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GP of Turkey: Musquin takes second successive MX2 podium

In Offroad

14 aprile 2009

GP of Turkey: Musquin takes second successive MX2 podium

Hezarfen, a small airfield situated on the banks of the Marmara Sea and a twenty minute drive from Istanbul, inaugurated the first ever Grand Prix of Turkey for the third round of the 2009 MX1 and MX2 Motocross World Championships. Italian Antonio Cairoli won the MX1 category with American Zach Osborne victorious in the MX2 series.

Honda’s notable performers on the day were NGS Honda’s Marvin Musquin who claimed third step of the MX2 podium while Martin Honda’s Kevin Strijbos finished fifth in the premier class.

The event was well supported with 30,000 spectators (weekend figure) flocking to the venue with a newly built track offering varying degrees of grip and a twisty layout meaning a more technical and slower prospect compared to the high speeds experienced seven days previously in Bulgaria.

Strijbos, who was able to practice during the week for the first time since the GP of Italy two weeks ago, made an excellent start on his fuel injected CRF450R in the first moto through cold winds and ran a close second to Cairoli for the first part of the race. He eventually slowed and was overtaken by Steve Ramon but third position was still his best race result since the final GP of 2007.

In Moto2 the Belgian was again quick away from the line but a crash on the first lap when he lost the front end landing from a jump meant that he had to recover from the rear of the pack to climb to seventh at the flag.

Team-mate Marc de Reuver did not have a happy Grand Prix despite showing good speed in practice. The Dutchman could not find a consistent rhythm across the hard and rough bumps and was a lowly 21st overall with only seven points from the first moto to show for his efforts.

CAS Honda were down to half-strength in Turkey as Cedric Melotte’s back injury, sustained in Bulgaria, kept the Belgian away from motorcycles. Billy Mackenzie is still far from fit after suffering a spate of small ailments (possible cracked rib, tendonitis, groin strain) that have prevented the Scotsman from preparing sufficiently while away from the GP circuit. In Turkey he picked up another niggling problem after a crash on Saturday left him with a sore right ankle. He was able to finish 16th
overall with 12th and 20th positions.

Credit to LS Motors Honda’s Clement Desalle who registered two top ten places for a respectable eighth place in the final classification. The Belgian is Honda’s highest placed runner in the championship standings with ninth and 12 points away from further promotion. Strijbos sits just behind Desalle in 10th.

In the MX2 class Bulgarian Grand Prix winner Marvin Musquin (NGS Honda) scored his second podium result in a row with 3rd position. The Frenchman was fifth and second in a meeting won by Zach Osborne. The teenager is now just five points away from the top of the series’ standings. Frenchman SRS Honda’s Khounsith Vongsana clinched a career-best finish with fourth overall courtesy of a fine second spot in the first moto after an excellent start.

The World Championship will now halt for a week after three successive races. The Grand Prix of Benelux at the Eurocircuit, Valkenswaard in the Netherlands will host round four of fifteen on April 26th.

Kevin Strijbos, Martin Honda, 5th:
“The first moto was really good for me, and I was happy with how it went. Steve came close and I got a bit of arm-pump so I had to let him go but third was still OK. In the second moto I had the holeshot and was second into the next corner. I was doing well but when I landed from a jump the front wheel washed out and I crashed. It took me a while to get up and I was 25th but I could push my way up to seventh. I was quite pleased with today but I know it could have been better and possibly a first podium. The track was OK, it was just difficult to pass if you were with the quick guys.”

Billy Mackenzie, CAS Honda, 16th:
“I am not bike-fit at the moment because I have been carrying injuries and have not ridden during the week since February so this is holding me back. I seem to get on OK for the first 15-20 minutes and I am noticing that I can go further for longer each week, so it is improving. I think my speed is there and we just need to get the bike working a little bit better for me and then we should progress. It is down to me to get the mileage on the Honda and get into better race shape. Hopefully with the weekend off I will now be able to get down to the practice track and get my head on the job.”

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