MX World Championship Season Kicks Off
Cycle News Staff | March 30, 2009
Rain soaked the Italian Faenza circuit, host to the opening round of the FIM Motocross World Championship on Sunday, turning it into a one-moto quagmire and less of a preview of the season to come. Many of the likely candidates for the ’09 World Championship in both classes had sub-par finishes, but the redeeming quality of the abbreviated season opener was summed up by American rider, Zach Osborne, “It is unfortunate that I did badly, but looking ahead I am only 25 points behind instead of 50; today could have been a lot worse.”However, there were two riders who could still call it a good day, namely Tanel Leok (pictured right) and Gautier Paulin who topped the MX1 and MX2 classes, respectively. Yamaha Red Bull Di Carli rider Leok paddled his way to victory, keeping his YZ450F upright long enough to motor his way past Steve Ramon and Marc de Reuver.”It was important not to stop out there,” Leok said. “I had some luck because nobody crashed in front of me but my approach was to always keep the bike rolling.”Ken de Dycker made his way past Clement Desalle on the final lap to squeeze into second, while Desalle completed the MX1 podium. Yamaha Monster Energy’s David Philippaerts captured the pole position on Saturday, but took a rock to the eye and finished ninth. Sebastien Pourcel pulled out after going down in the first turn. Antonio Cairoli made his MX1 season debut, but was only able to collect fifth.In the MX2 ranks, it was Paulin’s first win, which he took after battling with KTM riders Jeremy Van Horebeek and Steven Sword. Van Horebeek would go on to claim second followed by Marvin Musquin while Sword finished a disappointing 17th after being pitched off on a step-up.Many eyes were on Shaun Simpson, who was expected to make a splash in the MX2 division this year. He did exactly that – quite literally – when he fell into deep mud puddle on the first lap. He spent the rest of the race clawing his way back up to 11th place.Grand Prix of Italy
Faenza, Italy
Results: March 29, 2009 (Round 1 of 15)MX1 MOTO 1: 1. Tanel Leok (Yam); 2. Ken de Dycker (Suz); 3. Clement Desalle (Hon); 4. Aigar Leok (TM); 5. Antonio Cairoli (Yam); 6. Josh Coppins (Yam); 7. Max Nagl (KTM); 8. Tom Church (CCM); 9. David Philippaerts (Yam); 10. Jonathan Barragan (KTM); 11. Jason Dougan (CCM); 12. Steve Ramon (Suz); 13. Gareth Swanepoel (Kaw); 14. Marc de Reuver (Hon); 15. Julien Bill (Apr); 16. Kevin Wouts (Hon); 17. Kevin Strijbos (Hon); 18. James Noble (Suz); 19. David Vuillemin (Kaw); 20. Cedric Melotte (Hon).FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MX1 POINTS STANDINGS: 1. Tanel Leok (25); 2. Ken de Dycker (22); 3. Clement Desalle (20); 4. Aigar Leok (18); 5. Antonio Cairoli (16); 6. Josh Coppins (15); 7. Max Nagl (14); 8. Tom Church (13); 9. David Philippaerts (12); 10. Jonathan Barragan (11); 11. Jason Dougan (10); 12. Steve Ramon (9); 13. Gareth Swanepoel (8); 14. Marc de Reuver (7); 15. Julien Bill (6); 16. Kevin Wouts (5); 17. Kevin Strijbos (4); 18. James Noble (3); 19. David Vuillemin (2); 20. Cedric Melotte (1). MX2 MOTO 1: 1. Gautier Paulin (Kaw); 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (KTM); 3. Marvin Musquin (Hon); 4. Davide Guarneri (Yam); 5. Joel Roelants (KTM); 6. Alex Lupino (Yam); 7. Nico Aubin (Yam); 8. Marco Maddii (Suz); 9. Valentin Teillet (KTM); 10. Jake Nicholls (KTM); 11. Shaun Simpson (KTM); 12. Xavier Boog (Suz); 13. Steven Frossard (Kaw); 14. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (KTM); 15. Deny Philippaerts (Yam); 16. Marcus Schiffer (KTM); 17. Stephen Sword (KTM); 18. Jeremy Tarroux (Suz); 19. Loic Rombaut (Kaw); 20. Alessio Chiodi (Suz)FIM MOTOCROSS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MX2 POINTS STANDINGS: 1. Gautier Paulin (25); 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (22); 3. Marvin Musquin (20); 4. Davide Guarneri (18); 5. Joel Roelants (16); 6. Alex Lupino (15); 7. Nico Aubin (14); 8. Marco Maddii (13); 9. Valentin Teillet (12); 10. Jake Nicholls (11); 11. Shaun Simpson (10); 12. Xavier Boog (9); 13. Steven Frossard (8); 14. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (7); 15. Deny Philippaerts (6); 16. Marcus Schiffer (5); 17. Stephen Sword (4); 18. Jeremy Tarroux (3); 19. Loic Rombaut (2); 20. Alessio Chiodi (1).
