The fast and familiar undulations of the Talkessel circuit in Teutschenthal await the Suzuki Europe MX2 team this weekend and the Grand Prix of Germany - the ninth round of 15 in the 2011 FIM Motocross World Championship - will represent the home event for the crew.
With Valentin Teillet making an effective and eye-catching return to GP duty last Sunday in Sweden the team are optimistic of another bright meeting in front of an expected large crowd with the German motocross scene going through something of a boom. Suzuki Europe MX2 has been an integral part of this lift in popularity thanks to their support of Ken Roczen on the World Championship stage in the past two years.
Now the squad have an equally flamboyant rider on the fettled RM-Z250 and Teillet is looking to regain lost ground and momentum after his early-season shoulder injury.
"It was great to see how Valentin came back," evaluates Team Manager Thomas Ramsbacher of the former European Champion's quick but steady outing to 10th place in Uddevalla. "He was so fast yet so easy and controlled. He didn't go over the limit and if someone came to pass him in some difficult moments of the race then he reacted calmly. It was an impressive weekend and if he continues in the same way then I hope some good result will arrive soon.
"We feel really positive after the Grand Prix of Sweden and it is good that our home event has come around with the team back to full strength for the first time since Bulgaria," the German added.
Suzuki Europe MX2 won the MX2 class at Teutschenthal in 2009 and then a moto victory on the way to second place in 2010. Twelve months ago the team were able to sip winner's champagne thanks to success in the Women's World Championship run at the same Grand Prix.
"Going to a home grand prix with the knowledge you can win is the greatest thing ever; you cannot really get any pressure from a feeling like that," offered Ramsbacher. "This year we are not able to be a top runner and the top five remains our realistic goal for the rest of 2011. We will still enjoy our home GP; that is for sure. At the moment we are very busy with organisation for 2012 and getting things tied up. Last year we just had to react to the circumstances we were faced with but now we are getting ahead with our plans earlier."
MX2 World Championship Standings (after 8 of 15 rounds): 1. Ken Roczen (GER, KTM), 351 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 337 p.; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 286 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), 276 p.; 5. Zachary Osborne (USA, Yamaha), 234 p.; 6. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), 225 p.; 7. Max Anstie (GBR, Kawasaki), 201 p.; 8. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), 179 p.; 9. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, KTM), 178 p.; 10. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 166 p.; 23. Valentin Teillet (FRA, Suzuki Europe MX2), 20 p.
