TOP-10 FINISHES FOR SUZUKI WORLD MXGP IN GERMAN QUALIFIERS
. By Bikeland Staff
Jeremy Seewer, Hunter Lawrence and Arminas Jasikonis all finished in the top 10 in their qualifying races at the MXGP of Germany, while the fourth member Bas Vaessen made a lot of passes after having to pull into the pits early on in his race. All this bodes extremely well for the Suzuki World riders for the main races tomorrow with the Teutschenthal track providing a good challenge after some torrential rain on Friday evening.
For Seewer, he once again had the speed to win the race on his RM-Z250 but a small mistake cost him some positions. However, a third-placed finish certainly puts him in contention for the two motos on Sunday. “It was tough out there after all the rain from yesterday,” said Seewer. “The track was a bit one-lined, although it did get better throughout the day and should be perfect for tomorrow. I struggled a bit with qualifying and getting a clean lap so I was only 10th, but I had a good start and my speed is there for tomorrow. I passed Benoit Paturel who ended up winning, so I know I can do that in the main races. I just made a mistake and had a small crash; nothing serious, and came back to third. It was good enough and I look forward to tomorrow.”
With Kevin Strijbos still recovering from his elbow injury, Jasikonis was the lone Suzuki World MXGP rider and continued his good form by putting the RM-Z450WS inside the top-10 for tomorrow’s motos. “I had a good jump from the start but I wheelied a little bit too much and got stuck in a bit on the mud. This meant I came out of the first turn down the field, but I was passing riders and feeling good. I got stuck behind Jordi Tixier in the end and finished ninth overall. With a better start tomorrow I think I can do much better. My speed was there and if I can find the right lines I think it should be a good day.”
Lined-up next to his team mate, Lawrence bobbled over the gate and lost some places but he fought hard throughout the race for another good finish. “It was a good day. The track had some ruts; not as many as last year but I like these conditions and they suit my style. Off the start I bumped my gear shifter as I went over the gate so that meant I was quite a long way back, somewhere inside the top 15. I made as many passes as I could and ended up sixth, and I felt like I gelled well with the track and the Suzuki RM-Z250. I’m just going to get ready for tomorrow and continue where I left off today.”
Vaessen wasn’t quite able to make it four out four but showed good speed at the end of the moto to keep passing riders. “The two practices went pretty well, I found a good rhythm and ended up 16th which could have been better but the timed practices aren’t my strongest point so I’m happy with how I rode. In the race I got a good start but shifted too early and dropped a little bit. Then after about half a lap I seemed to lose pressure in my front brake so I pulled in to fix it and it must have worked because I went back onto the track and I began to work my way through the field from last. I got up to 24th which obviously isn’t great but I’m happy with my speed and with a bit of luck tomorrow I should be able to put in a good result.”
Overall, all four riders showed good speed in their respective qualifying races and in front of a large watching Suzuki contingent there is a strong chance for some good results when the gate drops for tomorrow’s races.