MX Diary: Quali crash sidelines home hero Paulin
By Team TMX on 8th Jun 16
Gautier Paulin was ruled out of his home GP by a massive crash near the end of the qualification race after he had dominated from the start.
The Frenchman appeared to be looking for a new line on landing off a big jump but his front wheel caught a damp rut and he was thrown over the bars.
Clearly badly shaken and with his bike wrecked, Paulin could not continue and needed stitches above his right eye which swelled up during the evening.
"I had a good night of rest and this morning physically I feel fine but just I can't see properly with the swelling in my right eye,” he said. "I woke this morning and I really wanted to be on the bike. I did my routine, warmed-up and wanted to race. I went to see the medical team and they checked me and I'm fine, physically.
"There's no damage to my body and my eye is also fine but I just have the swelling above it from the impact. We discuss a lot with the team this morning and we all agreed that I will not race today.
"It's such a shame and I'm sorry for the team and for the fans but this is racing and it can happen. It was so good leading yesterday – being at the front again – especially with the French fans and I'm super-motivated for Matterley.
"I'll be back there for sure as they say the swelling will reduce in three to four days but just today it's impossible as I can't see fully.
"Yesterday I was riding to win and today I wanted to ride to win but my condition won't allow that. I'm gutted to not be able to race today as we had a really good chance this weekend but this is the only option.”
