Team HRC’s Gautier Paulin joined Honda Gariboldi’s Tim
Gajser on the podium at the MXGP of Great Britain today, marking Honda’s
third consecutive double-podium. And it was so nearly an all-Honda
podium, too. In race one Evgeny Bobryshev was the fast starter, emerging from the
first corner in the lead on his CRF450RW. The Russian then set about
building a lead for himself of six seconds and the field scrapped behind
him. At the midway point it became a Honda vs. Honda battle as Tim
Gajser made the pass for second and gave himself clear air and the #777
as a target. Bobby was strong, and before Tim’s charge had set the fastest lap of
the race, but unfortunately in the last ten minutes was forced to change
the way he was riding a little, which led to him slightly over-jumping
one jump, landing in the ruts and missing the corner, jumping out of the
track. He was able to remain upright and quickly re-join, but the
episode cost him two positions, and he slipped to fourth by the flag. Gautier Paulin meanwhile resisted pressure from van Horebeek to
maintain what was quite a lonely fifth position, but in race two the
Frenchman started strongly and slotted into third, giving him third
position overall in the Grand Prix and his second podium of the season. Gajser took the overall win, whilst Bobby’s fifth in race two put him
in fourth overall, and just two points adrift of the podium.
Gautier Paulin 21
5th, 3rd3rd overall
“Especially
after the French GP, it’s a great way to come back. Yesterday wasn’t my
day as I was struggling a little but we worked hard with the team and
did a good job to come back really strong today. The qualifying race was
pretty terrible for me, but today was another day and we’ve been good
all day. The first moto was ok but the second race was good. I spent too
much time behind Butron and I used too much of my goggle roll-offs with
the conditions, but I’m pleased with third and to be back on the podium
again.”
Evgeny Bobryshev 777
4th, 5th4th overall
“Honestly
I can’t say I’m satisfied with fourth because we could have been on the
podium today. From yesterday the feeling was good here and things were
working well on this track, and at the start of race one it was great to
be out in the lead and running so well. Then we had a few small issues
and when I was trying to push behind Tim I over-jumped and missed a
corner, jumping out of the track. It’s frustrating as I think a podium
was definitely on the cards today. We had the pace for it, but it just
didn’t happen.”
Roger Harvey
HRC General Manager - MXGP
“I’m
really pleased to see Gautier on the podium again, and of course with
Tim winning again we took another double Honda podium. And Bobby was so
close too. He certainly had the pace and if it wasn’t for losing the two
positions in race one, well then who knows but he would have been up
there. It’s been a very strong weekend all round as a Honda has topped
the sheets in every single session apart from the first practice, so we
have to be happy with that!”
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