Team HRC MXGP ease their way back into the championship
Taking to the Ottobianan sand for the first time today in the sweltering Italian heat, Tim Gajser #243 and Evgeny Bobryshev #777 lined up their CRF450RW’s for round 11 of the FIM world championship.
As the qualifying race began, Gajser had a good start and immediately positioned himself in third. The Slovenian, who has had little bike time since Ernée, took a few laps to get comfortable with the track but ended the race with a solid fifth place. This is a strong start to the weekend on a track where consistency is vital.
Bobryshev found the intensity of the heat a little more difficult to deal with but none the less, had a good start out of the gate. In the first corner, he found himself jostling with another rider, narrowly missing a bigger pile up as a result. Shaking it off, he settled back into the race and came in ninth place.
The first MXGP race starts tomorrow at 14h15 local time.
Tim Gajser 243
I am actually quite satisfied, quite happy with how today went because I haven't been able to train in the sand since I raced at Kegums. I just came here and thought I would give it my best shot. I was a bit stiff today as it has been such a long time since I rode in the sand but then I began feeling better and better with every lap. I had a good start in the qualification race and I got fifth overall. I am really looking forward to racing tomorrow.
Evgeny Bobryshev 777
Qualifying was really tough today. The weather here has been so hot today and it made the conditions more difficult. I had a good start in qualifying and then i bumped into a rider in the first corner and nearly went down but managed to pull back to seventh and after struggling a little bit I came in ninth. For me, ninth place was good for today. We need to change a few settings to make me feel more comfortable on the bike tomorrow in these conditions as I haven't had much riding time recently whilst I have been recovering. The weather is actually looking a bit cooler here tomorrow which will really help. I need to focus on the race and try to make a good result.
Roger Harvey
It has been a very reasonable start from both Tim and Bobby today. Bobby just got tangled up in the first corner with another rider but thankfully narrowly avoided the bigger accident that went on beside them. Tim is just easing his way back into racing, nice and steadily and it was a very sensible ride from him, I am pleased with the way that went. Bobby just found it a little bit more hard work than usual today as he is struggling with the temperature. I appreciate is the same for everybody and will hopefully be cooler tomorrow. Tomorrow they both just need a better start, more consistency and we will see some good results from them both.
Qualifying
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
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Rider standings
| Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Points | Team | Constructor |
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Location Information
Ottobiano, Province of Pavia, Italy - View in Google Maps
