Nederlands
Thibault Benistant of Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing had some good speed on display during the international motocross event at Lacapelle Marival in France. Some Less than optimal starts and a setback in the first race held him back to ninth and sixth in the races respectively.
The event, traditionally a preparatory race for the GP season, attracted a strong entry of top level riders. Other than the week before at Hawkstone Park, the weather was near perfect this time. Thibault carried his good rhythm from the week before across, and posted the fifth fastest qualifying time.
After an iffy start, he was doing well in the first race, but the stalled the bike whilst lying in fifth position, which dropped him to seventh. He worked his way forward again, but unfortunately crashed whilst trying to make a pass, which dropped him to ninth.
Thibault again showed some competitive pace in race two. He shadowed the fifth-placed man, and crossed the line in sixth. In the superfinal, which pitted the top MX1- and MX2 riders against each other, he finished 17th, the sixth MX2 rider home.
Coach Herjan Brakke was cautiously satisfied with the result. “He struggled with his starts today, which meant that he was racing from the back, which is not ideal. Today was a great test for bike and rider, though, and we are positive looking towards the European Championship season.”
The team is in full preparation for the first EMX 250 race of the season, which will take place at Valkenswaard on 7 and 8 March 2020.
Overall international race in Lacapelle Marival:
1 Tom Vialle 50 Pnt
2 Jed Beaton 42 Pnt
3 Rene Hofer 38 Pnt
4 Jago Geerts 36 Pnt
5 Nathan Crawford 34 Pnt
8 Thibault Benistant 27 Pnt