35,000 spectators witnessed David Philippaerts claim his first win of the season and his third at a sun-kissed and busy Mallory Park circuit for the British Grand Prix and the seventh round of fifteen in the MX1-GP World Championship.
The circuit, the venue for the British stop on the calendar for the second year in succession, boasted some spectacular jump sections as well as more 'old-school' elements with long off-cambered corners mixed in with the jumps. The track was demanding and technical and the winding layout meant overtaking was difficult. The heat and unrelenting sunshine also took its toll on the competitors.
Philippaerts secured his second pole position of the season with a comfortable victory in the qualification heat on Saturday and signaled his intent with good speed and an effective start. The Italian ran second behind Max Nagl in the first moto and seized upon a crash by the German to take his first chequered flag of the season. Nagl rode error-free in the second race but Philippaerts was able to set a relaxed pace in second to secure his triumph; the fourth Yamaha rider in the MX1-GP this year to wear the winner's garland.
"For me this is a great day after some difficult GPs," the Yamaha Monster Energy rider said. "It feels like a long time, too long, since I last won at Loket last year. I almost forgot the feeling! The track was softer here last year and it was definitely easier on Saturday than it was today. I had some good starts but this has happened quite often this season and I owe a big thanks to the team for this; for sure to start at the front makes the job easier."
Nagl was impressive in both motos but admitted he had pushed a bit too hard in the first race and a crash terminated his comfortable lead.
"I pushed very hard in the first heat and I put a lot of pressure on myself. It was quite difficult to catch up after the crash because it's hard to overtake on this track. But after winning the second race I realise I could have easily won both of them," he said. "I have lacked a little confidence until now but Stefan Everts (factory team manager) has done a great job with me and I understand the problem is in my head." Max said he was still taking some pain killers for his hand injury but that too was improving. Now he is looking forward to next weeks races in France. "Hopefully I can keep going the same way as today," he concluded.
Last man standing on the podium Clement Desalle, LS Honda said ‰ÛÏI am a bit disappointed to lose second position by just one point but this podium is another good result for my championship standing. I made a mistake in the second moto and this was a shame because I lost contact with David and second position. My starts were good and this is a positive part of the day.‰Û
