The Grand Prix of Sweden was held on a wet Sunday, with the weather being drizzly all day long.
Jonathan Barragan took victory number two of his career from Steve Ramon and series leader David Philippaerts. In the MX2 class Tony Cairoli came back to victory, topping the podium from KTM fellow riders Tyla Rattray and Shaun Simpson.
MX1
Winning heat one and settling for second in heat two, AXO KTM Silver Action’s Jonathan Barragan wrapped up the overall for the second time this year after Mallory, which marked his first career win. Defending MX1 Champion Steve Ramon of Teka Suzuki WMX1 was second on the podium to mark his comeback to the rostrum after his last appearance at Bellpuig, the venue of his maiden MX1 win this year. Series leader David Philippaerts of Yamaha Monster Motocross took third overall from moto two winner Max Nagl and Billy Mackenzie.
Top five overall: 1. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 47 points; 2. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 40 p.; 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 36 p.; 4. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Honda), 29 p.
MX1 RACE 1
Boniface took the holeshot and led the first part of heat one before dropping down to an eventual sixth. After a solid start, Barragan attacked and passed the Frenchman to secure the victory from a strong De Reuver.
Ramon rounded off the top three with Philippaerts pushing him in the final laps, when both moved past Boniface. Desalle rounded off the top five while Mackenzie dropped down to seventh after riding the opening laps in second. Pourcel and Coppins ended 11th and 13th respectively after crashing in the opening lap.
Top five: 1. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 39:23.245; ; 2. Marc de Reuver (NED, Honda), +0:05.231; 3. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), +0:07.373; 4. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:09.689; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:16.662
MX1 RACE 2
Nagl dominated the final heat from the start to the flag, leaving a wise Barragan behind in second which was enough for the Spaniard to secure the overall win. Ramon took another third place ahead of Philippaerts with Coppins rounding off the top five courtesy of a last lap move on Mackenzie, sixth. De Reuver crashed twice and dnf’d while Pourcel remained blocked on the start gate due to a machine’s problem.
Top five: 1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 40:23.192; ; 2. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), +0:16.793; 3. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), +0:26.090; 4. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:34.407; 5. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), +0:38.064
MX2
Yamaha Red Bull De Carli’s Antonio Cairoli took the overall win after a two GP absence from the top step of the podium. The Sicilian was first from KTM fellow riders Tyla Rattray (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Shaun Simpson (KTM UK). Rattray won heat one but settled for the points in moto two and kept the red plate. Simpson was third and second to finish third ahead of Tommy Searle and Steven Frossard, who rounded off the top five.
After some laps of the first moto, Pascal Leuret retired as he felt unbearable pain to his recently operated right shoulder and elbow.
Top five overall: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 47 points; 2. Tyla Rattray (RSA, KTM), 45 p.; 3. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 42 p.; 4. Tommy Searle (GBR, KTM), 33 p.; 5. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 32 p.
MX2 RACE 1
Simpson led the group for the first half of the heat then Rattray moved past to win the moto from Cairoli; the latter worked his way up after a difficult start, moving past Simpson despite the Brit fought tooth and nail for the runner up position. Simpson was third ahead of Frossard and Aubin. Searle was sixth, as he crashed after a close overtaking move Cairoli made on him.
Top five: 1. Tyla Rattray (RSA, KTM), 39:20.658; ; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), +0:08.094; 3. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:09.872; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:14.416; 5. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, Yamaha), +0:22.044
MX2 RACE 2
Simpson was again the quickest to jump out of the gate and Rattray followed from second with Searle completing a KTM top three after moving past Cairoli. The latter waited until mid race distance then made his moves on Searle and Rattray. Cairoli chased Simpson for first and eventually passed to take the win. Simpson defended the runner up spot from Rattray, who ended third from Searle and Tarroux.
Top five: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 39:11.405; ; 2. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:02.757; 3. Tyla Rattray (RSA, KTM), +0:03.980; 4. Tommy Searle (GBR, KTM), +0:07.080; 5. Jeremy Tarroux (FRA, KTM), +0:40.019
IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
Philippaerts overtook the 300 point barrier and still leads the points standings; the new runner up is Ramon with Coppins dropping to third after a difficult Swedish weekend. De Dycker and Pourcel round off the top five with Barragan being sixth and very close to Pourcel.
Top ten: 1. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 302 points; 2. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 290 p.; 3. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), 286 p.; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Suzuki), 266 p.; 5. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 241 p.; 6. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 239 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 213 p.; 8. Tanel Leok (EST, Kawasaki), 209 p.; 9. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Honda), 205 p.; 10. Marc de Reuver (NED, Honda), 178 p.
Rattray will take the red plate home to South Africa in two weeks while Cairoli has moved up to second in the points, overtaking Searle-now third. Simpson and Goncalves round off the top five.
Top ten: 1. Tyla Rattray (RSA, KTM), 371 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 357 p.; 3. Tommy Searle (GBR, KTM), 348 p.; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 251 p.; 5. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 227 p.; 6. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, Yamaha), 205 p.; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Suzuki), 182 p.; 8. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), 172 p.; 9. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 170 p.; 10. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 160 p.
WHAT’S NEXT Round ten of 15 will take place at the brand new venue of Nelspruit, in South Africa, on July 20.
THE EVENT’S SCHEDULE
The Grand Prix was broadcast live on:
EUROSPORT 2 (Pan Europe) : MX1 Race 1 at 13:00 and Race 2 at 16:00 CET
MOTORS TV (Pan Europe): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00 CET
SPORT ITALIA (Italy): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00 CET
VRT (Belgium): MX1 Race 1 at 13:00 and Race 2 N/A CET
GALAXIE SPORT (Czech Republic): MX2 Race 2 at 15:00 CET
ART (Pan Middle East): MX1 Race 2 at 14:00 GMT
SPORT TV (Slovenia): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00 CET
EUROSPORT WORLD (PAN ASIA): MX1 Race 1 at 11:00 and Race 2 at 14:00 GMT
MEDIAZONE (Worldwide): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00; MX1 Race 1 at 13:00 and Race 2 at 16:00 CET
TRANS 7 (Indonesia): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00; MX1 Race 1 at 13:00 and Race 2 at 16:00 CET
SPORT TV (Portugal): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00 CET
The Grand Prix will be broadcast delayed on:
EUROSPORT WORLD (Pan Asia): Monday July 7; MX1 Race 1 at 02:00 and at 07:30; MX1 Race 2 at 08:15 and at 16:45; MX2 Class at 17:30 and at 21:30. Tuesday July 8; MX1 Race 2 at 04:00, at 10:30 and at 22:30; MX2 Class at 11:15 and at 23:15 GMT
AMERICA ONE SPORTS (USA): Second Tuesday after the GP; MX2 Race 2 at 21:00; MX1 Race 2 at 22:00 USA Eastern Time
GAORA: MX2 Race 1 and Race 2; MX1 Race 1 and Race 2; N/A CET
Information, photos and results are online at http://www.motocrossMX1.com , the official website of the FIM Motocross World Championships.
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- Daniele RIZZI -