ROCKSTAR ENERGY SUZUKI MX1 HIT EUROPE

2012-05-31 17:50
After two weeks roaming through Mexico and Brazil, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 is now back on familiar turf and will start an intense stretch of the FIM Motocross World Championship with Grands Prix in France, Portugal and Belgium taking the series up to round eight and the half-way stage.

St Jean D'Angely awaits the Belgian crew first this weekend: The hard-pack, hillside course is characterised through its amphitheatre setting and rocky, slippery terrain. As one of the top venues in the country, 'St Jean' hosted the 2010 and 2011 French rounds and also, memorably, the 2011 Motocross of Nations.

Clement Desalle is currently second in the MX1 standings and 24 points behind reigning Champion Antonio Cairoli. The Belgian has picked up three podiums on his factory RM-Z450 from the five rounds held so far but is still chasing his first chequered flag of the season. There is a good chance the recently-turned 23 year old could manage it this weekend and continue his 'run' at St Jean having claimed the second moto victory at the track 12 months ago. At the very least, Desalle will be hoping to maintain his podium record after two third positions overall in the past two editions of the French Grand Prix.

"After two days I was feeling better from the trip back and went riding over the weekend and again yesterday," said Desalle. "I actually went to the new GP track at Bastogne where we will be in a couple of weeks. It's a nice place and a jumpy track but you can 'feel' it is new; it needs to be bedded in but I'm sure after a week or two it will be better for the race.

"Rain or shine I'll take St Jean as it comes and I always try to do my best on the day," he added. "The French Grand Prix normally has a good atmosphere and the French fans really get behind their own riders. I enjoy racing there. When I was small I was racing in the French Championship and I have good memories from those days."

Tanel Leok travels to the west coast of France aiming to get his season into a higher gear after a spate of small injury problems have presented the Estonian from showing his full speed and form. Leok led the second moto in Brazil but was struggling with a pulled right hamstring. The ailment healed sufficiently for the experienced racer to take three second positions at the recent Belgian Championship race in Mons last weekend.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 will face three weeks on the road as the motorways south and west will take the team to Agueda in Portugal for round seven as soon as the flag had fallen and the crowds have dispersed this weekend.
The early weather forecast for the weekend predicts very warm and cloudy and changeable conditions for the weekend with a threat of showers. Catch the Grand Prix action live online at www.mx-life.tv

MX1 World Championship Standings (after 5 of 16 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 203 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 179 p.; 3. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 172 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 170 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 154 p.; 6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 142 p.; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 139 p.; 8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 129 p.; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 110 p. 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 107 p.

Source: Team Suzuki Press Office

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