Paulin and Bayle help Honda youth in the 150 Championship
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This weekend saw young motocross riders attend the Honda 150 European Championship training camp in Albaida, Spain, to receive training and guidance from the Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin and Jean-Michel Bayle in preparation for the season start next month in Italy. Across the two days the riders were able to get to grips with the four-stroke CRF150R with track time alongside series coach Gordon Crockard and Pata Honda world super sport rider Kyle Smith. The two trainers took the riders round the track in small groups to help them improve their riding style, lap time and bike position. Team HRC sporting manager Bayle and Team HRC MXGP rider Paulin also joined Crockard and Smith on the track to help guide and advise the youngsters. Throughout the weekend the two Frenchmen were on hand to answer any questions the riders had and took two production bikes (a CRF250R and a CRF450R) round the track on the Saturday evening to show the kids their riding style and the lines they would take. Spanish motocross rider Jorge Zaragoza was also present on the Saturday to share his experience with the riders. To ensure that the riders received a complete training package, a fitness assessment and sports psychology session was given by the FIM Europe. The physical assessment saw the riders tested on strength and keeping the correct position on the bike, while the second test was to assess their core stability and their ability to manage the imbalance. The next time that these youngsters will ride their CRF150Rs together will be next month at the first European round of the MXGP World Championship in Trentino, Italy. For more photos and video, visit www.facebook.com/Honda150EuropeanChampionship The Honda 150 European Championship is designed to provide young riders between the ages of 11 and 14 with four-stroke experience and prepare them for riding in European championships and World Championships. The winner of the championship will receive a 2016 Honda supported ride in the European 250 championship. |
Gautier Paulin 21
“It’s good that these guys can start riding the four-stroke really early because it’s important now if you want to go on to the European championship, EMX250, and then riding in the World Championship as you cannot ride two-stroke here. It’s good that Honda do this and to have the kids getting used to it and have a longer view for the future.”
Jean-Michel Bayle
“When I was a kid all I dreamt about was being a Honda factory rider. It’s very important for the kids to have this kind of goal and when you can share one weekend with the best in the world in the sport, for the kid it’s unbelievable. All year they are going to think about this weekend and that’s going to help them to get better and better. It’s very great to see this with Honda.”
