2012 proved to be one of the toughest years yet for 25-year-old Evgeny Bobryshev, but having had some time away from the MX1 Grand Prix races and a lot of focus put into his training, the Russian star is looking forwards to getting back out there. We caught up with him to see how things are progressing ahead of his first 2013 outing in Mantova, Italy for the pre-season International.

Since the end of the season in September, did you go home to Russia and did you get some time out in December?
It wasn’t like normal years, as I stayed in Holland leading up to December with my partner Elena after the test in Japan. At the beginning of December we moved to Italy for physical training and I was working hard right up until 23rd December on that side of things. This was doing altitude training in the mountains, running and the gym. It was training twice a day, and it was hard for me. We were working with Dr Francesco Pacelli from the University of Padova, who stays with us some times in the season and Remo Longhin for the altitude training. They totally destroyed me; it was hard work, and I have been with these guys for a few years, so there’s some consistency with what we are doing, which means they know me and what we need to improve.

Then after Christmas how has the training been going? Where did you train and who with?
After Christmas I continued the training schedule and we celebrated New Year in Holland, before going back to Italy for more physical training, although this time it was a little less intense. We then went to Sardinia for riding to start this side of the training. I feel much better than the years before because I am more physically and mentally strong. I have been trying really hard with the physical training and I’ve never worked like this before, so I feel good about how things are going.

In the test held in Japan back in November, what was your initial impression of the CRF 450R 2013 race machine and where would you say you are in terms of set-up?
When we started on the bike for the first time it felt easy. We went to a heavy sand track and the feeling was immediately good. The handling and chassis are so good and this is really important in the race on the track. It’s better in the turns and it feels so nice that I have the confidence to put the bike in any place I want. It’s also easy to move around on the bike, so the initial feeling was good.

During the test we worked with every area possible on the bike and we found a good engine and gearbox set-up. For me that’s all I want at the moment, but now we heading towards the start of the season there’s some areas we are refining more with the suspension. To be honest it doesn’t feel like there’s a lot of work to do because it is already good. I am already very happy, and I was really impressed when I put my leg over the bike for the first time.

How much did it help having such good support from Dunlop and Showa?
All of our partners work really closely to help us do a good job. We tested some tyres on different tracks in Japan, and we have continued the work since we arrived in Sardinia. We have a good compound for each type of ground; the bike is stable and we are trying to eliminate any washing out or loss of traction. The guys are working so hard and when we were in Japan they were non-stop with things to test, so for me it was an honour to work with such a great team, as they gave all what they have. They did a great job.

The first race of your season is in Mantova next weekend. What is your approach to this?
For me the weather has to be good, as in Mantova it is usually freezing or there is snow at this time of year. At the moment I just want to get to the race and see how things are after practice to decide whether I will push or not. It’s a first shakedown race, although I am a racer so I like to race and win, but this year it has to be a bit different. I learned a lot last year, so I have changed my mind and want to be more consistent. I need to make a good start in the Mantova event and ride my own race, which is what I’ve been training for.

How have you found working with Max (Nagl) for the first time?
I am really enjoying spending time with Max training and also socially. He is a good guy, and I have fun with him. At the moment we are not rivals so much while we are training, so things are good, but we are both very focussed on the goal. In the races things may be different, but from a personal point of view we get on well. It’s normal because we all work to our goal and he is working hard too, so I respect that.

Last year you had a lot of injuries, is everything healed now?
I wouldn’t say I am completely healed, as the thumb is still big and painful from Valkenswaard last year, but it’s not such a big hindrance riding the bike. I am pretty healthy.

How do you feel in yourself going into this year and will you do anything different?
At the moment I feel very good. I feel good physically and on the bike. Psychologically I feel more able than before, but the MX1 field is very strong. I am just really looking forward to giving good results and being consistent. The season is long and you have to be strong race after race. I know I have a tendency to push so hard, but I will make my plans during the race and if I feel good I will push, but if I feel I can’t make the one position more then I try to accept it, to avoid as many crashes as before. Last year the bike was completely new with little information and we were testing a lot during the races, but I feel we are more prepared in 2013, so that should make me stronger from the start.

What do you think about the first race being at night in Qatar?
I am with my both hands up for this. It is too hot during the day and at night it is cooler, so for sure it’s something better to have it at night, because I don’t like the heat. I have never ridden under the lights, so the track will be different, but we have some things to prepare for this. I’m quite excited to go there, as I’ve not been there before.

After the great performance in the 2012 Morocco Rally, that saw the five-rider Team HRC squad competing together for the first time and Helder Rodrigues in superb form, recording two stage wins, we have the pleasure of sending you a link to a video which reviews Team HRC’s impressive debut with the all-new Honda CFR450 Rally.

While preparation for Dakar 2013 continues, Helder Rodrigues and Sam Sunderland attended the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan on Monday and Tuesday this week (12-13 November). It was a great opportunity for them to meet International media and a number of Honda dealers.

Helder Rodriguez: “It was very exciting to stand next to my CFR450 Rally bike in front of 700 journalists and Honda dealers during Honda’s pan-European press conference in Milan on Monday evening. I also enjoyed EICMA. After having met journalists form all over the world, now it’s time to continue the preparation for the Dakar. I’m training every day, in the gym and on the bike.”

Sam Sunderland: “It was very interesting to spend these few days at EICMA show, with the press conference and release of some great new Honda products and some interviews with press from all over the world, even Russia! And me and Helder were part of a live TV show, all in Italian. I look forward to the start of Dakar 2013 on 5 January. Thank you to Honda for inviting me and to be a part of this exciting project.”

The world championship stays east to Loket in the Czech Republic for round 12 of the series. Can Tommy regain some much needed points, is Herlings fit after his car accident, will Cairoli kick ass again or will Clement Desalle repeat last years overall victory, who knows but Loket is normally good fun with great racing.

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SUN AUG 05, 2012
09:05 – LIVE EMX – Race 2
11:00 – LIVE MX2 – Race 1
12:00 – LIVE MX1 – Race 1
13:15 – LIVE Studio Show
14:00 – LIVE MX2 – Race 2
15:00 – LIVE MX1 – Race 2
16:00 – LIVE Interviews
All the times are relative to your computer clock (GMT+0100).

All the replays will be available online immediately after the Grand Prix finishes and LIVE TIMING of all the races will be available on MX-LIFE.TV for FREE on Saturday and Sunday.

Good news for GP fans is you can watch the entire season LIVE here on MOTO if you didn’t already know.

A little look at the Russian for his home GP, where the MX1 rider found himself incredibly popular and busy. “Bobby” put on his best efforts for his home crowd but is still not where he needs to be. Hopefully the MX1 star can relive his 2011 GP win success soon.

Gautier Paulin looked up for the challenge but battled to come to terms with the muddy qualification sessions after heavy rains turned the loamy circuit into a muddy lottery.  Having 8^th gate pick Paulin had a reasonable jump in moto 1 but was shut out in the first turn.  He quickly pushed through to 6^th but then lost a spot to home favourite Bobryshev and then settled for 7^th.

Moto 2 would see a difficult start for Paulin as he rounded the first lap in 9^th after a bad start.  He made a good pass on Leok and Strijbos to move into 7^th but could not eat into the gap of Goncalves and Bobryshev in front.  Another 7^th place was all that was on the cards for the likeable Frenchman.

Gautier Paulin: “It was a long trip but the journey went well and we found a nice track waiting for us. It was tough with the rain on Saturday and my qualification was not the best of the season but the grid was wide so it wasn’t a problem. At the first start I nearly collided with Xavier and then it was difficult to make up positions; in the second moto Desalle anticipated the start and that affected my concentration. I nearly crashed with Simpson in the second corner but I came back to seventh at the finish. Two times seventh is not what I expected at the start of the weekend, but I will work hard to get back on the podium at the next few rounds.”

Next up on the calendar is the Czech GP in Loket on the 4-5 August.

Race results:

MX1 Race 1: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 39:45.999; 2. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:05.960; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:07.579; 4. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:09.938; 5. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:30.092; 6. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:35.017; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:37.056; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:48.946; 9. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +0:50.714; 10. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), +0:52.555;

MX1 Race 2: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 39:21.770; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:07.892; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:25.744; 4. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:33.416; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:36.099; 6. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:40.135; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:52.103; 8. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), +1:03.761; 9. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:15.308; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +1:18.144;

MX1 Overall: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 42 p.; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 42 p.; 4. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 36 p.; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 31 p.; 6. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 28 p.; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 28 p.; 8. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 25 p.; 9. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), 24 p.; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 23 p.;

MX1 Championship: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 442 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 422 p.; 3. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 393 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 376 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 341 p.; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 304 p.; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 277 p.; 8. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 253 p.; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 247 p.; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 212 p.

Many of us watched with a massive smile on our cheeky little faces as one of the organisers of last weekends “GP of Russia” showed up wearing a fetching sailors hat.

So for this reason and this reason only you sir and your hat have this weeks honour of “Hat of the Week”

News has hit the MOTO office that KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings has been involved in a alleged car accident on his return from the GP of Russia.

Reports so far which are sketchy is that Herlings has no serious injuries apart from cuts and bruises which is brilliant news but the truck driver may well be in more serious condition – more as we get it.

Another dose of GP action, this week from Russia from round 11 of the world motocross championship.

Watch all the main highlights of what went down in Semigorje, commentary from Paul Malin.

But these aside, let’s look at the two classes and how things are panning out as we go into Round 11 of the title race.

MX1
As expected and indeed predicted right here a week ago, the red plate didn’t stay off bike number 222 for very long. António came back from his twin DNF shocker in Sweden to fire off two perfect scores that catapulted him back over Suzuki’s Clement Desalle and back to the top. Cairoli is probably one of the only riders in MX1 that could be expected and indeed able to do this. The KTM rider is back to 12 points ahead and isn’t going to want any more slip ups in Russia. Desalle is still 23 points ahead of Pourcel but needs to keep his head down and concentrate on Cairoli if he’s any hope of getting the lead again. Low scores in Latvia came exactly when he did not need them, and if he’s not careful, CP377 will steal the second spot away. Latvia saw a complete KTM podium, and DeDycker and Strijbos will be hoping to repeat the same in Semigorje as they now sit 5th and 6th in the table – who would have predicted that this time last year.

Prediction will be wins for Cairoli and Pourcel with 222 getting the overall.

MX2
Just as Latvia restored the MX1 to its expected order, the MX2 class saw an absolute disaster for the hopes that Tommy could get close enough to Herlings points total to steal the MX2 title in the last part of the season. In the space of 1 moto, it looks like Searle’s title chase went up with the steam shooting out of his Kawasaki’s radiator. It would be easier to bear if TS had screwed things up himself, but a mechanical on arguably one of the strongest motors in the paddock is almost too cruel to bear.
Herlings is now forty one points ahead of Searle and now has a bit of a cushion to take off the pressure for a bit. In fact, Tommy needs to worry about van Horebeek who is now only twelve points behind! Not much change in the order below, and despite our urging, Jake still can’t get above Jordi Tixier to take 5th place, lets hope this weekend Jake finally finishes on the podium and Anstie still sits just behind like an enthusiastic pillion passenger.

But let’s not lose hope here – Cairoli had a fifty plus lead and DNF’d two in Sweden and lost it to one small stone and a ton of mud.

As you might have guessed, last time we were struggling to recommend a Latvian drink, but this year we are on safer ground. If you are not braving the KGB and the Mafia to get to Russia this weekend, get you mates round, plug the laptop into the widescreen, get the Vodka shots going and watch it all on Moto right here.

Petar Petrov has lost his race to be fit for the Grand Prix of Russia this weekend at Semigorje.

The Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe MX2 rider tried riding yesterday (Wednesday) with an injured left shoulder and although the ailment had improved after the incident that provoked ‘movement’ in the joint in Germany almost two weeks ago, the young Bulgarian still does not have enough power to be able consider competing at round 11 of the FIM Motocross World Championship.

The team will still be present with Swiss teenager Jeremy Seewer (pictured) on the RM-Z250 set to contest the third round of seven in the European EMX2 Championship after the youngster had a reasonably decent weekend in Latvia last weekend.

Round two occurred on the rough and bumpy circuit of Kegums, and with the EMX2 motos taking place on Saturday and Sunday morning, the competitors of the GP feeder-class thankfully managed to miss the worse of the weather that saw the venue covered by torrential rain. Seewer made a mistake that saw him slip to seventh in the first moto but rode strongly to capture sixth on Sunday for the same spot in the overall classification.

Working from his mXteam91 set-up, Seewer will be hoping to lift back into second position in the standings after the event this weekend in Russia. He is currently 11 points further back in third.