Rockstar Energy Suzuki 1,2 at British MX1 GP

The 2013 British Grand Prix saw another sterling set of performances by Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 as Clement Desalle raced to his fourth victory of the season - his third in a row - and Kevin Strijbos celebrated his fourth podium with an impressive runner-up result.

The works RM-Z450s filled the top two steps of the rostrum for the second time this year at what was the 16th and penultimate round of the FIM Motocross World Championship. Some 25,000 spectators were at the expansive Matterley Basin circuit where the British fixture also entertained the second-ever MXGP Festival with 11 classes in action.

Riders had to cope with a difficult day of contrasting weather conditions. Low temperatures and rainfall in the morning softened the rutty English terrain and meant the surface was slippery and treacherous. Afternoon sunshine saw the ground dry quickly to become even rougher but with more riding options for the GP stars. Some of the big jumps produced spectacular sights but involved a higher degree of risks for the racing fraternity.

Desalle completed a first moto in second position to Antonio Cairoli who confirmed his fifth MX1 title in the same sprint. The Belgian admitted that he was tight on the bike but resolved to improve his rhythm in the second race. Once in the lead, and with Cairoli crashing and suffering technical problems, Desalle was able to control a comfortable margin over countryman and Team Belgium team-mate for the Motocross of Nations Jeremy Van Horebeek. It was '#25's fifth chequered flag from the last eight motos and also confirmed his status as MX1 number two for 2013.

Behind Desalle, Kevin Strijbos was in good form: The 28 year old started brightly and circulated in a solitary third position in the first affair. In the second the Belgian faced some adversity with a less-than-ideal start and was 11th on the first lap. Finding effective lines and riding with confidence - his overtaking move on Evgeny Bobryshev for third position by using the outside of the vast new triple jump as an example - Strijbos pushed all the way up to the top three for one of his best showings this season on the RM-Z450. The veteran was a deserved runner-up and is now just four points behind Gautier Paulin and a potential fourth position in the MX1 standings.

The last stop in the FIM Motocross World Championship will involve a journey relatively close to home for Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1. The crew will make the short drive across the border and into southern Holland where the sand of Lierop will entertain the Benelux Grand Prix in two weeks time.

Clement Desalle:

"I'm really happy with my fourth win of the year. After the first moto I didn't have a good feeling and was too tense on the bike. I had a good start in the second and Antonio made a mistake when he was leading and that made my job a bit easier. I enjoyed the track more today because the rain slowed it down. There were some crazy jumps but there were more lines and possibilities. I'm really happy to win in England and I think it has been three years without even a podium here; it's good!"

Kevin Strijbos:

"I felt really good. In the first race I had a fast start and then battled near the front. I had to slow down a little bit at one point but third place was OK. My bad start in the second race meant I had to push really hard for the whole distance but to reach third again was really positive. I'm happy with my riding but also for the team today that we could go 1-2 again. It was a good pass [on the Bobryshev move]! I think Bobby came too short and left a gap on the left and I was carrying a lot of speed; it was a bit scary but worked out well. I think that was one of my best rides of the year so far. We go to Lierop now and that is where I won my last GP in 2007 so it would be great to repeat that result. I feel really good in the sand."

MX1 Moto1: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:12.219; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:13.729; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:19.596; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:37.345; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:44.925; 6. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:52.268; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Honda), +0:57.437; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:00.898; 9. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:31.427; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, TM), +1:42.077.

MX1 Moto2: 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 39:39.867; 2. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:09.276; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:16.160; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:28.647; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:39.680; 6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:50.764; 7. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:03.211; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:08.104; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, TM), +1:38.004; 10. Matiss Karro (LAT, KTM), +1:48.876.

MX1 Overall result: 1. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 47 points; 2. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), 40 p.; 3. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 36 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 31 p.; 5. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 29 p.; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 28 p.; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 26 p.; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, TM), 23 p.; 10. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 22 p.

MX1 World Championship Standings (after 16 of 17 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 718 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 647 p.; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 573 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 513 p.; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 509 p.; 6. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), 460 p.; 7. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 405 p.; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Honda), 314 p.; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 312 p. 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Honda), 282 p.


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