Team Suzuki Press Office – March 7.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP’s Clement Desalle kept up his fast and consistent pace in the formative stages of the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship by riding to second position in qualification for the Grand Prix of Thailand at Nakhonchaisri today.
The Belgian made a decent leap out of the gate and was just beaten to the holeshot by Ryan Villopoto who then escaped with the 20-minute Heat race.
Before action got underway on Saturday morning the team took some time to visit a new local attraction called ‘Woodland Fantasy’ - a fascinating setting and exhibition involving over 10,000 wood carvings and models as one of the biggest collections of its type in the world. Arriving at the new race facility 60km west of Bangkok it was clear that the temperatures (around 30 degrees and hotter when the sun appeared from behind cloud cover) would be a key factor in the performance and endurance of the riders.
It was Desalle who seemed to be coping the best and for the second time in a week clocked the fastest lap in Timed Practice to seal provisional Pole. He clung to the back of Villopoto and a margin of several seconds in the qualification sprint but had to let the rapid American go as he forged his own comfortable gap over Gautier Paulin. Desalle will now have second pick in the gate as he aims for his first win of the year and at least has designs on a second consecutive podium finish.
Team-mate Kevin Strijbos was 16th. The veteran thankfully did not suffer too much with his right wrist that caused pain and discomfort at the series opener last week in Qatar but did endure a crash when he ran off the track and then collided with Tommy Searle. The ‘#22’ tried to recover positions but could only work his way up to the fringe of the top 15.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe’s Glenn Coldenhoff retired from the race. The Dutchman struggled with painful feet on some of the jump landings and aggravated sore toes on his right foot, which meant he had to end the Heat prematurely. The ‘#259’ was still reasonably content with his speed and rhythm but knows he faces an uphill battle in terms of fitness to last both races.
Tomorrow’s two 30-minute and two-lap motos are set to take place in similar hot, humid and sunny conditions. The Grand Prix will also be significant for Suzuki Thailand who will officially launch their first models of the RM-Z450 to the press after the chequered flag has fallen on Sunday.
Clement Desalle:
“Today went quite well. I had a good lap in the Timed Practice and was first to the gate for the Qualification. My start was not bad but Villopoto was completely on the inside. I had a strong first corner and was second by the next few turns. I had a good rhythm but he was a bit faster, although not that much in the beginning. He started to make a gap and so did I and then I found myself riding alone for the rest of the race. The last two laps were hard. I think everybody is struggling with the heat but he [Villopoto] seems used to it. I hope for a good start tomorrow and not many problems with the temperature.”
Kevin Strijbos:
“My start was not too bad and I was running seventh or sixth. I got a got rhythm and speed and everything was coming easy but then I made a mistake. I went off the track at the first double after the first corner and then got the next section wrong as Tommy came close. I ran off the track and then I came back on it was over some ruts. Tommy was coming through and he couldn't miss me and we both crashed. It was my fault and a silly mistake. I was so tired after that. It took the wind out of me and I needed four laps to get going again. I was struggling to breathe properly. I don't know where I was, 16th or something. It wasn’t good but I felt fast before the crash and hope tomorrow I can start in the top five or six and have some nice motos.”
MXGP Qualification Heat result: 1. Ryan Villopoto (USA, Kawasaki), 23:41.909; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki), +0:33.419; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Honda), +0:39.764; 4. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:45.150; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:53.571; 6. Tyla Rattray (RSA, Kawasaki), +0:57.761; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:03.839; 8. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +1:08.477; 9. Steven Frossard (FRA, KTM), +1:13.457; 10. Tommy Searle (GBR, KTM), +1:14.376; 13. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki), +1:24.155; 28. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), -6 lap(s).