Read what a host of MXGP riders had to say about their weekend at the MXGP of Great Britain.
MXGP
Romain Febvre: “I actually had a really good jump in the first moto; the track was harder than I expected, and I had gone for a different tyre, so I missed something on the straight. I could come close to the guys at the front, but in the end, they had a little more pace in some places, so I couldn’t mount a challenge. We went back to my regular tyres for the second race and made some small changes to the suspension for race two and I had more traction. I took the holeshot, and that changed my life! I could ride free, take my own lines and control the race, even when Fernandez came back at me strong at the end. The top five guys can all match the speed of each other, so it is so important to start in front.”
Lucas Coenen: “I felt bad the whole weekend on track. I struggled big time on Saturday and didn’t feel the flow even today. I still need to get used to the 450 power! I had the holeshot in the first but had a fall and then tried to come back. I didn’t have the best start in the second and was pushed a bit wide. I was trying to pass for second, but it was a bit sketchy. We know what to work on. I’m happy to leave this GP healthy and looking forward to the rest.”
Glenn Coldenhoff: “It was a great weekend for me. I felt good, my bike was amazing, and I was able to fight with the top guys again – and even win a race! It had been a while, so taking the win meant a lot, and it was a huge moment for Fantic. They have put in so much effort this season, and it is paying off. I was confident heading into race two, but unfortunately, I didn’t get the best start. I kept fighting and pushed as hard as I could, but it was really difficult to pass. I honestly didn’t think that going 1-5 would be enough for the podium, so I am happy to be up there. It was an amazing race weekend for me, although it came with some very sad news off the track, as the mother of close friends of mine passed away. I would like to dedicate this podium to her.”
Ruben Fernandez: “I have to admit I’m a little disappointed not to get on the podium, considering how well I rode, especially in that second moto. Still, I am really pleased with that race, and it has given me a lot of confidence that I can start with those guys and run the entire moto at a really fast pace. I closed up to the leader a lot in those last few laps, and if I’d passed him, I’d have got on the podium. Now I have a couple of weekends off to get stronger for this next run of races.”
Jeffrey Herlings: “The win on Saturday was good, but with two or three laps to go in moto one, I messed it up. I was going for the lead but just made that mistake. In the second moto, the track was extremely difficult for passing. Almost impossible. 4-4, and today was not the greatest. We’ll try to come back hard in Finland. We’re sixth now and I’m aiming for third place. I think it’s still realistic and possible.”
Calvin Vlaanderen: “Solid points for me this weekend. No excuses, I just wasn’t fast enough today. My speed yesterday was better. This is something to work on, although I can’t be too disappointed as I haven’t been riding much since hurting my knee in Germany. My riding was good and I was consistent all weekend with very few mistakes, so that’s a positive. If I can find one second a lap, then I can be fighting for the podium, so that’s the focus going forward.”
Antonio Cairoli: “It was a very nice weekend here in Matterley Basin. We expected a better track yesterday, but it was in very bad condition. Plus, I had a little tip over in the pre-qualifying practice, and I banged up my knee a bit, which swelled up during the night. So today I wasn’t really pumped about my condition. But actually I was feeling better, and the track was more technical. And yeah, I got two okay starts. I expect to have better starts, but I was a bit too wide on the starting lane, but I could still fight for a good position. In the first moto, I finished P7, and in the second moto, I was P8, which gave me seventh overall. So it’s good – it’s positive. We are really happy about the riding, considering the knee problem.”
Jeremy Seewer: “Well, it wasn’t easy—without any starts today, overtaking was really difficult. I think even in the second moto, I’m not sure anyone actually made a pass. We worked our way in a better direction during the weekend, but like I said, the starts. I could have been 6-7 or maybe fifth in both motos if I started there, but if you are 10th at the start, maybe you finish ninth. But yeah, we are learning, we are trying, we are changing, we are improving and now a few weeks off, which will help us to regroup. We’ll keep grinding.”
Image: KTM
