Team HRC look to continue winning ways in Spain
After coming away from the Netherlands with a double win at the GP of Europe, Team HRC will be looking to continue this good form in Spain this weekend.
Gautier Paulin will be heading to Spain confident that another good result could be on the cards. Although the Frenchman hasn’t ridden the Talavera track since 2007, he is looking forward to the challenge of a ‘new’ track and to see what the return to hard pack brings.
After compressing his back just before the GP of Europe, Evgeny Bobryshev is going into this weekend with renewed vigour and aiming for that elusive podium finish. The past few events have seen the popular Russian rider come close with a qualifying win and race one podium in the Netherlands.
Currently, Gautier Paulin and Evgeny Bobryshev sit 4th and 6th in the rider standings respectively. Coming off the back of a successful weekend, the Team HRC riders will be looking to close the gap to those at the top of the standings.
First used in 1994, the Talavera de la Reina track made a return to the MXGP calendar last year after a short hiatus. The Spanish track signals a return to the hard pack surface that will feature heavily in this European section of the calendar.
On track action starts with Free Practice on Friday and concludes with the two MXGP races on Sunday at 1415hrs and 1710hrs local time.
Roger Harvey
“After the success in Valkenswaard, we moved on immediately on Sunday night to focusing on Spain and continuing the momentum we’ve been building especially since Arco. The week break was very welcomed after the enormous amount of work the team has been doing around the last two races. Talavera is a hard-pack track which is more open and flowing than Arco and should suit both Bobby and Gautier well.”
Gautier Paulin 21
“I went home after Netherlands and took a few days of rest, then came back to Italy and continued training. I was last riding in Talavera in 2007 so it was a long time ago, but I can see from the videos that last year it was very hard. For me though, I’m happy to be going back to a ‘new’ track as that’s always fun. We go with the same objective – to give all I can. We’ll see what level we’re at on Saturday. We’re not 100 per cent on hard pack yet, but I think we’re pretty close. I want to take a step higher than Arco, but we go there with the confidence from Valkenswaard, so I’m looking forward to see what Talavera brings.”
Evgeny Bobryshev 777
“Last year in Spain I was coming back from injury but still I had a not bad first race, but this year I am in a different position and am looking for much more. I’m feeling strong, especially after five days of rest after Valkenswaard after I compressed my back. I had some therapy and it’s now feeling much better. The track in Spain is quite ok, but there are again a lot of classes so we’ll have to focus on the track as it could become bumpy and tough. I’m feeling good and strong, and a podium is definitely possible.”
Location Information
CM-4102, 45600 Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain - View in Google Maps
