Toni Cairoli Blog
By TMX Archives on 10th Aug 10
Motocross Grand Prix of Lommel, Belgium 2010
Hey everybody,
After a long break for almost a month we had ourfirst GP - close by our second home in Belgium, 5 minutes from where Ilive when we are in Belgium! The weeks before the GP I trained a fewtimes in Lommel and I enjoyed riding in the sand again!
Saturday:I enjoyed the riding and the track, there were lots of lines, space andplaces to pass. I rode some good lap times in the free practice (1st)and the pre qualification practice (3rd). In the Qualification race Istarted from the inside and I had a top 10 start. On the first lap Iwas already in 7th position, and every lap I could pass a rider. When Ipassed Steve Ramon on lap four I made a stupid mistake in the cornerafter the pit-lane. I made a mistake pulling off my goggle tear-off,and I lost my balance and crashed. Steve passed me again and I was backin 4th position. Riding went great after that ... I passed Steve again,Evgeny Bobryshev made a mistake and 2 laps before the finish I passedTanel Leok and took first place the pole position for tomorrow!
Sunday:In moto 1 I didn't have such a good start. But I tried many other linesthan the rest of the riders in the first few corners - I was able topass a lot of them! David Philippaerts passed me after the finish jump,but I passed him back, and then was in second position behind Max Nagl.Just before finishing the first lap I passed Max and I was alreadyleading the race! I didn't give away the lead after that, but in theback of Max and me there where hard fights for the 3rd position. I didend up winning the moto.
In moto 2 I had a top 5 start, and Icame over the finish line in second position behind team mate Max Nagl.On the second lap I passed Max and was again leading. Max had a crashand then Steve had a crash, and I had a big gap over 2nd position.Really big : ) I was thinking to stop for a 'high five' at mymechanic's area! : )
With two moto wins, I won the overallGrand Prix as well, and extended my series points lead. I was reallyhappy with this GP victory. It was almost a perfect weekend for me(except from the stupid little mistake on Saturday in the qualificationheat : ) As a professional racer, a weekend like this gives you a greatfeeling. It helps so much to motivate yourself week by week to do itagain and again!
Thanks to my whole team, ... my team managerClaudio, ... my mechanics Nazzareno and Lino, ... my parents and mynephew Jerremy who were at the GP, ... my girlfriend Jill who is alwaysthere, and all the Fans who came all the way from Italy to see the GP,and also my Belgian and Dutch Fans!! GRAZIE MILLE!!
While I'mwriting this column I'm in the camper on my way to Loket, CzechRepublic for the next MX GP! Loket, not one of my favorite tracks..ButI ganna give myself again for more than 100% trying to get anotherpodium!!
Ciaooo,
TC
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