Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1's Clement Desalle heads to the Italian Grand Prix at the Arco di Trento circuit this weekend eager to familiarise himself with a race track he's previously enjoyed; and to gain some ground on Antonio Cairoli in the MX1 standings of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
Two weeks after round three on Easter Monday at Valkenswaard in Holland, the series reconvenes for the first of two back-to-back events in Italy and then Bulgaria and Desalle, who claimed victory at Lacapelle Marival and the third round of the French Championship last weekend, will be chasing his third podium finish of the season with the factory RM-Z450.
"It was good practice in France at the weekend," the 23 year old said. "I haven't ridden too many non-GP races recently and it was good to be in another paddock and say hello to some old friends. There was a feel of an International meeting about it.
"Lacapelle was beneficial because the ground was hard-pack with small and loose stones, something similar to what we might find this weekend," he added. "We didn't change the bike. The base setting was ideal and this is what we'll go into the Grand Prix with.
"I rode at Arco di Trento in 2010," the Belgian continues. "I just used the track for practising and I liked it. It is definitely picturesque with the lake close by. If I close my eyes now then I don't remember too much of the layout but there were some nice and small uphill and downhill sections. Of course it might have been altered for the GP but we'll see."
Desalle travels south this week holding second position in the championship and with a 26 point deficit to red plate holder Cairoli. Further back in fifth but buoyed by his recent third position finish in the second moto at Valkenswaard is Kevin Strijbos who will line-up on the second factory RM-Z450. Strijbos was also busy at the weekend and used the pause in the international calendar to capture second place in the first round of the Belgian Championship at Mons.
After entertaining a round of the Italian Championship earlier this year, Arco Di Trento - located north of Lake Garda - will offer a hard-based terrain with fine, shallow top soil and a compact, fast and weaving layout. Bright sunshine and temperatures near 20 degrees are forecast for the weekend.
MX1 World Championship Standings (after 3 of 18 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 142 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 116 p.; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 115 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 108 p.; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 89 p.; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 87 p.; 7. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 87 p.; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 73 p.; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, Honda), 61 p.; 10. Joel Roelants (BEL, Yamaha), 58 p.
