Fernandez charge in vain as prototype CRF450R narrowly misses out on podium debut

Ruben Fernandez charged through the MXGP field, from last place all the way up to seventh, but it wasn’t quite enough as he finished fourth overall at the MXGP of the Czech Republic – the debut round for the new prototype Honda CRF450R.

The Spaniard rode excellently in race one, waiting patiently in fourth place for the majority of the race, before pouncing as the riders in front struggled to keep their momentum. He crossed the line in second place, following on from the third in yesterday’s qualification moto and showing evidence that the new bike can handle a dry Loket circuit, as well as wet one.

Hopes were high he could continue this string of results in moto two, but just as he looked to round the first bend, he got caught up with a bunch of other riders and had nowhere to go. He managed to just about stay upright, but by the time he got pointing in the right direction, he was right at the back of the field and facing an uphill battle to even score points, let alone think about overall standings. However, despite the hard-pack Loket being as difficult to pass on as ever, the #70 scythed through the field and was amazingly in 13^th by the time they completed the first full lap. After six more laps he was inside the top 10 and he kept pushing until the last lap, moving into seventh by the time he received the chequered flag. It was a valiant effort, and definitely one he can be proud of despite missing out on the podium by two points. Now, he has the deep sand of Lommel to prepare for, which will provide another tough testing ground for the prototype to negotiate.

In the MX2 class, Valerio Lata showed that his Honda CRF250R is up to speed off the line, almost grabbing a second moto holeshot as he slotted in with the lead pack. Unfortunately in both races, he wasn’t able to match their speed and had to drop back, eventually finishing up with eight-ten results for 10^th overall. The Italian was definitely hoping for more, especially after his second place yesterday, but it is still a learning year for the youngster and he knows that he has to keep fighting and try and prepare himself for each challenge as best he can.

MX2 Race 1
1. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), 33:58.976; 2. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:16.549; 3. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:21.341; 4. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +0:28.021; 5. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:29.374; 6. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:34.396; 7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:39.983; 8. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:47.753; 9. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:54.650; 10. David Braceras (ESP, Honda), +0:59.949;

MX2 Race 2
1. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 33:59.404; 2. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:07.559; 3. Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:10.871; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:15.232; 5. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:26.131; 6. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +0:27.511; 7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:27.822; 8. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +0:45.497; 9. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:49.087; 10. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +1:01.485;

MX2 GP Overall
1. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), 47 points; 2. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 41 p.; 3. Mathis Valin (FRA, KAW), 40 p.; 4. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 35 p.; 5. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 33 p.; 6. Guillem Farres (ESP, TRI), 33 p.; 7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 28 p.; 8. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 24 p.; 9. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Valerio Lata (ITA, HON), 24 p.; 

MX2 Championship
1. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), 665 points; 2. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 618 p.; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 606 p.; 4. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 520 p.; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 492 p.; 6. Liam Everts (BEL, HUS), 464 p.; 7. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 417 p.; 8. Valerio Lata (ITA, HON), 330 p.; 9. Guillem Farres (ESP, TRI), 306 p.; 10. Cas Valk (NED, KTM), 299 p.;