STRIJBOS 2ND IN BULGARIAN MX1 QUALIFYING

2013-04-20 10:26
Kevin Strijbos demonstrated some excellent speed and prowess in qualification for the Grand Prix of Bulgaria today by storming through the top 10 to secure second position on his factory RM-Z450.

The Belgian Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 rider showed he is in-tune with the fast Sevlievo hard-pack by recovering from 10th position on the first lap of the qualification heat and overtook eight of his peers.

A cloudy and temperate day in east Bulgaria launched the fifth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship and the second event in a week for the MX1 field. The expected rainfall did not arrive and the terrain remained hard and unforgiving in terms of becoming rougher and more technical during the day.

Strijbos and team-mate Clement Desalle both adjusted the engine characteristics of their RM-Z450s for a bit more top speed and it clearly paid off. Desalle exited the first turn of the 20 minute and two-lap qualification heat in first place but then faced a setback after he crashed on the first circulation. The Belgian fought back to seventh. Strijbos found a superb rhythm and set of lines to emerge as the main protagonist in the race and will be an authentic podium threat tomorrow if he can find the same flow.

Kevin Strijbos:

"I felt good today. The track is pretty easy and there aren't many bumps. I had a good jump at the start of the qualification race but was too slow for the first turn. Some people passed me and I think I was 10th on the first lap. I had some good lines and I could overtake where I wanted. It was a good race. We changed the engine a little bit after practice to gain a bit more power and I felt it later on. It helped everywhere and suited a bit more my style of riding. I was passing on the long straights and I could feel it was quicker. I'm happy with second place and will concentrate on a good start tomorrow. I don't want to talk it up too much but we will try to keep going in this direction and feel confident for the races."

Clement Desalle:

"It is not easy on this track; it is really fast. I had a good start and made the holeshot coming out of the first corner but crashed on the first lap. After that I just tried to find the rhythm to come back but it was hard to pass and I also had a small problem with my goggles as some dirt had got inside and at one point I could hardly see. I was really slow. It is just qualification so I know it will be better tomorrow."

MX1 Qualification Heat result: 1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 24:50.658; 2. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:06.094; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:09.902; 4. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), +0:10.931; 5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:11.574; 6. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:20.090; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:22.737; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), +0:27.981; 9. Davide Guarneri (ITA, KTM), +0:32.317; 10. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:34.368.

Source: Team Suzuki Press Office

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