With two weekends free from MXGP action, the riders spread out across the UK and Europe to compete in their chosen championships. The famous ‘Mantova Starcross’ took place in Mantova, Italy with Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin reigning supreme. Over in England, it was a good day in the office for HM Plant KTM UK’s Shaun Simpson and Mel Pocock with both riders wrapping up the opening round of the British Championship in Landrake, while the first round of the Dutch Championship also took place in Emmen, The Netherlands with the domination of Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff.
Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team’s Gautier Paulin has been on fire so far this year and has just backed that up with his victory at the Mantova Starcross in Mantova, Italy. Settling for second, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World’s Clement Desalle won the opening moto, but was forced to settle for two second place finishes in the final two races for second overall, while his Rockstar Energy Suzuki World teammate Kevin Strijbos put in three consistent third place finishes for third ahead of TM Ricci Racing’s Tanel Leok who was also riding consistent for three fourth place finishes for fourth.
At round one of the British Championship in England, they run a three-race format for both MX1 and MX2 classes. In MX1 (the British Championships’ equivalent to the MXGP class) Simpson took two victories and a third, to wrap up the win ahead of fellow MXGP rider, Wilvo Forkrent KTM’s Jake Nicholls. Meanwhile in MX2, Simpson’s HM Plant KTM UK teammate Mel Pocock, proved consistency is key, with his second, second, third scores ahead of Wilvo Forkrent KTM’s Matiss Karro who actually won the opening two moto’s but let the overall slide through his fingers with only a seventh in the third and final race. Nonetheless, Karro still finished on the second step of the podium, with Pocock taking the overall victory.
In Emmen, The Netherlands, the first round of the Dutch Championship, also known as the ‘ONK’, there was a stellar MX2 line up with the likes of Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff and Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing’s dynamic duo Romain Febvre and Aleksandr Tonkov all lining up to test their sand skills.
Maintaining that same good form he’s proved to have in the opening rounds of the FIM MX2 World Championship, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff couldn’t ask for a better start to the Dutch Championship with his 1-1 score for the overall victory. Coming in second equal, both Wilvo Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing riders Romain Febvre and Aleksandr Tonkov tied on forty points, although it was Febvre who stood on the second step of the podium due to his second place finish in the final race. Tonkov posted two consistent third place scores for third. Meanwhile, Kemea Yamaha Racing’s Petar Petrov looked to be hauling this weekend in Emmen, coming through the pack after a bad start in moto one to impressively cross the line second in the opening race. Another bad start in moto two saw the Bulgarian wonder fighting through the field once again on a super gnarly Emmen circuit, but was soon catapulted off his bike after getting squirly on a jump face at speed. Petrov did eventually remount, but was clearly a bit shaken up, meaning he would only come home in twenty-third.
By: Nikki Scott