Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe were able to welcome more celebrations today at the Grand Prix of Belgium as teenager Brian Hsu grabbed his first podium finish with the runner-up slot in the sixth round of eight in the European EMX125 Championship.
Some 19,000 spectators at Bastogne crowded the fast and loose soil of the San Souci layout for what was the 15th fixture from 17 in the FIM Motocross World Championship; and with Max Anstie and Jeremy Seewer taking their RM-Z250s to 10th and 11th overall respectively in the MX2 class, it was left to Hsu to post the best honours for the German crew.
Dark skies and light rainfall covered the venue at times as the flat and rapid course close to the historic town in southeast Belgium welcomed the FIM series for the second year in a row. The terrain was a test of hard, slick and then bumpy and slippery loose dirt around the curving layout.
Hsu's achievement was a positive way to start the day for the team: The 15 year old started the EMX125 heat strongly on his RM125 and was part of a quartet that dictated the best pace around the big jumps and through the Ardennes trees. Following Pauls Jonass, Hsu was able to defeat Nicolas Dercourt and accepted the accolades in his first season on the 125 two-stroke.
Anstie's Grand Prix was a familiar tale of recovery from mid-pack starts. The Brit was back in action after receiving medical treatment two weeks ago in the Czech Republic for a wound to his right arm. Anstie felt the effects of the ailment at moments during the first 35 minute and two-lap moto and persevered to ninth by the finish line. The second affair was quite dramatic as he almost clashed with Maxime Desprey over a jump and briefly ran off the track; and then was concerned with an altered engine noise which he later found out was caused by a dislodged side panel. Anstie made the finish with 13th position to show for his efforts and retains ninth in the MX2 standings.
Jeremy Seewer was 11th overall and fortunate to be riding at all after a scary crash on Saturday from which the Swiss was able to walk away with only bruises. The current European EMX250 Championship title contender made a superb start from his disadvantaged gate position and despite a small spill still recorded 12th place in Moto1. He was 15th in the second race after working hard through the extended distance (the EMX250 outings are 15 minutes shorter).
The British Grand Prix - also the second ever MXGP Festival - at the popular Matterley Basin circuit in southern England will see the full compliment of Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe's line-up in action with 85, 125, 250 and MX2 representation travelling to the penultimate meeting on the FIM Motocross World Championship calendar.
Max Anstie:
"We didn't get the rain we were expecting! I tried making the best of the first moto in the opening corners but was messed-up and didn't get the break that I needed. I kept coming forward. My hand fell off the bars a couple of times coming through the waves and it scared me a little bit. Maybe from the crash at Loket my arm was a little bit tight. It didn't feel that bad but I lost the feeling a few times so I had to back things down slightly at the three-quarter stage. The track was weird: It was flat and fast and there was not a lot really going on. Unfortunately I was quite far back again on the first lap of the second moto but kept plugging away. Towards the end, the side panel fell off and the bike sounded a bit strange; and at first I thought it might have been an engine problem. All-in-all I felt that my riding was really good and I felt strong. I'd like to be a bit further up in the early laps. Now we have a few days and I want to try and get ready to smash them in Matterley."
Jeremy Seewer:
"My speed was really good yesterday on this track and I had a great start in the Heat race but on the first lap there was so much dust. I couldn't see much on the take-off of the finish line jump and I crashed over the bars. Today it was difficult to start totally from the outside but I did well to get in the top seven or eight. The speed is really high and that is the big difference between this level and the Europeans; you can really feel it. I was doing OK in 11th but had a small crash and I'm not sure what caused it. I got pushed-out in the first corner of the second moto and the race was a bit 'over' at that point. I was outside the top 20 and pushed back to 16th. I'm quite happy. Things are getting better and better and we'll see what the European Championship brings now in the last two races."
Brian Hsu:
"It is great to be back on a podium and today was amazing. I loved the conditions out there but the track was a bit easy and it was hard to pass. My start was good and I just enjoyed myself. A big thanks to the team."
MX2 Moto1 result: 1. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 39:49.925; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:02.250; 3. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:08.949; 4. Maxime Desprey (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.991; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, KTM), +0:17.462; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, KTM), +0:22.893; 7. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:23.854; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:25.969; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +0:34.420; 10. Jason Clermont (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:38.677; 12. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:52.832.
MX2 Moto2 result: 1. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 40:04.608; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:01.752; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:15.570; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, KTM), +0:17.751; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:18.773; 6. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +0:19.838; 7. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:20.959; 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:23.072; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +0:33.329; 10. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Honda), +0:39.377; 13. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +0:49.926; 15. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +1:11.599.
MX2 Overall result: 1. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 50 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 38 p.; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 35 p.; 4. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, KTM), 34 p.; 6. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 34 p.; 7. Maxime Desprey (FRA, Yamaha), 28 p.; 8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Jason Clermont (FRA, Kawasaki), 20 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 20 p.; 11. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 15 p.
MX2 World Championship Classification (after 15 of 17 rounds): 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 692 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 553 p.; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 470 p.; 4. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 439 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 412 p.; 6. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 409 p.; 7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 370 p.; 8. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), 306 p.; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 302 p.; 10. Petar Petrov (BUL, Yamaha), 267 p.
European EMX125 result: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 29:14.725; 2. Brian Hsu (GER, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +0:03.088; 3. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, Yamaha), +0:04.762; 4. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:23.257; 5. Henry Jacobi (GER, KTM), +0:38.106.
Bastogne MX2 and EMX125 Image Gallery: CLICK HERE FPOR PHOTOS
Some 19,000 spectators at Bastogne crowded the fast and loose soil of the San Souci layout for what was the 15th fixture from 17 in the FIM Motocross World Championship; and with Max Anstie and Jeremy Seewer taking their RM-Z250s to 10th and 11th overall respectively in the MX2 class, it was left to Hsu to post the best honours for the German crew.
Dark skies and light rainfall covered the venue at times as the flat and rapid course close to the historic town in southeast Belgium welcomed the FIM series for the second year in a row. The terrain was a test of hard, slick and then bumpy and slippery loose dirt around the curving layout.
Hsu's achievement was a positive way to start the day for the team: The 15 year old started the EMX125 heat strongly on his RM125 and was part of a quartet that dictated the best pace around the big jumps and through the Ardennes trees. Following Pauls Jonass, Hsu was able to defeat Nicolas Dercourt and accepted the accolades in his first season on the 125 two-stroke.
Anstie's Grand Prix was a familiar tale of recovery from mid-pack starts. The Brit was back in action after receiving medical treatment two weeks ago in the Czech Republic for a wound to his right arm. Anstie felt the effects of the ailment at moments during the first 35 minute and two-lap moto and persevered to ninth by the finish line. The second affair was quite dramatic as he almost clashed with Maxime Desprey over a jump and briefly ran off the track; and then was concerned with an altered engine noise which he later found out was caused by a dislodged side panel. Anstie made the finish with 13th position to show for his efforts and retains ninth in the MX2 standings.
Jeremy Seewer was 11th overall and fortunate to be riding at all after a scary crash on Saturday from which the Swiss was able to walk away with only bruises. The current European EMX250 Championship title contender made a superb start from his disadvantaged gate position and despite a small spill still recorded 12th place in Moto1. He was 15th in the second race after working hard through the extended distance (the EMX250 outings are 15 minutes shorter).
The British Grand Prix - also the second ever MXGP Festival - at the popular Matterley Basin circuit in southern England will see the full compliment of Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe's line-up in action with 85, 125, 250 and MX2 representation travelling to the penultimate meeting on the FIM Motocross World Championship calendar.
Max Anstie:
"We didn't get the rain we were expecting! I tried making the best of the first moto in the opening corners but was messed-up and didn't get the break that I needed. I kept coming forward. My hand fell off the bars a couple of times coming through the waves and it scared me a little bit. Maybe from the crash at Loket my arm was a little bit tight. It didn't feel that bad but I lost the feeling a few times so I had to back things down slightly at the three-quarter stage. The track was weird: It was flat and fast and there was not a lot really going on. Unfortunately I was quite far back again on the first lap of the second moto but kept plugging away. Towards the end, the side panel fell off and the bike sounded a bit strange; and at first I thought it might have been an engine problem. All-in-all I felt that my riding was really good and I felt strong. I'd like to be a bit further up in the early laps. Now we have a few days and I want to try and get ready to smash them in Matterley."
Jeremy Seewer:
"My speed was really good yesterday on this track and I had a great start in the Heat race but on the first lap there was so much dust. I couldn't see much on the take-off of the finish line jump and I crashed over the bars. Today it was difficult to start totally from the outside but I did well to get in the top seven or eight. The speed is really high and that is the big difference between this level and the Europeans; you can really feel it. I was doing OK in 11th but had a small crash and I'm not sure what caused it. I got pushed-out in the first corner of the second moto and the race was a bit 'over' at that point. I was outside the top 20 and pushed back to 16th. I'm quite happy. Things are getting better and better and we'll see what the European Championship brings now in the last two races."
Brian Hsu:
"It is great to be back on a podium and today was amazing. I loved the conditions out there but the track was a bit easy and it was hard to pass. My start was good and I just enjoyed myself. A big thanks to the team."
MX2 Moto1 result: 1. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 39:49.925; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:02.250; 3. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:08.949; 4. Maxime Desprey (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.991; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, KTM), +0:17.462; 6. Tim Gajser (SLO, KTM), +0:22.893; 7. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:23.854; 8. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:25.969; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +0:34.420; 10. Jason Clermont (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:38.677; 12. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki), +0:52.832.
MX2 Moto2 result: 1. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 40:04.608; 2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:01.752; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +0:15.570; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, KTM), +0:17.751; 5. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), +0:18.773; 6. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +0:19.838; 7. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:20.959; 8. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:23.072; 9. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), +0:33.329; 10. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, Honda), +0:39.377; 13. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +0:49.926; 15. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +1:11.599.
MX2 Overall result: 1. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 50 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 38 p.; 3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 35 p.; 4. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Romain Febvre (FRA, KTM), 34 p.; 6. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 34 p.; 7. Maxime Desprey (FRA, Yamaha), 28 p.; 8. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Jason Clermont (FRA, Kawasaki), 20 p.; 10. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 20 p.; 11. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 15 p.
MX2 World Championship Classification (after 15 of 17 rounds): 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 692 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 553 p.; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 470 p.; 4. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 439 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 412 p.; 6. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 409 p.; 7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 370 p.; 8. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), 306 p.; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 302 p.; 10. Petar Petrov (BUL, Yamaha), 267 p.
European EMX125 result: 1. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 29:14.725; 2. Brian Hsu (GER, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), +0:03.088; 3. Nicolas Dercourt (FRA, Yamaha), +0:04.762; 4. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), +0:23.257; 5. Henry Jacobi (GER, KTM), +0:38.106.
Bastogne MX2 and EMX125 Image Gallery: CLICK HERE FPOR PHOTOS
