Team Suzuki Press Office – January 17.
Cedric Soubeyras – Team FRO Systems Suzuki – 1st
Evgeny Bobryshev – RFX Suzuki – 5th
Cyrille Coulon – SR75 World Suzuki – 8th
Thomas Ramette – SR75 World Suzuki -12th
Reigning French Supercross Champion Cedric Soubeyras raced his Team FRO Systems Suzuki RM-Z450 to victory in the second round of the 2018 Power Maxed Arenacross Tour at the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena in the UK at the weekend as defending series champions SR75 World Suzuki suffered with some setbacks.
Soubeyras, who earned an additional three points by cleaning-up in the hot lap event, moved into the lead of the eight-round series as SR75 World Suzuki’s reigning champion Thomas Ramette dropped to seventh, but with plenty of races left.
Team RFX Suzuki rider Evgeny Bobryshev also put himself in the series hunt following his Suzuki RM-Z450 debut last weekend with fifth position in the Final and now sits 10th in the points.
Following an almost perfect start to the 2018 Power Maxed Arenacross Tour when Cyrille Coulon and Thomas Ramette finished second and third, SR75 World Team Suzuki took a hit with both riders finishing well down in the Main Event.
Qualification went well with reigning champion Ramette and an under-the-weather Coulon posting solid times in both sessions to run 2-6 with Ramette just 0.003 off pole position.
For the Main Event the riders had 4-7 gate picks with Ramette on the outside, but he nailed another incredible start to somehow take the holeshot and he took a solid control of the race but Coulon had a big crash on lap one when he landed on a tuff block which dropped him to the back.
Up front, Ramette looked super-smooth until he got a tuff block cover stuck in his rear wheel. Forced to drop his pace, eventually the rear brake failed causing a crash.
Geoff Walker – Team Principal:
“Tough nights come along and we deal with them together as a team. It can’t be podiums every time and we have a great understanding of this coupled with a great determination and belief in ourselves.
“The organisers and crew did a great job to give us a race track here in Newcastle. Our Suzuki race bikes, crew and riders were amazing again tonight and the effort is exactly the same win or lose. We love this and we relish a challenge. A massive thanks to Suzuki UK and of course all of our team partners involved in making this dream happen.”
Cyrille Coulon – 8th:
“I am not happy with the result but I am happy with my riding. I rode fast in the Main Event from the back and I want to win races. I am a little sick this week so I tried to control my energy. I feel fast and I am looking forward to the next round in Birmingham. Thanks to my team and all my sponsors.”
Thomas Ramette – 12th:
“Of course tonight is disappointing. I feel great on the bike and I want to go faster. I have had something happen tonight which is unfortunate but this is racing. My focus is stronger than ever now and with no pressure I can race with freedom so I cannot wait to get to Birmingham. Thanks as always to everyone involved with SR75 Suzuki. We are having fun and giving 100 per cent as always.”
Pro Main Event Result:
1. Cedric Soubeyras (Team FRO Systems Suzuki)
2. Fabien Izoird
3. Hugo Basaula
4. Charles Lefrancois
5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RFX Suzuki)
6. Jack Brunell
7. James Dunn
8. Cyrille Coulon (SR75 World Suzuki)
9. Ashley Greedy
10. Dan Reardon
Pro Championship Points:
1. Cedric Soubeyras, Team FRO Systems, 38 points
2. Charles Lefrancois, Buildbase Honda, 38
3. Fabien Izoird, Buildbase Honda, 34
4. Hugo Basaula, Shocktech Kawasaki, 30
5. Cyrille Coulon, SR75 World Suzuki, 29
6. Jack Brunell, Team Green Holeshot Kawasaki, 25
7. Thomas Ramette, SR75 World Suzuki, 23
8. Ashley Greedy, Team FRO Systems, 18
9. Dan Reardon, JK I-Fly Yamaha Racing, 18
10. Evgeny Bobryshev, RFX Suzuki, 14
