Clement Desalle back on MX1 podium in Italy

Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 blasted back into the winner's circle as Clement Desalle scored third position overall at a sunny and scenic Fermo for the Grand Prix of Italy and the third round of the FIM Motocross World Championship yesterday.

As 17,000 spectators found a vantage point around the steep slopes of the hard-pack, rutted and tricky terrain on the Adriatic coast, Desalle struggled to get comfortable on the track during Saturday's practice and qualification schedule and filled eighth place in the gate for the GP motos. The Belgian seemed inconsistent with his pace and feeling on the dirt during the first race that was run in pleasant early summer temperatures. An incident when he collided with David Philippaerts required a swift recovery of the RM-Z450 but he secured fourth place by the flag.

The deep ruts and technical level of the circuit increased through the afternoon and Desalle was in better form to chase Christophe Pourcel and score third position in the second moto that gave the 22 year old a one point advantage over Gautier Paulin the final standings.

Tanel Leok, still not 100% fighting fit due to the injury with his lower left leg and ankle, again was hesitant with his starts but was able to feel more positive about his form and potential after Fermo. The Estonian rode to a brace of 11th positions for 10th overall.

In the MX1 points table after three rounds Desalle is fourth and 28 away from red plate holder Antonio Cairoli. Leok is 10th. Having closed two races back-to-back the team still has a full workload in the coming days as The Grand Prix of Mexico, followed by a trip to Brazil, will take place on May 13th and 20th.

Clement Desalle:

"I'm not so happy because when I ride the bike I like to have fun and I didn't enjoy myself this weekend. I found the track difficult, especially compared to when I won here in 2010; it felt like you were on the edge of making a big mistake all the time. I must keep working because I know what I can do. I will keep positive."

Tanel Leok:

"In the first race my riding was pretty good actually and I came through from the back. In the second one I was making so many mistakes on the first lap I didn't know what I was doing and I killed my speed. I was fighting the track a little bit. I'm happy this one is over and we have a little break now where I can heal myself up and get ready for Mexico. Overall my feeling on the bike is getting better and this is a good thing."

MX1 Moto1: 1. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 40:45.152; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:00.807; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:10.841; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:45.920; 5. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:46.277; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:49.834; 7. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:57.051; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:59.812; 9. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:04.282; 10. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +1:07.930. 11. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +1:09.830.

MX1 Moto2: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 39:48.505; 2. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:09.147; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:15.265; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:20.222; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:31.310; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:42.169; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:54.334; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:02.716; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +1:05.010; 10. Dean Ferris (AUS, Kawasaki), +1:06.052. 11. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +1:22.905.

MX1 Overall result: 1. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 47 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 45 p.; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 38 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 37 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 32 p.; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 31 p.; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 25 p.; 8. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 25 p.; 9. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 23 p.; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 20 p.

MX1 World Championship Standings (after 3 of 16 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 133 points; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 116 p.; 3. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 106 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 105 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 95 p.; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 76 p.; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 72 p.; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 69 p.; 9. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 69 p.; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 62 p.


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