Renaux
Qualifying race: Renaux started very fast and was riding just behind home rider, Jorge Prado, in the first turn. The Frenchman was quickly joined by Gajser, who passed him in the fourth lap. Later, Maxime was chased by Coldenhoff and Herlings, but despite the pain in his foot he kept on fighting and crossed the finish line in third position.
Race 1: Just like Saturday, Renaux had a fantastic start just behind Prado. Maxime was chased by Gajser, but managed to withstand the pressure. During the sixth lap the Slovenian succeeded to pass. The pain in the foot was unbearable, but Renaux did not give up and finally finished in a nice fifth position.
Race 2: Renaux did not start due to a foot injury.
Comment: “The foot injury from last year keeps bothering me. I had a lot of pain during the first moto. Really terrible. It is too dangerous to continue riding like this – on one leg. Therefor we decided to skip the second moto. I will now see my doctor to find a solution for this problem as soon as possible, with or without surgery.”
Vlaanderen
Qualifying race: Calvin had a decent start, in seventh position, and moved up one place in the first lap. Then the Dutchman tried to hold off a chasing Herlings but in lap three he had to give in when his compatriot passed him. Finally Vlaanderen finished ninth, after being passed by Guillod and Febvre.
Race 1: Vlaanderen came out of the starting gate like a rocket on his YZ450FM and was third in the first turn – just behind his team mate Renaux. In the first lap, Calvin was hit by another rider and fell back to P6. After that the Dutchman had a hard time and dropped back to place ten. But he kept fighting and passed Guillod to move up to place nine.
Race 2: Again a very successful start for Vlaanderen who was in fourth position among the top riders. During the first lap, the Dutchman lost one place but managed to maintain his position in the top five. Coldenhoff kept insisting but Vlaanderen did not give in. Fifth in race 2 and sixth overall.
Comment: “I go home with a satisfied feeling. I improved a bit every session here. That is positive. Don’t forget that I was out for a few weeks during the preparation. I’m still on my way back. And that happens in small steps. I hope that a few Grand Prix further I will be able again to fight for the podium.”
