ROCZEN RECORDS FIRST-EVER MX2 POLE FOR SUZUKI

2010-04-04 19:17
Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2's Ken Roczen produced a confident and strong performance in the very first qualification race of 2010 and sealed the maiden Pole Position of his career with victory across a rough, rutty-but-tacky Sevlievo terrain for the Grand Prix of Bulgaria.

The 15-year-old German chased down rivals Marvin Musquin and Jeffrey Herlings and pulled ahead of the Frenchman and Dutchman with more than five minutes remaining in the 20 minute and two-lap distance. Roczen now has first pick on the gate for the opening Grand Prix moto tomorrow morning. His achievement also represented the very first World Championship Pole Position for the RM-Z250.

Team-mate Arnaud Tonus started brightly and enjoyed a battle with Jake Nicholls, Zach Osborne and Steven Frossard to place eighth. His result was a steady and positive opening to his Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 career.

The first round of seven in the FIM Women's World Championship saw Larissa Papenmeier in action. The 20 year old took Pole Position during timed practice on her RM-Z250 and although she suffered a poor start in the first of the two Grand Prix motos - run on Saturday afternoon - the German rode well, setting a decent pace in the second half of the heat and passed Ashley Fiolek to take third position.

Ken Roczen:

"I had a good start in the heat and found some effective lines. I had fun out there and I hope for more of the same tomorrow even though the extra length of the races will mean more of a test of endurance. The Suzuki is working so well with the fuel injection; if I don't win soon then it won't be because of the bike!"

Arnaud Tonus:

"It was a good day. In the first practice I made a few small crashes but I found my way and then it all came good for the qualification race. I had a good start and I was pleased to take eighth as it will mean a decent place on the gate. The bike is great and we hardly changed anything. I am really looking forward to tomorrow now."

MX2 Qualification Heat Classification: 1. Ken Roczen (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 24:36.439; 2. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +0:13.716; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:21.980; 4. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:39.050; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:41.735; 6. Marcus Schiffer (GER, KTM), +0:43.904; 7. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:49.110; 8. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +1:04.742; 9. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:05.816; 10. Valentin Teillet (FRA, KTM), +1:08.380;


WMX Grand Prix of Bulgaria, Moto1 Classification: 1. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), 25:39.207; 2. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), +0:18.460; 3. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +0:22.755; 4. Ashley Fiolek (USA, Honda), +0:24.767; 5. Maria Franke (GER, KTM), +0:27.169.


Source: Team Suzuki Press Office

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