Basically a hardpack surface with a littering of sloppy sand plonked on top the single-line nature of the damp Uddevalla track made passing difficult and good starts critical. Not renowned for making the best starts it’s not surprising that Leok had a tough time of it in moto one when passing was more or less impossible without making contact.

Starting 10th Tanel lost a place to series-leader David Philippaerts when he made a small rider error before finding a better rhythm and using his superior physical fitness to power through to ninth.

A better start in moto two saw Tanel third on the opening lap but after touching the second placed rider’s rear wheel and crashing, Tanel was left at the back of the pack with a whole heap of work to do.

Charging like only the Estonian knows how, Leok came from last to 10th setting some of the fastest laps of the race on the way even though he was fighting through traffic. Unlucky not to score more points on the day Tanel slips one place – to eighth – in the World Championship standings.

“The first race wasn’t so good for me and I found it difficult to pass as the track was so one lined and I wasn’t riding so well – I found it hard to get a good rhythm,” said Tanel. “The track wasn’t nice to ride in the first heat, it didn’t get rough and in the corners you had to slide because it was so hard underneath. I finished ninth and that’s not good for me, I can do much better than that but you need a good start on a track like this.

“I was third from the start in moto two which was much better but then on the first lap Barragan tried to pass Nagl and he cut to the inside where I was already headed to and I hit his back wheel because I couldn’t stop on the slick surface and I crashed – it could have happened to anybody. That meant I had to come from the back with bent handlebars. My speed and conditioning was good and the track was drier but more technical which made it easier to pass. I was able to climb to 10th place but I know I can do better – it was a shame about the crash.”

Sharing in his teammate’s bad luck Manuel Priem scores a pair of 17th place finishes – far from what the super-fit Belgian is capable of. Unable to pass on the one-lined circuit in moto one, the second race is going much better for Manuel who shows more aggression and a quicker pace until he crashes out of 11th place on lap 15.

“The first race today really wasn’t good for me and I was stuck behind Tom Church for the whole race. I tried everything I could to get around him - I tried the inside, I tried the outside and I just couldn’t get by because there was only one good line. I made one mistake and he got away from me and even though I was able to catch him again quickly I couldn’t find a way around.

“The second race was much better and I was riding with much more aggression. I pulled through to 11th and then 10 minutes from the end I made a mistake. I was coming out of a corner and my front wheel slid away – it was a pretty hard crash. My bike was still running but my clutch lever was bent down and the steering wasn’t in line either. I was able to get going again but I finished 17th again.

“I’m a bit disappointed by today’s results but I know I can do much better in the upcoming races. My speed and aggression is improving all the time and the bike is working very well indeed – I just need it all to come together now so I can show everyone what I’m capable of.”

The 10th round of the FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship is the Grand Prix of South Africa held at Nelspruit – which is a brand new venue for word championship motocross – on July 20.