The second day of the Italian GP at the Mugello circuit end tricolor
The third free practice session and the qualifying ended today under a Tuscan summer sun.
After a morning that saw the two riders of the MV Agusta Forward Racing team continue to constantly increase the work begun yesterday, this afternoon the Italian-Swiss racing team has a very close look at the entry in Q2.
Stefano Manzi, who is leading a weekend in comeback, during his fast lap was managing to enter the second qualifying round, when due to a slowdown of a rider in front of him was forced to brake his ride to this first important goal.
This compromised his qualification and tomorrow he will start from the eighth row. The mood is still high and the young cadet of the VR46 Riders Academy is fully engaged to ride his MV Agusta F2 painted with the Italian flag.
Dominique Aegerter will start from a position in front of his teammate and, as usual, will give his all to be able to lead a race all comeback.
Thomas Kjer Olsen third overall at Grand Prix MX2 in France
Once again securing a place on the overall MX2 class podium, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Kjer Olsen has finished third overall at round seven of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship, the MXGP of France.
Despite making things harder for himself than they should have been following a poor start in the second moto, TKO again delivered an impressive set of results to land his sixth podium finish from seven GPs. A relatively straightforward opening moto saw the Dane initially place fifth before moving to third on lap seven and going on to hold the position through to the end of the moto.
Thomas Kjer Olsen takes second overall in the GP MX2 in Lombardia
Thomas Kjer Olsen completed a successful GP of Lombardia, maintaining his position as red plate championship leader despite a challenging opening moto. Running into trouble at the start of the first MX2 race, Kjer Olsen rounded the first full lap down in 17th place – a hugely disadvantaged position due to the muddy conditions. Not rushing things, he steadily worked his way forward to hold eighth mid-race. Pushing forward a further two positions, TKO secured a deserved sixth place result.
Pleased with his speed during the first race, the second moto saw TKO avoid first corner trouble, circulating in a strong fourth at the end of lap one. Quickly up to third, which he held until lap seven, he moved into the runner-up position on lap eight. Managing the difficult track conditions well he held on to the runner-up result and with it claimed enough points to finish second overall.
The GP of Lombardia was bittersweet for Jed Beaton. Securing his best moto finish of the season to date with a confidence-boosting third in the opening moto, Jed then sat comfortably inside the top 10 for much of the second MX2 race. Holding sixth from lap two to lap 11 a crash while landing from a jump knocked the wind out of his sails and damaged his bike. Finishing the race in an eventual 17th, Jed placed seventh overall for the day.
In the FIM Europe EMX125 European Motocross Championship, TC 125 powered Kay de Wolf finished 10th overall at Mantova with 20-6 results. Kay holds fifth in the series standings.
The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team now head to round six of the FIM Motocross World Championship, the MXGP of Portugal, on May 19.
Thomas Kjer-Olsen: “That was a tough GP, especially the first moto. Considering I got caught up in the first corner, as well as needing to make a goggle change, I’m pleased that I was able to work my way back to sixth. It’s never ideal to have so much work to do in a race, but I kept my cool and worked my way forward. I’m pleased with the way I rode. The track was tough, but I kind of enjoyed it. It was tricky in places but not too difficult, having some sand in the terrain meant it wasn’t full-on mud. I felt good in the second moto. A good start helped me a lot. I moved forward a few places and ran second for most of the moto, which I’m pleased with. It’s been a positive weekend and I’m looking forward to Portugal now.”