
Two years, twenty-four months…and in that time countless hours of pain and frustration; of dismay and confidence-bashing doubt. It has been a long road for Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha’s Arnaud Tonus since he last stood on the MXGP podium. The Swiss bathed in the exultation of a moto victory at his home Grand Prix in the summer of 2017 shortly after he first trod the rostrum of the premier class in Italy.
Since then rib and shoulder injuries cast the 27 year old in the realms of ‘the forgotten men’. But Wilvo Yamaha stood by their racer, and after a clear and prosperous winter of training Tonus is on the comeback to revive the notion that he is one of the most stylish and technical athletes in the MXGP gate.
The emotion of vindication was evident last weekend in Portugal. MXGP gathered for round six of the campaign and although Tonus had signalled his intent with 4th overall two races previously in Italy he stomped back to prominence with a 3-3 scorecard in the sunny motos at a fast and flowing Agueda circuit.