Bobryshev cuts through the field to take sixth in qualifying for MXGP of France

After a start that saw him forced to the tail of the pack, Evgeny Bobryshev was back with his characteristic spirit and determination, fighting through the field from last to recover to sixth on his CRF450RW.

Team HRC’s No.777 rider didn’t make his recovery easy for himself though, with a small crash on the hard-pack track that slipped him back down the order giving him even more work to do. But in a demonstration of the return to fitness and strength he is now enjoying, Bobby was locked in battles right until the line, taking the chequered flag just 0.15 seconds behind fifth place.

Run under sunny skies and temperatures approaching 23 degrees Celsius, the track was in good condition and very fast today. Despite Bobby’s progress suggesting otherwise, passing was made difficult due to only a few possible lines through each corner and tricky patches of wet dirt and stones that caught a few riders out during the qualifying race.

The weather forecast is for more of the same tomorrow, when MXGP race one gets underway at 14:15 local time. The French fans were out in force today in support of their MXGP and local heroes, and more still are expected on race day in this immensely popular venue of Saint Jean d’Angely, just north of Bordeaux.