Check out some comments from the two international motocross races over the weekend. Italy and France enjoyed some great racing, while the weather wasn’t always impressive, but that’s Europe in February.

Tim Gajser: I mean, I felt really good all day, and it started good and we had a good setup. A good start in the first one was important, and the second one was the same, but Adamo closed everyone and we almost crashed, but I rode some good lines, and I made a small mistake at the end, but we have another month before we start the world championship. I think Ruben was behind me and close and I was pushing, but still, it’s a preseason race and then I made a nice gap from seven seconds and when the crash came, I had to push again, but it was all good.

Tom Vialle: It was a while since I raced here and it was weird to get used to the track. We need to work on some things before Argentina and we need to improve. A new bike and new team, I am happy. The track was really rough, and I had fun all day.

Jeffrey Herlings: Not the Honda HRC debut I was hoping for. First moto I got a stone between the sprocket and chain and after it took almost a lap to get it out, I managed to eleventh and the second moto I got third. Need to get back some race intensity, and I still look a bit rusty so it’s good to get some races in. The team did a great job; it was brutal day for the bike. Poor performance from my side after all the work we have put in. But looking forwards to the next gate drop in seven days again. Thank you to all my partners.

Romain Febvre: “Overall it was a good day. The track was perfect for the first race, and I had a nice duel with Lucas. I rode two good races, but then in the third one the track was really cut up, and it was easy to make a mistake. I know my preparation is not completely advanced as the goal is to be ready at the opening GP next month, but today I saw that the speed is there, the starts are good, and we worked hard this winter so I can say that we are already on a good way.”

Pauls Jonass: “The track was really heavy and the mud super-sticky in the second and third motos, but I had three good races; it was a pity about the small crash in the second race but I finished on the podium and I was really happy with the feeling on the bike. The starts were really positive too and I’m looking forward to the next races; we saw today that the hard work in the winter is paying off.”

Mathis Valin: “I had a really good feeling in the dry this morning to post third-fastest time amongst the 450s but then it started to rain in the afternoon. It’s never easy at the starts together with the 450s and I had to stop for fresh goggles in the first moto – there are many rocks here and you can’t risk racing without good vision – but I found a good rhythm to come back to sixth. At the second start I fell down when Tonus went on me, and I pulled out after another crash to focus on the last moto. My start was good, but it was getting more like enduro after raining all afternoon so my googles got filled in again. But our season has started and we can look forward to a successful year.”

Alberto Forato: “A great start to the season with a podium at the Internazionali d’Italia! We couldn’t really have expected this result, especially as I am coming back from an injury and the bike is still quite new to me. But consistency and hard work have paid off, and I am really happy about that. We are only at the beginning, but I already feel good on my Fantic and with the new team. Now it’s back to work, and we hope to continue like this. Thanks to everyone for the great support!”

Jago Geerts: "It was a positive day. In the first race I finished fourth after fighting until the end for the third position. In the second race I had a fantastic start and after holding to the second position in the first two laps, I made too many mistakes and lost positions. A crash made me lose more ground. I think I collected less than what was within my reach, but it is positive that we improved compared to last weekend."

Alexis Fueri: "The weekend started in the best way. The feeling was good right away and I set the fifth fastest time in timed practice. In the first race I started very well and finished fourth. My forearms got stiff, but the final result was very positive. In the second race I crashed at the start and hit my arm hard, the one I injured last year. The pain was strong and I preferred to retire. In the coming days I will undergo some checks in France, but I can't wait to get back to work."