Absolutely Feb-ulous
By TMX Archives on 3rd Jun 15
French perfection for home hero Romain
Matterley Basin moto winner Romain Febvre rocked the MXGP world elite for the second weekend in succession as he swept the factory Yamaha to overall victory in his home GP at Villars-sous-Ecot.
But as the world series approaches the midway mark it's looking increasingly likely that Mattighofen will sweep both classes for the sixth consecutive year as the brutal track close to the Franco-Swiss frontier claimed a notable victim in Clement Desalle.
With another sterling show Shaun Simpson has strengthened his hold on seventh in the world while Max Anstie is now secure in the MX2 top 10 after a solid performance and there were also points for both Ben Watson and Adam Sterry.
"It's amazing to win my home GP in my rookie year,” said Febvre after proving himself fastest man on show all weekend.
His 47-point haul has lifted the Yamaha newbie to fourth in the table, just 50 points down on red plate holder Max Nagl.
But with Jeffrey Herlings leading MX2 by 112 and Nagl and Tony Cairoli now running 1-2 in the MXGP points for Husky and KTM, the Austrian factory can already lay plans to hang more diplomas on the wall after the growing threat from Desalle evaporated.
The Belgian's tale of woe began in timed training as he landed on his shoulder in the final minutes and the injury was delivered a further blow on the opening lap of qualification as the Suzuki rider touched with a rival and was struck a violent blow by the chasing Nico Aubin.
Desalle withdrew on Sunday after just one lap as yet more drama unfolded.
"Two can play if he wants to play games like that,” spat out a furious Nagl directly after a hard-fought ride from 11th to sixth.
Cairoli, eighth to the gate after a rock had damaged the fuel cap on Saturday, had parked himself next to his remaining points rival and ruthlessly took advantage of a bad start by the German. "My fault that I gated slowly but he cut across me within 10 feet of the gate,” he said.
FOR FULL REPORT & PICTURES SEE TMX NEWS, THURSDAY, JUNE 4 (ISSUE 1974)
