Simpson struck down by mystery condition
By TMX Archives on 5th Jul 10
Red Bull KTM factory rider Shaun Simpson struggled for the third Grand Prix in a row as his body finally succumbed to a mystery condition that has haunted the twenty-two year old for most of the last month. Simpson will return immediately to Belgium for further tests tomorrow in an attempt to discover the cause of the condition that has left him constantly drained and suffering from severe fatigue each time he rides his bike. Despite absolute rest during the week prior to the Swedish GP, the fever like symptons returned as the young Scot faded each time out and was frustrated as he showed great speed throughout the weekend.
"In truth I have probably made things worse by trying to ride whilstfeeling like I do, but as a racer you just try to forget about it andall you want to do is to get out on the track and try and do your best.You expect to be tired after forty minutes of hard racing, but at themoment I can last for about fifteen to twenty minutes before I hit thewall. I have never felt like this before, so its difficult to say whatis exactly wrong. Hopefully some more in depth blood tests tomorrowwill point us in the right direction." Said a dejected Simpson.
The famous Uddevalla circuit with its rocky backdrop was unusuallydry and very fast as Saturday's programme got underway. Having notridden all week Shaun used free practice to feel his way back to speed,knowing that the track would become slower and rougher as the day woreon. Confirming his speed the KTM teamster held fifth spot inpre-qualiying practice with just two minutes to go, and eventuallyended the session in a respectable eighth position.
A good start in Saturday afternoon's qualifying race saw Shaun slotinto second place, a position he looked very comfortable in until halfrace distance. However as in recent weeks Simpson was unable tomaintain his charge and slowly faded as the race went on, crossing theline in a slightly disappointing sixth spot after such a strong openingfive laps. This was the first sign, that the twenty-two year old had amajor task on his hands with two forty minute encounters ahead of himon Sunday.
"After Saturday, I knew Sunday was going to be a case of damagelimitation, two top seven places was perhaps the best I could hope for,but that could be top ten or top five depending how things worked out.All I knew was to give myself any chance I needed to make two goodstarts, as it would be tough coming through the pack on a track wherethere were not so many lines." Explained Shaun.
After a short power nap, Simpson did exactly as he hoped and roundedthe first turn of the opening turn with daylight between himself andthe rest of the pack. Although his teenage team mate Herlings demotedhim to second spot before the end of the first lap Shaun slotted behindhim and looked in control on a track that had benefitted from heavyrain during the morning. Six laps in Simpson made his move and hit thefront again, a position he held before being forced off the track byFrossard two laps later. Shaun did his best to recover from this racingincident and crossed the line in an energy sapping ninth place.
Totally exhausted, despite having slept for nearly an hour betweenraces, Shaun knew he had little to give for the second moto, and thiswas clear to see as he quickly dropped from an initial fourth place toeighth after twenty minutes and then down to eleventh as the flag waswaved on the final MX2 clash of the day. Simpson's two gutsyperformances netted him tenth overall and leave him in sixth spot inthe general standings with five GPs remaining.
"I am really frustrated, as after coming back from injury I havejust got fully fit and got back up to speed and now this happens. Itcould not have come at a worse time as the schedule has been non-stopover the last few weeks. Thankfully we have now got three weeks off, soI am hoping we can get to the bottom of what is wrong, so I can be ingood shape for Lommel." Shaun ended.
Grand Prix of Sweden
MX2 Moto One: 1: Frossard 2: Herlings 3: Van Horebeek 4: Musquin 5: Gautier...9: Simpson
MX2 Moto Two: 1: Roczen 2: Frossard 3: Gautier 4: Herlings 5: Musquin...11: Simpson
MX2 Overall: 1: Frossard 47 2: Herlings 40 3: Gautier 36 ...10: Simpson 22
MX2 Championship to date: 1: Musquin 438 2: Roczen 355 3: Frossard 355...6: Simpson 268