Following on from his second consecutive podium last Sunday, Evgeny Bobryshev is relishing in the challenge in front of his British fans at the penultimate round of the MX1 World Championship in Matterley Basin this weekend.
Bobryshev spent a year in the UK in his MX1 breakthrough season in 2010, in which he won the MX1 British title and gathered many fans along the way, so this weekend’s race is another special one for the 25-year-old Russian racer.
With a return to form of late including two consecutive podiums, Bobryshev is looking forward to racing at the historic Matterley Basin track, which features an old-school layout, huge jumps and medium ground with some fast turns that should suit the Honda pilot, who had mixed results there last year.
With the recent good feeling he’s had on the harder ground, as well as the refinements made thanks to having the ability to test whilst injury-free aboard his Dunlop-shod factory CRF450R, Bobryshev is looking to maintain his consistency while finding the next level in speed with the goal of being able to challenge for race wins as the season draws to a close.
Teammate Max Nagl will again sit out of proceedings for the third event in a row as he is recovering from the notorious Epstein-Barr virus.
There is a very mixed forecast this weekend with rain expected Saturday and sunny conditions on Sunday, and the British fans will also be able to enjoy the final showdown of the Honda 150 European championship, where Filippo Grigoletto and Mitchell Lewis head into the event on equal points.
Evgeny Bobryshev #777:
“I am happy with the result in Bastogne last weekend, as it’s the second podium in a row, and the work is really paying off; I feel we’ve proven that the speed and good riding is almost back now to where it should be. I’ve been working hard in the week, and we’ve done some more testing on Wednesday with Showa where we have found another step forward, so we now have to see how those improvements feel on another track. Coming into the weekend in the UK is always very exciting, as it’s a big festival at a nice track. The track is prepared well and the ground is good; there are big jumps and fast sections, which really suit my style. The only thing we are not sure about is how it will be with so many classes there racing over the weekend, as well as with the weather, but I love the British crowd, and I spent a year in the UK in 2010, so I have a lot of support from the fans. We are still without Max, and I want to say I hope he gets well soon, as it’s not the same without having a teammate, but I will do my best for the team this weekend.”