DE DYCKER 10TH ON FRNECH MX1 GATE

Teka Suzuki World MX1's Ken De Dycker will enter the gate for the Grand Prix of France at the hillside Ernee circuit in 10th position after securing the ranking during Qualification under grey skies Saturday afternoon.

The Ernee course offered a softer surface compared to the normal hard-pack but the quantity of stones meant it was slippery and the many tight 90 and 180 degree corners again made life difficult for riders hoping to overtake and gain ground.

De Dycker was eighth quickest in the first session; and then seventh in the second, altering his gearing and trying some suspension tweaks. At the start of the Heat race, which was run in front of a noisy and surprisingly very-big crowd for a Saturday attendance, the 24 year old was outside the first 20 places but rallied hard with a good rhythm and pushed up to 10th.

Showers are predicted to hit the two 35 minute and two-lap motos at some point tomorrow.

Ken De Dycker:

"I didn't get out of the gate well and tried to just get around the first lap but I was too slow. It was a long way back but I was happy with my riding. I had a good feeling and did not make many mistakes. It is so hard to pass here. The changes for this GP have only really made the track faster. The jumps aren't that difficult and there is not enough difference in power between us to make overtaking risk-free. Still, we will try to do what we can tomorrow."

Grand Prix of France MX1 Qualification Heat Results: 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda), 23:58.496; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +0:03.513; 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:21.002; 4. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), +0:23.760; 5. Gregory Aranda (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:25.003; 6. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Honda), +0:26.822; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), +0:27.257; 8. Mickael Pichon (FRA, Honda), +0:29.140; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha), +0:29.680; 10. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Teka Suzuki World MX1), +0:37.214.