Second for Paulin in MXGP of Mexico qualifying
Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin finished today’s qualifying race in second position, and the Frenchman is feeing strong on the Honda CRF450RW at the track at which he took victory last year.
From the start, he and teammate Evgeny Bobryshev settled into a rhythm in second and third respectively, the Russian having made some great progress through the field in the opening corners.
From then on, Paulin looked very comfortable in second, pacing himself and doing what he needed to secure his gate pick for tomorrow. Bobby was also running strongly in third and it was looking increasingly like a Team HRC 2-3, until he was struck by arm-pump in the middle stages of the race and slipped back through the field to finish in sixth.
Nevertheless, both riders have respectable gate picks for tomorrow, when the nature of the track may change drastically anyway if the forecast storms arrive. The rain held off today in the Leon region of Mexico, meaning the ground dried hard, but if the downpours come tomorrow, the races could be a lottery.
Roger Harvey
“It was a good day today for both guys. Gautier rode well to a solid second which is great for tomorrow, and it’s a shame that Bobby had a bit of arm pump, but he made a good start into third and was running strongly until mid-distance. The start position is not so critical tomorrow, so for both guys good starts and they can be in the mix. The altitude is having an effect here, but it’s the same for everyone and there are a few things we can work on to help improve the bikes more for tomorrow.”
Gautier Paulin 21
“I was riding easy today and I had a good feeling. Romain was a little faster but I could push more, so I’m feeling great. The track was a little bit one line today, but I think you can still make passes. Tomorrow the conditions should be different if the rain comes, but we’re feeling fine, so no problem.”
Evgeny Bobryshev 777
“I made some good passes in the first corners to come out in third. From the middle, I got bad arm pump in my right arm though. I felt like my arm was blocked and I couldn’t control the bike so I had to slow down and many guys passed me. A few laps from the end I got better feeling again, but it wasn’t enough. Sixth is still fine for tomorrow – I just need another good start and I know I have the pace. Tomorrow will be better for sure – I missed a little riding in the last week, and there’s maybe a bit of altitude effect, so I just needed today’s riding and I’m sure tomorrow I’ll be fine.”
Top ten
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
|---|
Location Information
Parque Ecológico Metropolitano de León, Mexico - View in Google Maps
