A large percentage of the top riders in the MX1 and MX2 World Championship decided to boycott qualifying for the GP of Mexico - the countries first ever - folowing saftey concerns with the circuit and hot dysty conditions.
As a result in the MX1 class it was local riders who filled the top spots while in the MX2 class Michael Leib and Max Anstie where the only two "Name" riders to feature in the results with a 1-2 finish.
The list of MX1 riders sitting the qualification rae out was, Tanel Loek, Jon Barragan, Ken de Dycker, Seb Pourcel, David Philippaerts, Gautier Paulin, Kevin Strijbos, Shaun Simpson, Clement Desalle, Davide Guarneri, Nathan Paker, Santtu Tiainen, Matiss Karro, Dean Ferris, Xavier Boog, Steven Frossard, Tony Cairoli, Christophe Pourcel, and Rui Goncalves.
In MX2 the following riders stayed in the poits - Jose Burton, Dylan Ferrandis, Chris Chalier, Glenn Coldenhoff, Julien Lieber, Joel Roelants, Valentin Teillet, Jake Nicholls, Al Lupino, Jeffrey Herlings, Jeremy van Horebeek, Tommy Searle, Harri Kullas, Petar Petrov, Valentin Guillod, Nik Larsen, and Jordi Tixier.
Two Time FIM Motocross World Champion and member of the Mexican Grand Prix Organizing Committee Sebastien Tortelli said, "The riders took a decision not to race as a group, so it was their choice. I think the track was not as bad as they were saying.
"We are all professionals and I think that was not an entire professional choice, we've been working really hard to organize this GP and it is one of the best tracks in Mexico in these days. In the end it's a question of communication, if they don't want to race I can understand, but we need to find a solution, but the solution that happened today I don't think it was the best one.
"We'll do our best for tomorrow, as we have more material coming in to make it better. I'm also surprised because yesterday everybody when they saw the track they liked it, and then they came to me today saying that the lay out was not good, so that's a big change in only one day."
The event organisers have now pledged further work throughout the evening to extensively water the surface ahead of the 35 minute and 2 lap motos tomorrow.
- Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 Team Manager, Eric Geboers said, "In free practice and pre-qualification, the riders made some good lap-times. Clement felt ok and Tanel was also feeling better on the bike compared to the last few weeks. Some riders were not-so-happy with the track and how it was prepared. We as a team and GRP, were focussed on getting the bikes in the waiting zone ready for the gate. It was a last-minute action and fairly unorganised but it was down to the riders if they wanted to race or not."
Main Photo: Clement Desalle kicks up some dust in practice
MX1 Qualifying
1. R Fernandez YAM
2. M Garcia KTM
3. R Mejia KAW
4. M Farfan HON
5. D Garcia HON
6. G Vazquez YAM
7. S Rodriguez YAM
8. D Mendoza HON
9. J Rosales YAM
10. J L Guzman KAW
MX2 Qualifying
1. Michael Leib YAM
2. Max Anstie HON
3. Jetro Salazar KTM
4. L Ruelas KAW
5. C Oros KAW
6. B Vieyra SUZ
7. A Aguilar KTM
8. P Sanchez YAM
9. E Nungaray SUZ
10. J Mejia
