Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 again had cause to commemorate a successful home event at a packed 35,000 Teutschenthal circuit for the Grand Prix of Germany as Ken Roczen won the second moto and finished second overall while Larissa Papenmeier claimed her first overall Women's World Championship triumph.
The Talkessel layout provided another bump-ridden course and the snaking banks and curves of the fast track made overtaking a demanding exercise. The RM-Z250s of Roczen and Arnaud Tonus benefitted from some engine component upgrades for round eight of the MX2 series and also a potent new exhaust system from Akrapovic that gave the motorcycle more formidable power. The technical 'forward step' was evident from Saturday when Roczen floated to second spot in Qualification. Decent starts for both riders - Tonus finishing sixth overall with a 6-5 scorecard - saw the teenagers in contention for places at the high-end of the leader-board.
Roczen had a problem with his goggles in the first sprint that caused him to shed his eyewear, lower his speed - and be cautious when approaching backmarkers. The 16 year old reluctantly accepted fifth by the flag while Tonus' harassment of Shaun Simpson paid dividends on the last lap when the Scot fell and the Swiss snared sixth behind his team-mate.
Roczen was determined for the second race and moved into the lead on the first lap pulling away from the pack for his second moto win of the season. Tonus battled through to fifth to complete a decent day for the German squad.
An undoubted highlight was provided by Larissa Papenmeier who toasted his first win for the team and first victory at World Championship level thanks to results of first and second. The number '2' set an impressive speed on her RM-Z250 to defeat World Champion Steffi Laier, second-placed Chiara Fontanesi and Livia Lancelot. The German was cheered on by the crowd and became only the third girl to win since 2008 aside from Laier and Lancelot. She is now third in the Women's World Championship, six points from second spot and with two rounds to run.
Roczen trails World Champion Marvin Musquin by 77 points after eight rounds. Tonus is seventh and 19 points from the top five.
Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 will now transfer their energy and attention to the Grand Prix of Latvia next weekend at the loamy circuit of Kegums before travelling to Sweden a week later.
Ken Roczen:
"The first moto was really difficult but not just for me but also my family and the whole team. I couldn't clear my goggles and had to dump them. It was impossible to get close to people and was hard when I was behind backmarkers I had to slow down and was really frustrated. After that I really wanted to do something special for all the fans that were cheering me and was really focussed. I made a good start and make some quick passes so I had a clear track. When I saw I had a good gap I turned the speed down a little bit and kept the rhythm. The track was difficult for passing but with a good eye you can always do something. There were a few lines out there but many people were using the same. It was an unbelievable feeling riding here. The people seemed to go crazy and I want to thank all of them."
Arnaud Tonus:
"I had two good races and two good starts. We changed some things on the bike and I felt comfortable with the speed I could do. I felt I was consistent with my pace and I felt confident. I had a good battle with Simpson in the first moto and he crashed on the last lap, so I was pleased to take sixth. The second race was also really good and to finish fifth was again decent. I could feel the changes to the engine were really positive and we could do more with our starts. It was ggggreat to be here with this team and see the reaction to Ken's result. It was a good weekend."
Larissa Papenmeier:
"It was an amazing weekend and I did not know I had won when I crossed the line in the second moto. I was chasing Chiara hard and wasn't aware Steffi had crashed. I couldn't believe it when I was told as I was sure I had second but to win was fantastic. The weekend had started well on Saturday and I took a bit of confidence from that pole position. I rode well and felt good on the track. I am third in the championship now and close to Livia so my goal for the final two rounds is to make sure of a top three finish and maybe challenge for second."
MX2 Moto1: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 40:44.108; 2. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:04.645; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:12.812; 4. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), +0:31.456; 5. Ken Roczen (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +0:35.632; 6. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +0:41.892; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:43.478; 8. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +0:44.200; 9. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:03.398; 10. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:03.791.
MX2 Moto2: 1. Ken Roczen (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 40:06.652; 2. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +0:26.568; 3. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), +0:36.614; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:47.311; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +1:00.947; 6. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:06.656; 7. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +1:16.155; 8. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +1:18.283; 9. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:20.736; 10. Michael Leib (USA, Kawasaki), +1:21.304.
MX2 Overall Result: 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 47 points; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 41 p.; 3. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 38 p.; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 38 p.; 5. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 36 p.; 6. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 31 p.; 7. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 24 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 24 p.; 9. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), 24 p.; 10. Khounsith Vongsana (FRA, KTM), 19 p.
MX2 World Championship standings (after 8 of 15 rounds): 1. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 365 points; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 288 p.; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 268 p.; 4. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 241 p.; 5. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 233 p.; 6. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 225 p.; 7. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 214 p.; 8. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 209 p.; 9. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 183 p.; 10. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 158 p.
Women's World Championship GP of Germany overall result: 1. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 47 points; 2. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), 41 p.; 3. Livia Lancelot (FRA, KTM), 40 p.; 4. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), 38 p.; 5. Maria Franke (GER, KTM), 36 p.
Women's World Championship standings (after 5 of 7 rounds): 1. Stephanie Laier (GER, KTM), 230 points; 2. Livia Lancelot (FRA, KTM), 190 p.; 3. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 184 p.; 4. Chiara Fontanesi (ITA, Yamaha), 178 p.; 5. Maria Franke (GER, KTM), 177 p.
