Mantova Report – First 2009 appearance for Kawasaki MX riders

Posted by Ray | 11 February 2009 | Comment

The Motocross season kicked off with the first International Motocross race in Mantova. Official
Kawasaki riders Swanepoel, Frossard, Aranda and Rombout were competing against a
star-studded field.

After weeks of intensive rains the track was seriously damaged when the teams arrived in Mantova. The
sand was very heavy and the track came rougher than a Dutch one according to Steven Frossard who
said that ‘the racing conditions were worse than in Valkenswaard last year’.

Gareth Swanepoel (pictured): “It’s always hard to adjust to the rough track conditions and cold temperatures after
being off the bike over the Winter period. I have had an excellent base training in South Africa. During
qualifying I was really satisfied with the bike and with my 12th position. Sunday’s three, 25 minute races in
the deep wet sand were great to test my new bike in tough conditions. Reassuringly, in all 3 heats my bike
was very fast off the line and showed great potential for the season. I just tried to keep out of any trouble
and score 3 consistent motos. So I am happy with my 8th position overall.”

Steven Frossard: “On Saturday I had pumped arms, as always every year during the first races, but on
Sunday I felt better. When the classes are mixed the start is always a problem as we can’t do anything
with a 250, and after the first start I was stopped by riders who just collided. I was in the top twelve of the
second race when I went twice during the opening lap on a wet part of the track and crashed. My last start
was not too bad, but I retired with a technical problem. That’s also the interest of these International
races; you can ride in racing conditions and see how it’s going. For sure these problems will be solved
soon, and in Valence the 250 and 450 will be in 2 different classes again so it will be better for us”
Gregory Aranda: “This event is really early in the season, but it’s a good opportunity to ride against our
rivals and see what are our level is. I missed the three starts, but I was able to come back in the top
twelve; unfortunately I crashed when I was right behind Swanepoel, and then hit another bike in the
middle of the track. I’m pleased with my tenth and eleventh positions in the other races, especially on this
sandy and wet track”

Loic Rombaut: “Saturday was not so bad, I qualified sixteenth despite a crash during the opening lap. But
the organizer didn’t take in consideration my result for the positions on the grid, and I started the races
from the waiting zone. It was huge disadvantage as I started so far from the pack but I did consistent
races and I’m pretty satisfied with my tenth place overall. Physically I had no problems, except pumped
arms during the first practice session but the more damaged the track was the better I felt.”

Image by Ray Chuss