The 24MX Honda Racing team and their MXGP colleagues travel to Arco di Trento, (northern Italy) this weekend for the fourth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The scenic Arco di Trento track also marks the first leg of the 2014 European tour.
With a convincing win in the French MX Elite at Gueugnon Xavier Boog underlined how well he’s adapted to his Honda CRF450R machinery. However the fast Frenchman is not satisfied with his current 12th place in provisional World standings. Like most of his countrymen Boog feels more at home on hard-pack terrain so both Trentino and the following GP of Bulgaria should suit him.
Xavier’s team mate Jens Getteman continues his recovery from a wrist injury sustained in the GP of Qatar. Getteman will make his return on the bike this weekend and aims to be behind the gate again for the Dutch GP in Valkenswaard. For the MXGP of Trentino Getteman will be replaced by the Swedish wildcard rider Filip Thuresson. Thuresson, a 22-year old Swede from Uddevalla, is committed to the German ADAC Series but wants to make the best of his one-off GP appearance.
Xavier Boog: “I took this weekend off to be fully rested for the European tour. That was the best decision although I would have loved to race the French MX Elite in Romagné. We found out that I was probably dehydrated in the 2nd Brazilian moto and that’s why I felt completely empty. On Monday after Beto Carrero I suffered headaches like you normally do after a night of partying, all symptoms of the dehydration in this case! And coming back there was some jetlag to deal with as well.
Anyway I am fully fit again now though, and I’m very motivated for the following rounds. Arco di Trento is quite a special place. It’s a bit compact, but the background is amazing and I love racing there. With the lay-out, the hard surface and the stones it might as well be a French track! Last year I had a solid race there, I finished eighth. Again the start will be the key this weekend. My jump from the gates is good, so I know I can be up there with the front runners.”
Filip Thuresson: “After my shoulder surgery last year it’s been a while since I did a big race. I returned to action at the DM Open in Schnaitheim last weekend but it was more about getting some race rhythm because I was very jet lagged after flying back from the US!
For sure Arco it will be very different but I’m super stoked on the opportunity to race and I know my fitness and speed on the bike are ok. From what I’ve seen on TV and internet the Trentino GP should fit my style and I’m sure I’ll adapt to the bike quickly as well. I’m used to riding the CRF450R and this winter I rode a lot in the US. I had fun racing a couple of rounds in the Muscle Milk TWMX Winter Cup Series but I know I’ll need to bring my A-game this weekend to go up against the MXGP riders who have 3 GP’s behind them already. But I’m not going to Italy just to be a part of the experience, my goal is to score points in both motos! I want to thank 24MX Honda Racing for this unique chance, Patrik Erlandsson from Honda Sweden for bringing me in contact with the team and last but not least thanks to KMP Honda for allowing me to do this wildcard GP.”
Profile Filip Thuresson
Bike: Honda CRF450R, GP of Italy wildcard number: 251
Nickname: Filibang
Hometown: Uddevalla
Height: 1 m 85 cm
Weight: 82 kg
Date of Birth: July 13, 1991
Age: 22
Nationality: Swedish
First Grand Prix: 2007 MX2 GP of Sweden, Uddevalla
RESULTS
2013: injured (shoulder)
2012: Swedish MX1 champion, qualified for the evening show in the 6 AMA SX rounds he rode
2011: 3rd in SX Herning
2010: injured, 6th in ADAC SX Chemnitz
2009: Swedish MX2 champion, member of the Swedish MX of Nations team
2008: Swedish MX2 champion, member of the Swedish MX of Nations team
2007: 5th in Swedish MX2 championship, 7th in ADAC MX2, member of the Swedish MX of Nations team
Best GP result: 21st in Swedish MX2 GP, 2008
Best GP moto result: 16th in Swedish MX2 GP, 2008
Best UEM MX2 result: 7th in Bulgaria (2009)
Best UEM MX2 moto result: 3rd in Holland (2009)