The Honda World Motocross team is heading into its first of two home rounds for the Italy based squad in Arco Di Trento with mixed feelings as rider Evgeny Bobryshev has collected an injury during practice going into round four of the MX1 World Championship, while teammate Max Nagl has improved in fitness again.
Last time out Bobryshev holeshotted both races in The Netherlands and the 25-year-old Russian racer went on to take his first podium finish in over a year, which he was hoping to carry forward to the Trentino round.
Arco di Trento is a new track on the Grand Prix calendar and the team has been training this week, as well as testing, on the harder ground in preparation for the race. It was during this training that Bobryshev caught his foot while riding at the hardpack ground of Faenza and twisted it, resulting in a badly sprained ankle. Bobryshev is currently receiving medical attention and will attempt to race at the weekend.
Teammate Max Nagl put on a fighting performance in Valkenswaard, as he overcomes his sickness and injury that has prevented him from riding the bike for much of the pre-season. Nagl finished fifth overall, although he admits his race pace is not yet at its full potential to compete with the front runners of the series.
The German racer has spent a lot of time on the bike in the past week and has an even better feeling, especially with small adjustments made with the Showa suspension on the harder ground, which has motivated the Honda pilot to get closer to a podium finish this weekend aboard his Dunlop-shod CRF450R.
The weather forecast is good for the Northern Italy track in more bearable temperatures than the recent races.
Evgeny Bobryshev #777:
“After Valkenswaard my feeling has been really good and we’ve done some training on the harder ground. At the beginning of the week my riding was going really well and my speed was excellent, so we were optimistic of what we might achieve this weekend. Unfortunately on an out lap during training yesterday, when I was only going fairly slow, I caught my foot hard on the ground in a rut, and badly sprained my ankle. It is so frustrating to be in this situation, as it’s really painful, and we are not sure at this stage if I can race. I will try on Saturday to see how things are and then go from there, but the recovery time shouldn’t be too bad, which I guess is the positive thing. It is going to be a tough weekend but I will do my best.”
Max Nagl #12:
“Things have gone really well since Valkenswaard. I had some good time training in Belgium following the race and although it was very cold with some snow, I was pleased that at least we could train. On Monday of this week I went over to Italy and I have had the chance to train with the team in the last few days, which has been good for improving my feeling on the bike. We made some very small adjustments on the suspension and finally we have had some nice weather, which is good. My riding is improving every time I’m on the bike, and I feel much closer to being where I want to be. If I can achieve the results this weekend roughly the same as in Valkenswaard then with a bit of luck I’d be happy with the outcome. I rode in Arco di Trento a long time ago, but I don’t remember anything about the track, so there’s no advantage there. We may do a little more training today on the bike and some physical training, then I’ll have physio before heading to the race.”