Motocross

Swiss duo of Tonus and Seeweron on pole for GP of Russia

Posted:

Sunday, June 11th, 2017

8:05 AM

After a 5 year hiatus, MXGP and the FIM Motocross World Championship returned to Russia with a the pair of Swiss riders, Arnaud Tonus and Jeremy Seewer, who claimed the pole position for Sunday.

Wilvo Yamaha MXGP‰Ûªs Arnaud Tonus put himself in great position for Sunday by winning today‰Ûªs qualifying race. The #4 came into the first corner in the 4th spot and worked his way forward by making an early pass on 3rd and capitalizing on the mistakes of others.

‰ÛÏI had fun in practice, I felt pretty good on the track, it is similar conditions here to what we can find in Switzerland or near where I live, it is definitely something I fell comfortable on. After winning the qualifying race I‰Ûªm expecting a good Sunday," Tonus said.

Arnaud Tonus took pole in MX1

One of the riders fighting for the lead early on was Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing‰Ûªs Gautier Paulin. Paulin was bar to bar with his Rockstar Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Max Nagl as they battled for the lead. Eventually Paulin made it past with an inside line into a corner. Nagl remained second for several laps before falling just in front of Tonus. Paulin‰Ûªs lead lasted for 6 laps until he slid out which allowed the quick approaching Tonus an easy way by.

Just outside of the battle for the lead was Red Bull KTM Factory Racing‰Ûªs Antonio Cairoli. Cairoli had a third place start but he was quickly passed by Tonus. The veteran wisely latched on to the back of Tonus and by the finish worked his way back into the third position. For Sunday Cairoli will look to grab the Holeshot that he has become accustom from the past few races.

Last GP‰Ûªs winner, Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team‰Ûªs Clement Desalle followed up his French victory with another good race today, the Belgian was consistent on lap after another resulting in fourth. Desalle looks comfortable and motivated to continue to challenge for race wins and he is definitely one to watch closely tomorrow.

The MX1 class head in to battle in Russia

Two weeks after his home GP Monster Energy Yamaha‰Ûªs Romain Febvre is riding with a renewed energy. The 2015 Champion has struggled lately but today was another step in the right direction. Febvre moved from 7th to take 5th on what is a harder surface. The experience of similar soiled French circuits may help the #461 to reach the podium here in Orlyonok.

Russian motocross hero, Team HRC‰Ûªs Evgeny Bobryshev, returned from injury to race what is his home GP today and only 3 weeks after surgery showed impressive speed. Starting in the top five the #777 fell during the later stages dropping him to 11th across the finish.

‰ÛÏThe race and this Russian event I wouldn‰Ûªt miss it even if I couldn‰Ûªt race I would come here anyway because it is a special event in Russia," Bobryshev said, "I‰Ûªm really happy to be here with all the crowd and support. I think tomorrow will be a really good day.‰Û

Jeremy Seewer qualified fastest in MX2

Though it is the MXGP of Russia the Swiss have been impressive, and in MX2 it was no different as Suzuki World MX2‰Ûªs Jeremy Seewer launched of the starting grid ahead of the competition.

Running in second the first 3 laps of the race Seewer looked comfortable and smooth on the new circuit. After a bike issue took the once leader Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Pauls Jonass out of contention on lap 4 Seewer inherited the position and kept it through to the finish. Jonass on the other hand would pull into pit lane resolve the issue and rejoin the race in 23rd but work his back to 17th.

‰ÛÏI feel pretty good here in Russia, we didn‰Ûªt know what to expect but we have a good hotel and good food so I‰Ûªm happy with that," Seewer said. "The track is cool pretty natural. I feel good I had good start and Pauls had some technical problem and I took over the lead. It is finally a good Saturday.‰Û

Frenchman Benoit Paturel was second in the MX2 qualifying race

After a successful home GP in France, Kemea Yamaha Official MX Team‰Ûªs Benoit Paturel matched his previous result in qualifying today, scoring 2nd. Paturel had a first race win and Holeshot in France and his 2nd gate pick sets him up well to do the same tomorrow.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing‰Ûªs Thomas Covington has shown he is winning speed but has only been able to put the #64 on the top step of the podium once this season. Traditionally when Covington does well it‰Ûªs on the heels of a strong qualifying race. If today‰Ûªs 3rd place qualifying finish is any indication of tomorrow you can expect the American to be fighting for the podium if not the win.

Another rider who is capable of producing a win is LRT KTM‰Ûªs Julien Lieber. The lone privateer in the top 5 of today‰Ûªs qualifying showed some impressive speed. Lieber ran in the 2nd position for 8 laps before an issue resulted in him dropping to 4th. Lieber has yet to place higher than 3rd overall this season and will strive to do so at the inaugural MXGP of Russia in Orlyonok.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing‰Ûªs Thomas Kjer Olsen rounded out the top five in MX2 qualifying today with 5th. Olsen started in 8th but battled his way forward swapping between 5th and 6th position with HSF Logistics‰Ûª Brian Bogers on his way to the finish.

Australian Hunter Lawrence continued his front running form with 7th place.

‰ÛÏI think I was dead last coming into the first turn but after a couple of corners I managed to pass a bunch of guys and move inside the top 20," Lawrence explained, "With a bit more pushing and shoving on the first lap, I managed to move up to around 10th so I‰Ûªm pretty happy with how it turned out.

"I ended the race in seventh and feel good for tomorrow. We have a good position for the gate pick and so now I‰Ûªll go back and relax a bit, before coming back tomorrow feeling refreshed. I‰Ûªm happy with my speed and knowing that I can come through the pack on a track that is difficult to pass on is a good positive.‰Û