Tony Cairoli and Ken Roczen wrapped up pole positions at a re-modelled Talkessel circuit that benefitted from downpours early morning but then hot sunshine that cooked and cemented the deep ruts and bumps. Riders were commenting on the usual problems associated with this old and creaky course and even an upgrade of several jumps and two new sections could not amplify the line choice effectively or assist with the provision of over-taking opportunities.
Christophe Pourcel sauntered out to his first practice session as an MX1-GP rider with Ben Townley’s vacated KX450F CLS/Pro Circuit Kawasaki and promptly set the fastest lap-time, 0.3 seconds ahead of former ‘sparring’ partner Cairoli. In the qualification heat a quiet ride to sixth, ahead of a bustling and improved Shaun Simpson, was understated but it was a novelty to see the ‘377’ out on a European track again.
Afterwards Pourcel faced the press, and there was even some doubt about the Frenchman making an appearance after having opted out of Youthstream live TV internet broadcast while the show was on-air. Here is a selection of his comments:
“I’m really happy to come back here and ride with Antonio and the other guys and I think they have a good speed.”
“I was thinking about it [coming back to GPs] and the bike I had in America wasn’t good so I decided to move back here and get the best bike I could. It is what I want to ride and that is why I am here. I have been riding this bike for four years thanks to Mitch Payton and now I just need to work on the suspension and it should be alright in a few GPs.”
“I would like to get back there [USA] because I have my house…I’m just going to do those few races and see how it goes. I don’t think I could have done the year there.”
“At the moment I am not on the team [about making the Nations selection at St Jean in September] so we will see.”
In other news the comeback of Red Bull Teka KTM’s Jeremy Van Horebeek from a dislocated shoulder seems to have lasted only one Grand Prix with the Belgian crashing twice in practice. The second incident necessitated a hospital visit for possible cracked ribs/collapsed lung.
The German Motocross of Nations team was presented to the press with Roczen, Max Nagl and Markus Schiffer again wearing the colours of the flag. The stated aim of the squad was a repeat podium appearance; the first achieved last September in Denver.
Tony Cairoli is using a Pit Beirer Airoh ‘replica’ helmet (with the former racer and current KTM Director of Motorsports distinctive wavy florescent peak design). The world champion said: “This is a home GP for Pit and I wanted to make a little surprise for him just to recognise all the effort he has made and all the work we have done together for two years and will do for two years more. I hope I can present it to him after winning tomorrow.”
Clement Desalle was in better shape but aggravated his mangled left forefinger and was not left enthused about his job ahead on the German dirt.
Zach Osborne is facing some time away from racing after being diagnosed with the energy-sapping Epstein-Barr virus on Thursday. The only cure is rest so the American should miss trips to the rough loam of Latvia next week and then of course the sand of Lommel in three weeks. It knocks the plans of the British Champion to end the season with another top five world championship finish but the short-term goal has to be something near full-fitness for his Bike it Cosworth Wild Wolf team’s home event in the UK at Matterley Basin in mid-August.
News and some results tomorrow will pop up on Twitter. Follow on @OntrackOffroad
