Quick thoughts: MXGP of Argentina

Some of our thoughts on what took place during the season opener of the MXGP World Championship in Argentina.

• Argentina is a great track but one of the fastest tracks, if not the fastest on the calendar, results could be totally different when the series
  comes back to Europe.

• Considering Jorge Prado and Antonio Cairoli excel on rougher tracks, the KTM boys could take some stopping this season.

• Surprise of the weekend? Mitch Evans who got on the box during his first attempt in the MX2 World Championship. He’s looking like a great singing for the 114 Motorsports Honda team.

• Respect to Jeremy Van Horebeek who didn’t even know if he’d race in Argentina three weeks ago and he got himself on the podium. You could see from his reaction how much it meant to him and that’s nice to see!

• After a hard winter it’s a tough pill to swallow when you crash out and that’s what happened Romain Febvre. He was looking the best we’ve seen in a few years but we’ll have more news on his condition as we get it – hopefully it’s not as bad as it looked.

• Febvre wasn’t the only one through the wars as Brian Moreau broke his arm and Nagl’s knee popped out. Arnaud Tonus was also pretty lucky to walk away from a huge crash.

• Aggressive, fast and doesn’t get intimidated. That’s a good way to describe Henry Jacobi who’s signed with F&H Kawasaki this season.

• It was an impressive Factory KTM debut from Tom Vialle who secured seventh overall. Despite his signing turning heads he’s already looking good and that he can deal with the factory pressure.

• Under the radar – Arminas Jasikonis secured sixth overall in MXGP. He still has lots of potential so it’s an encouraging start to the season.

• Better than expected? Pauls Jonass ended up tenth overall on his MXGP debut with only around three weeks to a month back on the bike after a serious injury, impressive.

• As expected? Calvin Vlaanderen and Clement Desalle both had good day’s but that’s what you expect from them. They’ll both have worse and better days to come during the season.

• Working through the pack – Conrad Mewse who didn’t get good starts all weekend but made lots of passes to finish to 9-12 in the motos..

• Last to fifth – Gautier Paulin had a great race in the second moto to work his way through the pack and looks so much more at home on the Yamaha.

Article: Andy McKinstry

Pic: Youthstream