Triple podium for Monster Energy MX crew in Czech Republic
“It was slippery and technical here, difficult for sure,” Pourcel offered up. “They did a good job with the track. I think Antonio made the right move at the right time. I made a little mistake but the rest it was pretty good.”
Floride Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Tommy Searle ramped up the tension with MX2 title rival Jeffrey Herlings through a bruising second moto. The Brit claimed third in the first outing but clashed with the Dutchman in the second and almost went down in a moment of retribution by the points leader shortly afterwards. Herlings claimed the day but Searle kept close and two fiery encounters now lay ahead with home Grand Prix events for both next on the calendar and no love lost between the racers that are split by 57 points with 200 left up for grabs.
Following Searle was Monster Energy Yamaha’s Zach Osborne. The Virginian was steady across a unique track on the calendar (there isn’t anywhere with the slippy hard-pack and inclines like Loket) to go 4-4 in the motos and was pumped with his first podium finish of 2012. It was also the second for the ‘stars and stripes’. “It is great to be on the podium on what is such a special track,” he said. “Today was a good result. I didn’t set the world on fire but two fourth positions was a solid day. It is hard to come back mid-season from an injury because a lot of guys have good race pace and have done a lot more motos. It doesn’t matter how much training you do, you can’t really beat riding GPs week-in week-out. To be on the podium with two decent results and to get the ball rolling is really positive.”
Osborne’s team-mate Mel Pocock had earlier in the day aced the second moto of the European EMX2 series and went ‘four out of four’ in a perfect win streak in 2012. The Brit is controlling the Grand Prix feeder championship after four of seven rounds.
Next weekend is the calm before the storm. From August 16-19 ten classes and more than 500 riders will descend on the acclaimed Matterley Basin circuit near England’s south coast for the British Grand Prix and the MXGP Festival spread over four days for the biggest FIM and UEM World and European meeting in recent history. Monster Energy will be playing a hefty part with some special prizes for amateur and junior races and a few other surprises. Don’t miss it.
Images by Milagro
