Suzuki Europe MX2 left the superb setting of Matterley Basin and the Grand Prix of Great Britain ruing its luck after a weekend of work and good speed ultimately delivered 12th position overall for Valentin Teillet on the factory-backed RM-Z250.
The 13th round of 15 in the MX2 category of the FIM Motocross World Championship visited the UK and the Winchester site for the first time since 2006 and the jump-laden, soft and open layout was an excellent course for racing; prompting many of the paddock - including the exciting Teillet - to praise the track as the best of the season.
Some 26,500 spectators travelled to southern England for the first British GP for two years and were rewarded with some bright weather and entertaining fare. After setting the fastest time through a damp free practice session on Saturday and then suffering a bit of arm-pump to take sixth position in the qualification heat, Teillet was a proactive force in the two 35 minute and 2 lap motos.
The former European Champion was pushing for the top five in the first moto and took a lot of confidence from a decent start and his pace to keep ahead of Jeremy Van Horebeek to confirm fifth and his best race result of the year. A repeat performance was on the cards at the second time of asking but a problem with his gear-shifter and dislodged chain forced a disappointing DNF while holding a comfortable fourth spot.
Teillet holds 16th place in the MX2 standings and has moved up two positions. The team will face its second home Grand Prix of the season in two weeks time with Gaildorf (in close proximity to Stuttgart) entertaining the European round and the penultimate fixture of the FIM calendar.
Valentin Teillet:
"It was one of the first times this year that I felt it was really possible to be twice in the top five. I had a small problem with the bike in the second moto but these things happen; it is a mechanical sport. At the end of the day my speed was not bad and I will go home with this positive feeling. We need more tracks like this. It is real motocross; lots of jumps, good ground and big ruts. I need to think about Gaildorf now."
MX2 Moto1: 1. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), 40:40.977; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:10.203; 3. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +0:12.899; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:29.008; 5. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Suzuki Europe MX2), +0:42.680; 6. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), +0:53.352; 7. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:58.725; 8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:00.280; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +1:12.440; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:13.827.
MX2 Moto2: 1. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), 41:04.388; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:13.758; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:17.975; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:42.166; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +0:53.031; 6. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +0:55.494; 7. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:11.914; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:29.359; 9. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +1:42.096; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), +1:47.766. 29. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Suzuki Europe MX2).
MX2 Overall result: 1. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), 50 points; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 44 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), 36 p.; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), 28 p.; 6. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 28 p.; 7. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 24 p.; 8. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), 24 p.; 9. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 21 p.; 10. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 20 p.; 11. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), 19 p.; 12. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Suzuki Europe MX2), 16 p.
MX2 World Championship standings (after 13 of 15 rounds): 1. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), 590 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 547 p.; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 479 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), 425 p.; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), 353 p.; 6. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), 342 p.; 7. Zachary Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 295 p.; 8. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), 287 p.; 9. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, KTM), 242 p.; 10. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 226 p.; 11. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 203 p.; 12. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 193 p.; 13. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 171 p.; 14. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 133 p.; 15. Antonio Jose Butron Oliva (ESP, KTM), 128 p. 16. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Suzuki Europe MX2), 125 p.
