SUZUKI RM-Z450 ON FRENCH MX1 POLE

2011-06-04 16:05
Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1's Clement Desalle produced an exciting and accomplished performance in the 'sauna' of St Jean D'Angely to capture his second pole position of the year on the factory RM-Z450. The Belgian will enter the start gate first for the Grand Prix of France and the fifth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

The sun-baked course near the west coast of France was excessively watered during the first part of the day and the practice sessions became more about exercises in caution. Come late afternoon and the rough and drier mud offered varying degrees of grip. Desalle excelled during the 20 minute and 2 lap qualification heat where he chased down Max Nagl and enjoyed a brief battle with the German and Antonio Cairoli in the closing stages.

Team-mate Steve Ramon was a steady sixth. The Belgian - a former moto winner at St Jean D'Angely - still wants to refine the set-up of his RM-Z450 and was also struggling with a painful right thumb after a rock smashed his hand.

As the Saturday programme came to a close the forecasted rain for the evening started to coat the venue. More showers are predicted tomorrow for a likely wet race.

Clement Desalle:

"I saw that I could take a different line to Max entering the start straight with three laps to go and took the chance. It is a hard track for overtaking so you really have to make the most of any opportunities. It could be wet tomorrow but it will be the same conditions for everyone to deal with; you have to be good everywhere! In Brazil I made too many mistakes and I don't want this to happen again."

Steve Ramon:

"The race was OK but the track was difficult with the one line. I didn't push too hard but I know I can ride faster and smoother. We will work a little bit on the set-up of the suspension just to find a bit more traction. Whether it is wet or dry tomorrow the start is going to be so important."

MX1 Qualification Heat Classification: 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 25:16.274; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +0:01.371; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:01.919; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Honda), +0:29.690; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:36.953; 6. Steve Ramon (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:38.746; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:43.562; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:45.884; 9. Benjamin Townley (NZL, Kawasaki), +0:48.882; 10. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:49.596.

Source: Team Suzuki Press Office

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