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Romain Febvre at the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia
NEWS

Febvre so close to first MXGP silverware of 2017

Jun 262017

Heat, humidity and mosquitos accompanied a fantastic new racing facility at Ottobiano, a 33,000 crowd and some memorable racing scenes in the eleventh round of 2017 MXGP in northern Italy and where Tony Cairoli triumphed for the fourth time this season. The Grand Prix of Lombardia saw the MXGP stars buzz around the tough and technical sand south of Milan. It was Cairoli who drew blood first with a 1-1 scorecard as Monster Energy Yamaha’s Romain Febvre came within just three points of making the box for the first time in a campaign that has now scratched away eleven dates from nineteen.

Atmosphere from the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia

Clement Desalle at the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia
While the hoards were fixated with a brilliant duel between series leader Cairoli and teammate Jeffrey Herlings, a close contest for third position involved Max Anstie, Gautier Paulin, Febvre and Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Clement Desalle also in the hunt.

2015 World Champion Febvre has been negotiating a tough season so far and the Frenchman looked something like the form of old in the punishing physical conditions, particularly in the second moto when he recovered from a crash that dropped him four places after sliding out on Turn 1. #461 rallied to take fourth behind Anstie and one of his better rankings of the year to-date.

Someone who had already tasted the Italian sand was Desalle. A Saturday fall largely determined his run on Sunday and the winner of the two previous fixtures was seventh overall.
Romain Febvre at the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia
Romain Febvre at the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia
Clement Desalle at the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia

“I knew it would be a tough one because I had a crash in qualification – a big one, a front flip – and it reminded me that it would be good to stay on two wheels and take some points,” #25 said. “When I saw some videos of Cairoli I knew it would be really difficult in normal conditions to take back some points for the championship here, so I looked to myself and tried to do my best. I will go to the next race positively and will analyse some small things to improve further in those types of sandy conditions. Physically I test myself every week and month and speak with my guy about our preparation and how I can get better.”

Benoit Paturel at the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia
MX2 saw Kemea Yamaha’s Benoit Paturel shine with a strong performance to runner-up in the first moto but a poor start in the second kept the Frenchman off the box and in fourth. Teammate Alvin Ostlund was sprightly to seventh.
Morgan Lesiardo at the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia

Morgan Lesiardo at the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia
EMX250 was in the grip of blossoming talent Morgan Lesiardo that gave the home crowd again cause for cheer as the Italian Kawasaki man snared his second victory of the season and continues to lead the European Championship contest: the final springboard to Grand Prix.

“A great weekend for me and my second moto win ever,” he said. “I had a bad start today but worked my way back past people: it was a great day for the championship also because I increased my lead slightly. I have been training the last few weeks in Belgium and have been getting more used to the bike and finding the good lines. I’m happy at the moment.”

Monster Energy girls from the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia

Monster Energy girls from the 2017 Grand Prix of Lombardia
There is little rest for MXGP this week as the teams not only re-organise after crates arrived in the Italian paddock from the Russian Grand Prix two weeks previously but also cleaned and prepped material for the long drive to Portugal and Agueda; the red soil will again host MXGP after a break of four years and round twelve will run next weekend.

THIS ARTICLE FEATURES:

Romain Febvre at the 2017 pre-season race in Sardinia, Italian Championship round one Romain Febvre

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Clement Desalle at the 2016 Monster Energy MXGP of USA Clement Desalle

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