Mexican MXGP: Three questions needing answers

Going into the penultimate round of the world championship there are a few questions needing answers that will make the Mexican GP worth keeping an eye this weekend.

Can Shaun Simpson get into top five overall on a hard pack track?

It’s hard to believe Simpson hasn’t been in the top five overall on a hard pack track this season at a GP. But that should all change in Mexico. Shaun is riding full of confidence after two GP wins in the sand and a fourth at Unadilla, he also just wrapped up his third British title last weekend. Now armed with a factory bike, Simpson is on a high and should be able to change that statistic this weekend – don’t be surprised to see him on the podium either!

Can Jonass win a GP?

For a long time in the first moto at Assen it looked like Jonass was on his way to winning his first ever GP moto, but Gajser ran him down at the end and scored a huge mental victory. Now the pressure is on Jonass to return the favour on Gajser’s favourite hard pack surface. Jonass won’t want to go into the final GP any more than 13 points down so this is a must win GP for the KTM man, or at least, must beat Gajser.

Will Febvre take his foot off the gas now he is champion?

It’s a big couple of weeks coming up for the new world champion. He will want to show the Americans, especially after Dungey’s comments, just why he is the best in the world at Glen Helen and, even more importantly, he will head to Ernee to lead the French in defence of their title on home turf. Mexico on paper is the least important of the three and it will be interesting to see just how much the Frenchman is prepared to risk to win. On the other hand he has dominated the hard pack tracks all year so he may be able to turn it back a notch an still win!