TOP 7 FOR #SUZUKI ON #RUSSIAN MX1 GATE


Team Suzuki Press Office - July 21.

The FIM Motocross World Motocross Championship was again hit by treacherous weather conditions and the first-ever event at the Semigorje facility for the Grand Prix of Russia was lashed by torrential rain that flooded the shallow and sandy track prior to the MX2 qualification heat today.

However, in the wettest and muddiest test since Beto Carrero in Brazil back in May, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 rider Tanel Leok was able to take his factory RM-Z450 to sixth position while team-mate Clement Desalle placed seventh.

The flat, compact and jumpy course was surrounded by noisy and enthusiastic Russian fans enjoying top-flight motocross for the first time since 2002. The stormy and changeable climate transformed what was a quick and slippery layout into a muddy mess for the 20 minute and 2 lap qualification race for the MX1 field.

Leok, experimenting with some different tyres and suspension settings, made the better start and although he was unable to hang onto the rear wheel of Ken De Dycker and suffered one or two 'moments' - including an off-track excursion - brought the RM-Z home to sixth, for the same pick in the gate for tomorrow's GP motos. The Estonian was also nursing some pain in his left ankle.

Desalle was left cleaning his eyes after the race in the wake of having to throw away his goggles. The Belgian suffered through a mediocre start and, with his vision affected, circulated without risk to place seventh.

Dry and warmer conditions are predicted for tomorrow's races.

Tanel Leok:

"Sixth is not so bad for tomorrow. Strange conditions today. I went a bit wide on the first corner and with this amount of mud then you slide around a lot. I was third or fourth and then De Dycker got me. I made a few mistakes but by the middle of the race I found my rhythm again. I kept it steady and got my lines back. My ankle is a bit sore: I caught it in Latvia and again in the morning. There must be something wrong because every time I go running it starts getting painful."

Clement Desalle:

"Rain, sun, rain, sun...then finally big rain before the qualification changed the track! I had a good first corner but then Bobryshev passed me and threw up the track at my goggles. I had to throw them away and I had a big problem. I lost places and time and was seventh. The ground is sandy here but I hope we will have more lines tomorrow."



MX1 Qualification Heat: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 26:04.171; 2. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:15.039; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:22.217; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:30.593; 5. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:33.246; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:37.557; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +1:01.569; 8. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:03.913; 9. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:18.746; 10. Davide Guarneri (ITA, KTM), +1:24.887.

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