Goncalves second in Loket MX2 GP
By TMX Archives on 9th Aug 09
Red Bull KTM Factory racing's Rui Goncalves wrapped up a thrilling MX2 GP in Loket in the Czech Republic to finish with two third places for second overall and now moves to within 20 points of championship leader and team-mate Marvin Musquin in the title fight.
With just two rounds to go, the current championship is now delivering the same heart-stopping inter-team competition as those seen in the great on-track battles between 2008-KTM riders Tyla Rattray and Tommy Searle.
Goncalves satisfied but a tough weekend
Goncalves said he was happy with his weekend. "It was a good GP but a tough weekend when it comes to my physical condition," he said, adding that like his MX1 team-mate Max Nagl, he had been suffering from stomach cramps and nausea. "I managed to pick up a lot of championship points and it was nice to be on the podium. I was in front in the first moto then I made a small mistake and I lost the drive going uphill and Marvin went past me and I finished third. I didn't feel that good in the second race but I still managed to finish third so now I'm only 20 points behind Marvin. Overall it's has been a tough season because many people had written me off after the first few races but I'm still in with a good chance for the title. Now I'll concentrate on getting well and be very positive going to Lierop."
Tough day for Musquin
But while Rui had reason to celebrate, it was a hard day for the young Frenchman Musquin. After his last round double-moto triumph in the sand at Lommel, he looked all set for a top result when he slipped past Goncalves in the last lap of the first moto to finish second. He held his own with the race leaders in the second race and slipped into second place in the closing stages. Musquin then had to return to the pits with engine problems which bumped his teammate up to third. Musquin's 22 points from race one was enough for his ninth place overall but the young rider who was forced to miss two races in Uddevalla, Sweden was understandably disappointed.
Marvin Musquin: "Today I felt rather nervous and tense in the first moto so I took some time to finally be able to overtake Rui. Once I got past him I felt okay and I was very fast at the end of the race. I was more relaxed when I went out in the second heat. Everything went much better and I managed to go overtake Rui and Xavier Boog. But then I had engine problems and couldn't finish the race and that's very bad for the championships even though I understand that these things can happen in racing."
Best season's result for KTM junior factory rider Teillet
Also outstanding was the fifth place of the KTM Factory Junior Racing Team rider Valentin Teillet of France. Teillet, the runaway European Junior Champion in 2008 is making a strong comeback in his first season in the senior competition after missing three rounds mid season after surgery.
Valentin Teillet: "It was a very good weekend for me and I had a good feeling right from qualifying. I was seventh in qualifying and that was my best result for far this season so I was confident for the races. I had a great feeing for the bike, which also ahs some new suspension. I started quite well in the first laps of the first moto but then I got a bit tired and lost my rhythm. I finished sixth but that was still very good for me. I had a good start in the second race and I was in fifth place when Marvin had to pull out. That put me in fourth place and gave me my best results for the whole year. Now I will go to Lommel and train a lot in the sand because I want to have another good result in Lierop."
In all, KTM riders took eight of the top 12 places in the Loket MX2 GP in what was a good weekend for the Austrian manufacturer.
With just 100 points still up for grabs in the two outstanding rounds, the MX2 championship still wide. The competition reconvenes in the sand at Lierop in the Netherlands on August 30 with the two Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders currently the top title contenders. The final race is in Brazil on September 13.
Results MX2 GP
1. Gautier Paulin, France, Kawasaki, 18-25—43
2. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM, 20-20—40
3. Xavier Boog, France, Suzuki, 16-22—38
4. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki, 25-12—37
5. Valentin Teillet, France, KTM 15-18—33
Other KTM
6. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM, 12-14—26
9. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 22-0—22
10. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM, 6-15—21
11. Jake Nichols, Britain, KTM, 10-11—21
12. Stephen Sword, Britain, KTM, 13-5—18
MX2 Championship standings after 13 of 15 rounds
1. Marvin Musquin, France, KTM, 443
2. Rui Goncalves, Portugal, KTM 423
3. Gautier Paulin, France, Kawasaki, 415
4. Davide Guarneri, Italy, 373
5. Ken Roczen, Germany, Suzuki, 306
Other KTM
7. Joel Roelants, Belgium, KTM 248
11. Jeremy van Horebeek, Belgium, KTM
12. Marcus Schiffer, Germany, KTM, 172
13. Arnaud Tonus, Switzerland, KTM, 155
15. Anthony Boissiere, KTM, 147
17. Valentin Teillet, France, KTM 133
18. Jake Nicholls, KTM, Britain, 130
19. Stephen Sword, KTM , Britain, 105