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German GP - Rider Comments

German GP - Rider Comments

Jun 3

  • Interview

Jorge Prado: “It was a perfect weekend. I felt great all weekend long – the bike was great, and I enjoyed the track. We had so much rain on Saturday that track conditions were actually quite tough. It was easy to make mistakes; Tim and Jeffrey were always right behind me, so I couldn't afford any errors. I worked on my starts and just tried to push to the end of the race. I’m super happy and want to give a big thank you to the whole Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing Team. The championship lead is back, and the red plate is back! Latvia next – let’s get some good sand riding done there!”

Jeffrey Herlings: “My speed is getting better and better. We changed my set-up today and it was an improvement. I got unlucky with the lapped riders twice today but I guess they were having their own race! Anyway, 2-3 for 3rd: not bad. In the past I’ve left here a few times straight to the hospital and now I’m going home! It’s not my favorite track and there are some better ones for me coming up. We’re 3rd in the championship and it’s still a long season ahead. I’m proud of today but I’m hoping for a GP win at some point.”

Tim Gajser: It was a solid weekend of racing, winning the qualification race and then going three-two here. I’m a bit disappointed in the first race, getting arm-pump and not being able to push how I wanted but I was still third. And then race two, I was able to ride a lot better and was a lot closer to the lead but I couldn’t quite get close enough to make the pass. Still, the championship is very close and I am happy, and healthy and I’m looking forward to Latvia next weekend

Kay de Wolf: "I made a few mistakes in the second moto, but overall, it was a weekend full of positive vibes. We gained crucial points in the championship, which is what it's all about. The main goal is to maintain consistency every weekend and keep finishing as high as possible. Overall, I'm really happy with this weekend; I think, as a team, we showed great speed and only made a few minor mistakes, which we'll definitely work on. I'm really pleased and can't thank the team enough!"

Lucas Coenen: "It feels fantastic to get this result, especially here, to be honest. I was concerned we might struggle as we did last year, but now I've put that behind me. It was a perfect weekend. In the first moto, I had a great battle with my teammate Kay, and in the second moto, I aimed to do the same. He was ahead of me, so I pushed hard and wasn't sure if I could get past him. Then I saw him go down in a corner, which allowed me to overtake. It was an easier race from then on, but I'm just delighted to have another great weekend. We will keep building on these results, and I'm looking forward to Latvia."

Andrea Adamo: “Saturday was really good with a P2 and the first moto today was solid, nothing special with 4th. In the second moto I was feeling good and was attacking. I tried to pass for the lead and made a mistake. I got back to a podium position and another crash meant 6th and I struggled a bit then for flow. The track was compacted because of all the rain and the ruts were tight and not so round. Not the best…but it was the same challenge for everyone. We’ll regroup and try again in Latvia.”

Liam Everts: “Difficult weekend. P3 in quali was a decent result and I thought there was so more today and my speed was OK but the two crashes cost me time. Not much more to say but I didn’t perform my best. We’ll review what went wrong and look to bounce back next week.”

Sacha Coenen: “Not so good this weekend. I couldn’t find my rhythm in the wet. The track was really rough and I had a few tip-offs. I made my motos difficult! Too many mistakes…but the speed was good and I could recover a bit in the second moto.”

Simon Längenfelder: “Home GPs can always be challenging, but this was a good one for sure! I wanted to be higher up – but I’ll take two thirds! The crowd was amazing, and I enjoyed every single lap. To be honest, every single lap the crowds were cheering, and I could hear it above the engine noise on my bike! In the later stages of race two, I was fighting with Kay – he overtook me, but I managed to stay close. He made a few mistakes too, so I just kept chasing. It’s great to be on the podium at home. The track was great after so much rain, and I’m feeling very good – so I’m looking forward to Latvia now.”

Calvin Vlaanderen: “Overall, this weekend has been pretty good and I was really consistent. I was a little disappointed to crash in Race One though as that cost me second place. In Race Two I was third early on then Tim (Gajser) passed me. I really tried to stay with the top three then, but their pace was really high. I had no one close behind me so I just rode my own race and put some good points on the board. I’m happy with my riding so now it’s onto Latvia next weekend.”

Jeremy Seewer: "Luckily it wasn't quite as muddy this weekend as in Portugal and France but it was not easy in the conditions; the track was different every session with the weather continually changing - rai , no rain, and they were always out there with the bulldozer. All those tight corners made it tricky with the set-up; there was no flow. I was simply not satisfied with my first race, but the second was better; it was just a shame I had that small crash. Mentally it was frustrating because I am normally really strong on this type of track when the weather doesn't play tricks, but that's life."

Andrea Bonacorsi: “Besides Race Two, it’s been a good weekend. I got my first Qualifying Race points of the year yesterday and then seventh in Race One today. I had a really good jump off the line in Race Two but then there was a big crash in the first turn, and I couldn’t avoid it. I did what I could to get back in the points and now my focus will be to recover quickly for next weekend.”

Rick Elzinga: “It was pretty muddy this morning after the rain, but I don’t mind the mud and I was feeling good and placed third in Warm-up. In Race One I had a really good start but then I was shuffled back a little bit. I got into fifth and then there was a big gap to the leaders and a big gap behind me, so it was a little bit like a training moto to the end. For Race Two they had done a lot of work to the track and I made a few mistakes early on. I passed Andrea Adamo when he fell and then I held him off to the end so that was good. The intensity in Race Two was really high so I’m happy with my performance in that one.”

Marc-Antoine Rossi: "It seems that bad luck just won't leave me alone this year, unfortunately! I woke up on Saturday morning full of energy and good vibes, but during the qualifying race, I had a crash and injured my left knee. After consulting with the team, we decided it was best for me to sit out Sunday's race. Tomorrow, I'll undergo medical checks in France. Fingers crossed, I hope to be back on the track as soon as possible.”

Ferruccio Zanchi: Today was a much better day, riding consistently throughout in what were difficult conditions. Going eight-eight is a fair reflection of my speed and although I missed out on points in the qualification race, I am on a good run of form and each weekend is another chance to show everyone what I am capable of. And that starts in Latvia next weekend which will be a completely different challenge to this, as it is a lot softer and sandier but one that should be good.

Mikkel Haarup: “We’re wrapped up here in Germany and it’s been a good weekend. I had a solid qualifying race on Saturday with fourth and picked up some good points. Then in race one today I crashed early on, and then the track was really difficult after the rain we had. For the second moto I had a much better start as I started a litter further out on the gate and I had good speed all race. I felt great on the bike and all in all, I’m happy with my performance.”

Mattia Guadagnini: “I can be quite happy with today! I didn't feel great yesterday and couldn't find my flow, but I took the holeshot in the qualifying race and did my best to finish in a respectable 10th place. Today was much better; unfortunately, I had two really bad starts, but I managed two solid comebacks and can be satisfied with my riding and determination. Things are getting better and better, and soon we’ll be closer to the front.”

Mathis Valin: “This morning my goal was to have a podium result, but in the end, as Lata got a penalty, I won the GP. For sure I don’t like to win that way, but it’s good for the championship! I showed my speed again today and I did my best as always; the track was rough but I got a better start today and that was necessary in these conditions. I took the lead, but when Lata passed me I made a couple of mistakes and had to ride more calmly to finish second. Next up is Latvia; I won there last year in the 125s and I like this track so let’s go!"

Benjamin Garib: "I can take a lot of positives from this weekend. The second moto was muddy, and that is not what I am best at, but I made it happen; I was happy with my riding and stayed on two wheels. Latvia is a new track for me but I'm excited after two solid motos this weekend.”

Jack Chambers: "The first moto was good with no falls and riding smooth, but I still need to work on a few things; I feel like I'm riding too safe and cautious. I got a good start in tenth in race two and was making good progress but I made a mistake, fell and went back to nineteenth. I made some good passes to come back to fifteenth but the next guy was making crazy line-choices, all over the track. Eventually I almost passed but I hit him pretty hard and broke off my front brake lever so I had to ride the last three laps with no brake and my teammate passed me. I'm looking forward to Lavtia now; the track has more flow and speed, and that suits me."

Glenn Coldenhoff: “The weekend started well but I didn’t feel so good in Saturday’s qualifying race and I struggled quite a bit because of the rain. Sunday was better, I was able to take the holeshot in the first moto and stay with the front guys but I made a few mistakes and other riders overtook me. I could have taken another holeshot in the second moto but there was a contact and that affected my performance. Next week we will be at one of my favourite tracks where I won at in the past so I am really looking forward to the upcoming GP in Latvia.”

Brian Bogers: “There were a lot of ups and downs this weekend. The speed was good but I had a lot of problems in the qualifying race when I crashed and struggled all moto long. That made it hard for Sunday’s races as my starting position was tough but I managed it well in both motos. Unfortunately, I crashed in the second heat but I am pretty happy with my riding despite not yet being in perfect physical conditions.”

Ben Watson: The German GP did not go as I had planned and the heavy rain made the track heavy all weekend. I arrived at this race not at 100% because of some bumps I got in the previous races that I have not yet fully recovered from. In the first heat I started in the middle of the group and, after suffering quite a bit in the first ten minutes, I recovered at the end and finished 16th. In the second heat I crashed at the start. When I got up I realised that the bike was damaged and at that point I had to retire. Now I have to think about recovering physically, reset myself mentally to resume riding at the level I am capable of.

Ivo Monticelli:The qualifying heat went quite well. After the start I was in 15th position for a long time. At the end I had a problem with my goggles which forced me to slow down. I preferred not to take them off because the ground was very heavy, but I lost a few positions and finished 19th. In the first heat I started well at the gate but at the second corner I made contact with an opponent and found myself among the last. I tried to recover but didn't get further than 21st position at the finish. I felt good on the track but the feeling was not optimal. In the second start I had to brake to avoid some riders who had crashed on the front and I lost contact with the group of the best. The pace was good and I started to recover. Unfortunately in a crash I hit my shoulder. I tried to restart but the pain was bad and I preferred to retire to avoid making more mistakes. We will spend the week before the next race in Latvia in Belgium to continue our preparation on soft ground.

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