Romain Febvre remains upbeat after fall costs him Belgian podium
By Press Release on 22nd Oct 20
Only a fall two hundred metres from the finish as he sought a sensational last-gasp victory cost Romain Febvre of the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team the podium he deserved at Lommel in Belgium.
The Frenchman had been restricted to 13th place in a rain-affected morning Qualifying at the 14th round of the FIM World MXGP Motocross Championship but he burst in action on the green KX450-SR Kawasaki when the gate dropped for the start of the opening moto.
Watch: MXGP of Limburg 2020 Highlights
Sweeping through turn one he immediately took third place and on lap two he advanced into second place and closed onto the rear wheel of the leader with the fastest lap of the race. A vital loss of momentum through the waves section then saw him surrender a place and he had to be content with third but, fully aware that the second race would be even tougher and would decide the destiny of the overall victory, he regrouped for the second encounter.
Eighth through the opening turn he resolutely pursued the riders ahead of him and was already fifth by lap three, advancing to third by lap seven as he closed down the leaders at two-to-three seconds per lap.
Ready to pounce by lap ten he suffered a setback as the front wheel slid away in a soft sandy turn but was undeterred by the incident and by the start of the final lap once again had the leaders in sight. An overall podium finish was secure but the Frenchman wanted more and gambled everything on a dramatic attempt through the waves just a few hundred metres from the chequered flag. Carrying the speed to take him through as he leapt into the gnarly series of heavily-rutted waves his front wheel found a soft path of sand and he was thrown over the bars. He remounted quickly to cross the line fourth but the single loss of position pushed him down to fourth overall, surrendering third on the day only in a points-tie.
He has strengthened his hold on fifth place in the championship standings and is moving ever closer to fourth as the series heads to the final four rounds.
Romain Febvre: "I cant really say that the day went as I planned! In the first race I passed Gajser when he made a mistake but then he passed me back when I also made a mistake; then I had some arm-pump and lost contact with him but I could secure my third position."My second start wasnt so good. The first corner was quite unpredictable but I came back to third; then I had a crash which cost one position but I came back third behind Cairoli again and on the last lap I saw him make a mistake before the waves section. I tried to pass him but I crashed, losing one position and the podium; too bad but I have no regrets as I had to take the chance. Thats racing; lets hope that I will be able to put all the pieces together on Sunday."
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