Mitch Evans finished the MXGP of Portugal in 12th overall after some luckless early laps in both motos making it hard work to cut through the disorder and roost further down the field.
The likable Australian went 15-12 in the races respectively as he continues his recovery from a 2020 wrist injury forcing him out of the entire 2021 season.
For Evans, the 15th gate-pick really posed him problems as he wasn’t able to avoid the chaotic first turn in either race. In moto one, a couple of bikes came together in front of him and by the time he had negotiated the carnage, he was way down the field.
Then in race two, he had to pick himself off the ground after another bike hit him, re-joining the race right at the back of the class again. However, that didn’t discourage the Australian and he set about trying to make the best of a bad situation, passing eight guys in race one and an even more impressive 10 guys in race two, to finish 12th overall.
“Today definitely didn’t go to plan as both races were pretty much ruined after the first turn,” Evans lamented. “I wasn’t able to come through it cleanly and that meant I had a lot of work to do in the rest of the race, to even get to challenge with the top guys.
“In race one, I was 23rd after one lap, and in race two I was 22nd so that tells the story of how my motos started. However, I didn’t give up in either race, keeping a good pace and trying to pass as many guys as possible. This resulted in 15-12 results for 12th overall, which aren’t where I want to be, but it still gives me a bit of satisfaction because of where I started. Hopefully next week in Trentino I can get better starts and show my speed nearer the front of the field because that’s where I feel I belong.”
Evans will be back in action next weekend for the MXGP of Trentino in Italy.
