Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Jeremy Seewer was unable to register a finish in oppressive heat at Nakhonchaisri for the Grand Prix of Thailand and the second round of the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship.
The Swiss, who had been suffering with a cold, was only metres away from the finish line in the first MX2 moto but crashed and needed medical attention for heat exhaustion.
The Thailand Circuit was a compact, narrow and jumpy layout with dirt that provided some deep corner ruts and traction. It was also dusty and difficult to judge in some sections. Humidity and temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s created some of the toughest racing conditions to be faced this season.
Seewer was running in the top four during the qualification heat on Saturday but a small crash on the corner at the end of the pit-lane straight meant he settled on a slot in sixth which was still satisfactory for the long drag to the tight first corner. The angular and narrow right hand turn – such a crucial moment of each race as the pack tries to funnel through – was a so-so experience for him and he had a race-long trawl from 13th on the first lap to reach sixth on Sunday. The youngster could not finish the race however after his unexpected accident and in the wake of treatment in the medical centre was not eligible for the second moto.
Glenn Coldenhoff suffered on Saturday by hurting his right foot and the broken toes that he sustained in a pre-season practice crash. He classified 28th in MXGP and on the RM-Z450 after pulling out of the qualification sprint. On Sunday he struggled in the first moto and could only capture 16th. In the second race he set a better rhythm to grab 13th for 14th overall.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe head back to their home continent now and will enjoy a brief respite in the calendar before another long trip lies in store. This time MXGP will head east and to a new circuit in Neuquen for the first Grand Prix of Argentina this century.
Jeremy Seewer:
“I had a cold coming here just from changing from the heat to the air conditioning and back and I think that might have been something to do with my first race. I just could not hold on anymore on that last lap and had a big crash. I remember picking up the bike but I couldn’t get on it and then I don't remember anything else for the next hour. They gave me a drip and after that I knew I couldn't try the second moto. It was probably for the best but I am still disappointed with how this GP turned out; I know I lost a lot of points.”
Glenn Coldenhoff:
“The second moto definitely felt a bit better. I was riding smoother…and didn't get lapped! In the end I was so tired and missed some strength. It was a solid finish if you look to yesterday and the fact that I hit my foot again. I was 16th and 12th, so it was solid but obviously not special. I think I got better over the weekend and in terms of dealing with the heat.”
MX2 Moto1: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34:58.798; 2. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:07.602; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:20.513; 4. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), +0:26.923; 5. Thomas Covington (USA, Kawasaki), +0:30.333; 6. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), +0:46.653; 7. Benoit Paturel (FRA, Yamaha), +0:52.247; 8. Mel Pocock (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:06.255; 9. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Husqvarna), +1:22.264; 10. Petar Petrov (BUL, KTM), +1:31.510; 11. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), +1:40.991; 12. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), -1 lap(s);
MX2 Overall result: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 40 p.; 3. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 40 p.; 4. Thomas Covington (USA, KAW), 32 p.; 5. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 30 p.; 6. Mel Pocock (GBR, KAW), 27 p.; 7. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 25 p.; 8. Petar Petrov (BUL, KTM), 23 p.; 9. Julien Lieber (BEL, YAM), 20 p.; 10. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 20 p.; 11. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 20 p.; 12. Roberts Justs (LAT, KTM), 18 p.; 13. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 14 p.; 14. Anton Lundgren (SWE, HUS), 12 p.; 15. Jens Getteman (BEL, HON), 11 p.; 16. Viacheslav Golovkin (RUS, KTM), 10 p.; 17. Gota Otsuka (JPN, HON), 10 p. 18. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 9 p.
MX2 Championship Standings (after 2 of 18 rounds): 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 100 points; 2. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 78 p.; 3. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 70 p.; 4. Julien Lieber (BEL, YAM), 62 p.; 5. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 58 p.; 6. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, HUS), 56 p.; 7. Thomas Covington (USA, KAW), 53 p.; 8. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 52 p.; 9. Petar Petrov (BUL, KTM), 41 p.; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 38 p.
MXGP Overall result: 1. Ryan Villopoto (USA, KAW), 45 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 44 p.; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 41 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 38 p.; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 31 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 29 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 28 p.; 8. Todd Waters (AUS, HUS), 26 p.; 9. Tyla Rattray (RSA, KAW), 26 p.; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, YAM), 20 p.; 11. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 20 p.; 12. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 17 p.; 13. Dean Ferris (AUS, HUS), 13 p.; 14. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 13 p.
MXGP Championship Standings (after 2 of 18 rounds): 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, SUZ), 88 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 79 p.; 3. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 78 p.; 4. Ryan Villopoto (USA, KAW), 70 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 67 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HON), 67 p.; 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, SUZ), 55 p.; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 45 p.; 9. Todd Waters (AUS, HUS), 40 p.; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 38 p.; 11. Tyla Rattray (RSA, KAW), 35 p.; 12. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 32 p.; 13. David Philippaerts (ITA, YAM), 31 p.; 14. Davide Guarneri (ITA, TM), 28 p.; 15. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 27 p.
