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First 2009 appearance for Kawasaki MX riders

In Offroad

11 febbraio 2009

First 2009 appearance for Kawasaki MX riders

The Motocross season kicked off with the first International Motocross race in Mantova. Official Kawasaki riders Swanepoel, Frossard, Aranda and Rombout were competing against a star-studded field.
First 2009 appearance for Kawasaki MX riders
After weeks of intensive rains the track was seriously damaged when the teams arrived in Mantova. The sand was very heavy and the track came rougher than a Dutch one according to Steven Frossard who said that ‘the racing conditions were worse than in Valkenswaard last year’.

Gareth Swanepoel: “It’s always hard to adjust to the rough track conditions and cold temperatures after being off the bike over the Winter period. I have had an excellent base training in South Africa. During qualifying I was really satisfied with the bike and with my 12th position. Sunday’s three, 25 minute races in the deep wet sand were great to test my new bike in tough conditions. Reassuringly, in all 3 heats my bike was very fast off the line and showed great potential for the season. I just tried to keep out of any trouble and score 3 consistent motos. So I am happy with my 8th position overall."

Steven Frossard: “On Saturday I had pumped arms, as always every year during the first races, but on Sunday I felt better. When the classes are mixed the start is always a problem as we can’t do anything with a 250, and after the first start I was stopped by riders who just collided. I was in the top twelve of the second race when I went twice during the opening lap on a wet part of the track and crashed. My last start was not too bad, but I retired with a technical problem. That’s also the interest of these International races; you can ride in racing conditions and see how it’s going. For sure these problems will be solved soon, and in Valence the 250 and 450 will be in 2 different classes again so it will be better for us”

Gregory Aranda: “This event is really early in the season, but it’s a good opportunity to ride against our rivals and see what are our level is. I missed the three starts, but I was able to come back in the top twelve; unfortunately I crashed when I was right behind Swanepoel, and then hit another bike in the middle of the track. I’m pleased with my tenth and eleventh positions in the other races, especially on this sandy and wet track”

Loic Rombaut: “Saturday was not so bad, I qualified sixteenth despite a crash during the opening lap. But the organizer didn’t take in consideration my result for the positions on the grid, and I started the races from the waiting zone. It was huge disadvantage as I started so far from the pack but I did consistent races and I’m pretty satisfied with my tenth place overall. Physically I had no problems, except pumped arms during the first practice session but the more damaged the track was the better I felt.”