MXGP: Philippaerts keeps series lead in South Africa, Aubin
makes MX2-GP podium
Philippaerts fourth at sun-struck South Africa
Low winter sunshine bathed 20,000 spectators at the scenic
Nelspruit circuit for the Grand Prix of South Africa and Yamaha
Monster Motocross Team's David Philippaerts finished 4th overall
and saw just one point chipped away from his lead at the top
of the series; the gap now at eleven. Josh Coppins was 6th
on the YZ450FM and remains third in the standings.
The tenth round of fifteen in the 2008 FIM MX1-GP World Championship
visited the southern hemisphere for the first time since 2006
(after three consecutive events were held at the Sun City
resort) and represented the sole non-European outing of this
year's calendar.
The Nelspruit circuit was immaculately prepared for its inauguration
as a world championship venue. The narrow and twisty layout
involved many sharp turns and technical additions (such as
dividers and plenty of jumps) while the dark red dirt varied
between soft and rough to hard and slippery. The biggest obstacle
for the riders to face was the sunshine with the light dipping
low in the afternoon, throwing many shadows on the track and
hiding the ruts and jump take-offs. The glare was also problematic
over the jumps.
Philippaerts, now more or less recovered from his rib injury,
benefitted from two decent starts around the top five. In
the first moto he rode well to push through from fourth to
close on leader Steve Ramon in the final laps, finally sealing
2nd spot. For Moto2 he was circulating in the top six and
for some time alongside his team-mate. With the sunshine and
the many backmarkers adding an element of danger to the race,
the 24 year old overtook a struggling Ramon (who would drop
to 8th) and make sure of 6th; missing out on his seventh trophy
of the year by just one point.
Coppins, who recently extended his association with Yamaha
and will enter a third season in 2009, was again a victim
of misfortune on the first corner (after two problematic races
last time out in Sweden). A tangle with Sebastien Pourcel
left the Kiwi almost last and he had to pick his lines carefully
to recover to 9th. A more cautious and improved launch in
Moto1 saw the 31 year old blast from the lower depths of the
top ten to charge Pourcel all the way to the flag for 3rd
place, finally taking 4th. It was an excellent performance
in which he was one of the few proactive riders making positions
in difficult conditions; the fastest lap testimony to his
speed.
Nelspruit represented only the second time this season that
the Yamaha Monster Motocross Team has not scaled the rostrum.
Philippaerts holds an advantage of 11 points over Ramon and
23 over Coppins. Ken De Dycker is 43 further back in fourth.
After ten events Yamaha still control the manufacturer's ranking
by 16 points. The final third of the series will begin in
two weeks time with the first of back-to-back races. Round
eleven takes place at the sandy Lommel circuit for the Grand
Prix of Belgium before the trip to Loket in the Czech Republic.
David Philippaerts, Yamaha Monster Motocross Team,
4th:
"I missed the podium by one point but the positives
from this weekend were the good race in the first moto and
that my physical condition is getting better after a few small
injuries. I was a bit tired early in the second moto and with
the sun going down it was hard to find the lines. After about
twenty minutes I felt a bit better and pushed to pass Mackenzie
but there were so many lapped riders that it was very difficult.
I did not want to crash and I had already passed Ramon. I
think I will be strong for Lommel. All the GPs will be important
for the championship now and I will be looking for good positions
and to finish ahead of Ramon as much as possible."
Josh Coppins, Yamaha Monster Motocross Team, 6th:
"For three motos in a row I have had to start from pretty
much last. I knew I had the speed but I lost so many points
just from incidents in those three heats. In that second moto
today I decided to start a little more cautious, take my turn
and then ride my own race. I came out in the top ten but then
could start the hunt and move forward; this is not really
the way I want to go racing, holeshots would be preferable!
It was a tough track but the same for everyone. There were
parts that I liked and others that I didn't. I am pleased
with that second moto though; if I can improve my starts then
I feel that I can push my way back in there for the title."
Mino Raspanti, Racing Manager:
"It was not an easy Grand Prix by any means but we are
happy that David had better starts and was inside the top
six in each moto. He took too long to pass Mackenzie in the
first race and had to use a lot of energy to overtake. His
speed was good and if he could have moved forward quicker
then he might have been able to win as he was very close to
Ramon. He rode well in the second moto also but was a bit
more tired. The result was good for the championship though
because he did not make a mistake. Josh had a crash right
at the start again and had to come through so it was difficult
for him. The second moto was better and although he did not
want to take any risks at the start he soon found his speed
and actually made the fastest lap of the race. He was physically
strong and this showed. We were working out of the crates
this weekend but we were well organised and prepared, and
overall we can feel content with how things have gone."
Circuit Length: n/a
Crowd: 20,000
Weather: Sunny
2008 GP of South Africa, Nelspruit 20/07/2008
Race 1 - 20 Laps
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
1 Steve Ramon Suzuki BEL 40'20.469
2 David Philippaerts Yamaha ITA 0'2.441
3 Jonathan Barragan KTM ESP 0'5.874
4 Maximilian Nagl KTM GER 0'9.979
5 Ken De Dycker Suzuki BEL 0'18.428
6 Tanel Leok Kawasaki EST 0'19.584
7 Billy MacKenzie Honda GBR 0'21.389
8 Sébastien Pourcel Kawasaki FRA 0'51.965
9 Joshua Coppins Yamaha NZL 0'57.055
10 Manuel Priem Kawasaki BEL 0'57.055
11 Julien Bill Honda CHE 1'13.389
12 Marcus Schiffer KTM GER 1'44.019
13 Steve Boniface Honda FRA 1'52.455
14 James Noble KTM GBR 1'55.312
15 Carlos Campano Yamaha ESP 2'15.088
16 Tom Church Kawasaki GBR -1 Laps
17 R Van Der Westhuizen Suzuki RSA -1 Laps
18 Anthony Raynard Yamaha RSA -2 Laps
19 Brandon Wheeler Suzuki RSA -2 Laps
20 K Bowen KTM RSA -2 Laps
Race 2 - 20 Laps
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
1 Jonathan Barragan KTM ESP 40'35.152
2 Maximilian Nagl KTM GER 0'3.151
3 Sébastien Pourcel Kawasaki FRA 0'6.255
4 Joshua Coppins Yamaha NZL 0'7.594
5 Billy MacKenzie Honda GBR 0'12.794
6 David Philippaerts Yamaha ITA 0'18.663
7 Ken De Dycker Suzuki BEL 0'35.635
8 Steve Ramon Suzuki BEL 0'36.797
9 Manuel Priem Kawasaki BEL 1'18.244
10 Clement Desalle Suzuki BEL 1'23.337
11 Tanel Leok Kawasaki EST 1'28.326
12 Marcus Schiffer KTM GER 1'37.322
13 Steve Boniface Honda FRA 1'42.692
14 James Noble KTM GBR -1 Laps
15 Tom Church Kawasaki GBR -1 Laps
16 Carlos Campano Yamaha ESP -1 Laps
17 r Van Der Westhuizen Suzuki RSA -1 Laps
18 Brandon Wheeler Suzuki RSA -2 Laps
19 J De Bruin Yamaha RSA -2 Laps
20 Anthony Raynard Yamaha RSA -2 Laps
Rider Standings 20/07/2008
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points
1. David Philippaerts Yamaha ITA 339
2. Steve Ramon Suzuki BEL 328
3. Joshua Coppins Yamaha NZL 316
4. Ken De Dycker Suzuki BEL 296
5. Jonathan Barragan KTM ESP 284
6. Sébastien Pourcel Kawasaki FRA 274
7. Maximilian Nagl KTM GER 253
8. Billy MacKenzie Honda GBR 235
9. Tanel Leok Kawasaki EST 234
10. Marc De Reuver Honda NED 178
11. Clement Desalle Suzuki BEL 173
12. Manuel Priem Kawasaki BEL 160
13. Julien Bill Honda CHE 141
14. Kornel Nemeth KTM HUN 115
15. Mike Brown Honda USA 107
16. Aigar Leok Yamaha EST 97
17. Marcus Schiffer KTM GER 95
18. James Noble KTM GBR 93
19. Tom Church Kawasaki GBR 66
20. Steve Boniface Honda FRA 63
21. Carlos Campano Yamaha ESP 42
Manufacturer Standings 20/07/2008
Pos. Manufacturer Points
1. Yamaha 395
2. Suzuki 379
3. KTM 364
4. Kawasaki 350
5. Honda 314
6. TM 31
7. Aprilia 5
RACE REPORT 20/07/2008
Aubin takes first podium as Cairoli suffers
Yamaha Ricci Racing's Nico Aubin scored his first top three
finish of the 2008 FIM MX2-GP World Championship under typically
deep blue skies for the Grand Prix of South Africa - the tenth
round of fifteen in the FIM series - at the Nelspruit circuit,
more than 300km north-east of Johannesburg. The Frenchman
took 3rd position on the same day that reigning number one
Antonio Cairoli sustained an injury to his left knee and failed
to score points in a GP for the first time since the British
Grand Prix in 2004; a run of 65 events.
The general reaction to the winding turns and many jumps
of the new world championship circuit was extremely positive
even if the dirt was a little unpredictable, varying between
soft and rutted in places and hard and slick in others. Cairoli
immediately gelled with the second of three new tracks on
the 2008 schedule and collected his eighth consecutive Lovemytime
qualification award for winning the second heat race and going
to the gate in second position on Sunday.
Sadly number '222' lasted no more than a few laps of the first
moto as a near-crash around the fourth corner saw the Sicilian
catch and turn his left leg, instantly injuring his knee.
He tried to complete a few more circulations but then pulled
into the pits with overwhelming pain. During the break between
races he underwent an examination and treatment and was encouraged
by the fact that there was little swelling. He attempted the
second moto and started in second position but too small mistakes
aggravated the joint further and he was again forced to withdraw.
Cairoli now plans to have a scan and possible surgery on
a suspected broken meniscus this week. The procedure should
not be complicated and there is a chance he could be back
on his motorcycle for the Grand Prix of Belgium in a fortnight.
Aubin ensured that a YZ250F kept a place on the podium, and
his first silverware of the season came largely thanks to
his excellent start and second position in Moto1; the finish
represented his second best result of the year having previously
taken a race win in Italy. Aubin had actually been leading
the sprint but was powerless to match pole-sitter Tommy Searle's
speed. In the second race he started in the top five and spent
a lonely moto avoiding backmarkers and trying to close to
the back of Shaun Simpson in 4th.
Aubin is the fourth Yamaha rider this season to scale a Grand
Prix rostrum.
Ricci Racing team-mate Davide Guarneri continues to admirably
fight the odds despite a weakened right knee (missing a ligament)
and the Italian scored 8th and 15th positions for 11th overall.
He hit his limb on the ground twice in the second moto which
caused him to slow and miss out on a double top ten finish.
3C Racing's Manuel Monni was 13th overall and rests 10th
in the world championship while team-mate Deny Philippaerts
- younger brother of David - scored points for the second
time this season.
Cairoli's championship plight now faces a test against the
odds. The double world number one is third and 59 points away
(more than two moto victories) from leader Tyla Rattray with
five Grand Prix remaining. Aubin cut a few points to Simpson
and fourth place in the ranking with 44 points the difference.
The eleventh round of the championship will take place through
the sand of Lommel for the Grand Prix of Belgium in two weeks
time. The hillside Loket circuit in the Czech Republic will
host the thirteenth race seven days later.
Tony Cairoli, Yamaha Red Bull De Carli, DNF:
"I am really disappointed. I liked the track yesterday
and had some decent speed. I didn't have a good start in the
first moto and tried to pass some riders in the beginning
but it was not easy because the track was slippery from the
watering. Tyla and Tommy were ahead so I knew I had to gain
ground fast. I went to pass Guarneri but he came wide and
cut my line. The bike went sideways down the hill and I put
out my foot and felt something pull in my knee. I had so much
pain that I had to stop. My doctor made a really good job
in the break so I tried to start the second moto and came
out of the gate in second place. The knee was not inflamed
and not too painful but I was not used to the track and I
got one set of bumps wrong and felt the knee react. Tommy
passed me and I was starting to catch him when I over-jumped
and then had shots of pain, which ended my race.
The plan now is to have some surgery this week and I really
hope I can come back for Lommel. The doctor thinks the ligaments
are OK, just maybe stretched a little bit but the meniscus
might be broken. With the operation we have planned he said
I might be able to ride after one week. The championship looks
difficult now and Tommy and Tyla have worked hard to be going
for the title. I want to win when I come back and I hope it
will be as soon as possible."
Nico Aubin, Yamaha Ricci Racing, 3rd:
"I am happy but it is a shame I had to wait ten Grand
Prix for my first podium. I have had a few problems getting
myself up to speed but I had two weeks to get my head together
before this Grand Prix and felt better on the bike. The track
is very good and I enjoyed the ground and the jumps. I made
a great start in the first moto and tried to push, however
Tyla and Tommy are very fast at the moment and I have not
had too much time leading a race and could not hold the pace
until the end. The results were not bad today and a big improvement
on the last GPs. I hope this will be a new beginning for me,
we go to Lommel next and I like the sand. I would like a top
five there before we go to Loket. I want to finish the season
well for my confidence and for the team."
Davide Guarneri, Yamaha Ricci Racing, 11th:
"I am a little annoyed because I was faster on Saturday
but could not take the positions today; overall it was a hard
GP for me physically. I started well in the first moto but
the track was so difficult for me. There were many ruts in
the corners and it was tough for my knee. I tried to push
but stayed in sixth for most of the race. Towards the end
I felt tired because I cannot stand up on the bike for too
long. I started OK in the second moto and was going for tenth
when I hit my leg quite hard twice on the ground and had to
slow down because of pain. I don't know what really happened
with Antonio. On the fourth corner there were many riders
together. I went for the inside line but it brought me out
on the outside, I did not see him and touched his bike."
Circuit Length: n/a
Crowd: 20,000
Weather: Sunny
2008 GP of South Africa, Nelspruit 20/07/2008
Race 1 - 20 Laps
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
1 Tommy Searle KTM GBR 41'4.235
2 Nicolas Aubin Yamaha FRA 0'11.221
3 Tyla Rattray KTM RSA 0'22.991
4 Shaun Simpson KTM GBR 0'30.016
5 Steven Frossard Kawasaki FRA 0'35.741
6 Xavier Boog Suzuki FRA 1'12.541
7 Marvin Musquin Honda FRA 1'17.182
8 Davide Guarneri Yamaha ITA 1'21.285
9 Jeremy Van Horebeek KTM BEL 1'22.814
10 Stephen Sword Kawasaki GBR 1'27.042
11 Rui Goncalves KTM POR 1'29.102
12 Pascal Leuret Suzuki FRA 1'47.438
13 Manuel Monni Yamaha ITA 1'57.773
14 Gregory Aranda Kawasaki FRA 2'1.662
15 Alessandro Lupino Yamaha ITA 2'19.984
16 Jake Nicholls Suzuki GBR -1 Laps
17 Jeremy Tarroux KTM FRA -1 Laps
18 Deny Philippaerts Yamaha ITA -1 Laps
19 Michael Kok KTM RSA -1 Laps
20 Elliott Banks-Browne Suzuki GBR -2 Laps
Race 2 - 20 Laps
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time
1 Tyla Rattray KTM RSA 41'4.739
2 Tommy Searle KTM GBR 0'4.871
3 Steven Frossard Kawasaki FRA 0'32.461
4 Shaun Simpson KTM GBR 0'37.751
5 Nicolas Aubin Yamaha FRA 0'43.469
6 Jeremy Van Horebeek KTM BEL 0'53.101
7 Xavier Boog Suzuki FRA 1'3.031
8 Marvin Musquin Honda FRA 1'5.999
9 Anthony Boissière KTM FRA 1'7.014
10 Pascal Leuret Suzuki FRA 1'8.334
11 Jake Nicholls Suzuki GBR 1'13.750
12 Jeremy Tarroux KTM FRA 1'14.422
13 Stephen Sword Kawasaki GBR 1'22.643
14 Manuel Monni Yamaha ITA 1'26.306
15 Davide Guarneri Yamaha ITA 1'48.709
16 Alessandro Lupino Yamaha ITA 1'52.516
17 Rui Goncalves KTM POR 2'16.563
18 Michael Kok KTM RSA -1 Laps
19 Deny Philippaerts Yamaha ITA -1 Laps
20 Ross Branch Kawasaki RSA -1 Laps
Rider Standings 20/07/2008
Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points
1. Tyla Rattray KTM RSA 416
2. Tommy Searle KTM GBR 395
3. Antonio Cairoli Yamaha ITA 357
4. Shaun Simpson KTM GBR 287
5. Nicolas Aubin Yamaha FRA 243
6. Rui Goncalves KTM POR 241
7. Xavier Boog Suzuki FRA 211
8. Jeremy Van Horebeek KTM BEL 197
9. Steven Frossard Kawasaki FRA 196
10. Manuel Monni Yamaha ITA 187
11. Marvin Musquin Honda FRA 173
12. Stephen Sword Kawasaki GBR 170
13. Anthony Boissière KTM FRA 158
14. Jeremy Tarroux KTM FRA 140
15. Davide Guarneri Yamaha ITA 133
16. Gregory Aranda Kawasaki FRA 101
17. Joel Roelants KTM BEL 99
18. Gautier Paulin Kawasaki FRA 95
19. Carl Nunn Suzuki GBR 73
20. Wyatt Avis Honda RSA 56
22. Evgeny Bobryshev Yamaha RUS 42
27. Alessandro Lupino Yamaha ITA 30
28. Matteo Bonini Yamaha ITA 25
41. Deny Philippaerts Yamaha ITA 7
Manufacturer Standings 20/07/2008
Pos. Manufacturer Points
1. KTM 469
2. Yamaha 451
3. Kawasaki 316
4. Suzuki 259
5. Honda 194
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