Fernandez and Lata both put in podium efforts for Czech qualification

The Honda HRC duo of Ruben Fernandez (MXGP) and Valerio Lata (MX2) finished third and second respectively in their Czech GP qualification races, showing that the muddy conditions were no match for their Honda machinery.

For Fernandez, this was on-board a prototype Honda CRF450R, that he’d only tested for a couple of weeks since the MXGP of Finland. Straight away in the first session, it was apparent that the bike belonged in the world championships and with Fernandez improving throughout the day – despite the rain falling – the bike looked better and better. After ninth in free practice, the track got wetter and wetter, but the #70 upped his game to get fourth gate-pick after timed practice. Then he made some good moves in the first half of the lap to come out in fourth in the qualifying race. He tried everything to get into third but the one-lined nature of the muddy Loket terrain seemed to stop any pass attempts, however as the last lap board came out, he forced his way past and got himself a third place in a very impressive debut race for the prototype.

Thankfully the weather forecast is better for tomorrow, where he’ll be looking to put together two strong rides and really try and show-off the capabilities of this new CRF450R and repay all the hard done by the Honda engineers and technicians.

It was a similar performance from Lata in the MX2 class, with the power of the Honda CRF250R on full display, as the #18 nearly got the holeshot. Instead, he slotted into second place, which is where he remained for the whole of the muddy, slippery qualification race. It was an excellent ride from the youngster and he’s full of confidence for the GP-scoring motos tomorrow.

MX2 Qualification Race
1. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), 25:00.296; 2. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:06.500; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:08.517; 4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:09.581; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.940; 6. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:47.651; 7. Julius Mikula (CZE, TM), +1:09.668; 8. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +1:20.935; 9. Jens Walvoort (NED, KTM), +1:26.560; 10. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +1:33.083;