Strong winds battered the steep hillside outside the scenic hamlet of Loket and the dry, hard-pack circuit was also swept by RM-Z450s as Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff earned a holeshot and third position in the qualification heat for the Grand Prix of Czech Republic with Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Clement Desalle in seventh and Kevin Strijbos ninth.
Round 13 of 18 in the FIM Motocross World Championship saw the factory team once again at full strength. Desalle, back in the fold for the first time in three Grands Prix and since recovering from his left knee injury, took his time to find a feeling around the Czech off-cambers and a decent start in the 20-minute and two-lap sprint witnessed the Belgian exercising caution and racing without risk. Strijbos adjusted his suspension settings to search for more grip on the slippery surface and a mediocre first turn meant the Belgian was then anxious to pass riders like David Philippaerts and Shaun Simpson but couldn’t find an effective flow.
It was Latvian Grand Prix winner Coldenhoff who shone. The Dutchman was first out of the opening corner – a tight and tricky uphill left hander – and then rode a consistent pace to make sure of third place and a crucial slot in the gate towards the inside of the first turn for the two motos tomorrow.
Clement Desalle:
“There is not much to say. It is good to be back on the bike but the track was very dry and dusty I don't have the best things to say about it! Riding involved many risks…I didn't want to crash. I don't feel 100% but also not so bad so I’ll do my best tomorrow.”
Kevin Strijbos:
“OK today. We changed the shock setting a bit for the qualification race that was better for me but it was difficult to pass. My speed was there but I couldn’t find the right lines. If you went wide to find grip then you left room on the inside, so it was hard to judge. I’m not so happy with how the day went but we were not racing for points today.”
MXGP Qualification Heat result: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), 23:42.613; 2. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Honda), +0:11.060; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Rockstar Energy Suzuki), +0:18.860; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:21.415; 5. Tommy Searle (GBR, KTM), +0:22.695; 6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:23.779; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki), +0:25.156; 8. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:27.871; 9. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki), +0:29.837; 10. Todd Waters (AUS, Husqvarna), +0:31.278.
