Red Bull KTM rider Marvin Musquin came back from his forced rest with a stunning victory at todays qualification race for the MX2 class. In the MX1 class it was Clement Desalle who took vicory ahead of comeback rider Steve Ramon and Josh Coppins.
Under very warm conditions and around a rougher than rough Lommel circuit Musquin looked brilliant as he swept to victory ahead of Davide Guarneri, Rui Goncalves, Joel Roelants, Dennis Verbruggen, Nikolai Larson, Nicolas Aubin, Loic Larrieu, Manuel Monni and Marcus Schiffer.
Germany rider Ken Roczen looked really strong in early morning practise, however he failed to finish the qualifier, claiming 35th position and a terrible gate pick for tomorrow. Same story for American Zach Osborne who finished in 28th place.
Second place in the series Gautier Paulin was also in trouble, struggling in the conditions as he finished in 34th place. Jeremy Van Horebeek was also a long way back in 36th position.
The MX1 race was a torrid affair early as Max Nagl led from Ken De Dycker, Clement Desalleand Steve Ramon. What made this interesting was the fact rumour says those three riders will battle for the two spots on the Teka Suzuki team.
Positions changed often as first De Dycker found a way past Nagl, then Desalle followed and Ramon also got around Nagl. De Dycker crashed, handing Desalle the lead as he dropped back to seventh position. Back in the pack Cairoli had worked his way up from 13th on lap one to fifth on lap seven, although crashed out dropped back to 21st place.
Cairoli finished in 21st place, while defending World MX1 Champion David Philippaerts finished in 31st place, both might struggle tomorrow as a good start in Lommel is very important. Philippaerts was caught in the start gate, then pulled out on the first lap.
MX1 Qualification race: 1. Clement Desalle, 2. Steve Ramon, 3. Josh Coppins, 4. Max Nagl, 5. Tanel Leok, 6. Ken De Dycker, 7. Kevin Strijbos, 8. Manuel Priem, 9. Matteo Bonini, 10. Gareth Swanepoel
MX2 Qualification race: 1. Marvin Musquin, 2. Davide Guarneri, 3. Rui Goncalves, 4. Joel Roelants, 5. Dennis Verbruggen, 6. Nikolia Larson, 7. Nicolas Aubin, 8. Loic Larrieu, 9. Manuel Monni, 10. Marcus Schiffer
Rider comments
Clement Desalle comments
Yes sure, I am satisfied and it's important, but tomorrow more important. I had a good start and didn't ride at all this week after my trip to America. There is a chance to stay in the front and it's going to be hard for a lot of riders. I am a good rider in the sand and all winter I ride in the sand, so sand isn't a problem.
I am happy with my trip to America, I wanted to see for myself and I could see for myself. I wanted to do it, and so many things to do to be good in the race. The level in America they are really fast in the first two laps, but the level is okay, here it is also fast. I was third there, riding easy and the same speed of Chad Reed, so the level is similar. It is good to show what I can do, and with the condition I had there I know what I have to do there if I was to go again.
Marvin Musquin comments
For sure I am very happy to be coming back, I feel good now and its all good with KTM and me I made a good start and passed some riders and did good laps times and it felt good on the sand. Gautier was fast, but in the sand it's difficult to be in the sand, Rui Goncalves was fast, but I think Gautier Paulin wasn't good today because the sand is difficult. For sure I want to do the same race as today, i like the new track, it is really soft and a little bit slippery, and I was training in the sand last week and the bike is really good, and everything is okay with me.
Steve Ramon comments
Of course it is good to be back riding GPs and it's tough, first GP in Lommel, today riding was good and timed practise I struggled a little and we made some changes for the race and the riding was going well. The first two or three weeks were really had in my recovering, the first two weeks were boring, but after three weeks I was cycling again and jogging and swimming. I have been riding a lot with the bike, so I am in good shape, but for tomorrow I don't know what to expect.
Shaun Simpson comments
I have been training on the bike again the last week, it's been three months off, so that is a long time for me. I have a few weeks before Lierop, and I will come back there. I hope to come back strong and I am loving being on the bike and it's a great feeling being back on the bike. For sure I am looking forward to Brazil, and also Lierop. I am excited to race in Brazil, I have never been there before. I hope to be up front with these guys, but I am positive I can race with them and go into next year with more confidence.
I spoke to Mark Eastwood (British Motocross of Nations team manager) and he said he would like me in the team, it's a few weeks after Lierop and Brazil, so I hope I can get picked and we will have a good team again.
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