A wise person would have struggled to predict the podium at the German Grand Prix. While Lucas Coenen dominated proceedings on Sunday, most of his closest championship rivals endured their share of misfortune at Teutschenthal. Tom Vialle was unable to race on Sunday, Jeffrey Herlings retired from the opening moto with a mechanical issue, while Romain Febvre and Tim Gajser both made costly mistakes and left valuable points on the table. It was a scenario that notably allowed Ruben Fernandez to return to the podium.
The German podium finish represents a significant boost for Ruben Fernandez. Still searching for better feelings on the bike since the start of the season, the Spaniard admits he is not yet riding to his full potential. The adjustments made in recent weeks appear to have paid off, with the first signs proving encouraging, even if the Honda HRC rider believes there is still considerable room for improvement. One thing is certain: this return to the podium provides a welcome confidence boost ahead of the remainder of the championship.
“I’m really happy because it’s always good to be on the podium. Especially because the last time was in China last year. This year I haven’t felt very comfortable on the bike, and we’ve been working with the team to make some changes to try and get a better feeling with the bike. It looks like things are moving in the right direction, and I felt a bit better this weekend. But I’m still looking for better feelings on the bike, to be honest. It’s the feeling I have when I’m riding, and I hope I can improve and ride a bit more like I know I can in the near future. But it’s been a positive weekend, it’s always good to be on the podium. We’ll go home, get back to work and prepare for the next race next weekend.”
Regarded as the second man in the Honda HRC line-up in recent seasons, Ruben Fernandez now shares the awning with two new teammates: Jeffrey Herlings and Tom Vialle. Both riders have attracted plenty of attention this year, with the spotlight naturally focused on their performances, often leaving the Spaniard operating somewhat under the radar.
However, at Teutschenthal, Fernandez seized the opportunity to put his name back in the headlines. With Vialle absent and Herlings retiring from the first moto, the Honda HRC rider stepped up to secure his first podium of the season. The result also gave Giacomo Gariboldi’s squad its best result of the weekend and served as a reminder that Fernandez could still play a significant role during the second half of the championship.
“My teammates are doing a really good job this year, especially Jeffrey Herlings, who is really in form. I try to follow as much as possible. From the beginning of the season, the results were not what we hoped for, but the season is still long. We keep trying and working to improve a little more every round. It’s also good that I’m able to bring a result to the team when my teammates aren’t there. I mainly try to focus on myself every weekend. This time Tom couldn’t race, Jeffrey had a problem in the first moto. But it’s always good to show that I’m here too and that I can bring a strong result for the team.”
While he was pleased to return to the podium in Germany, Fernandez was left with some regrets following the second MXGP moto. The Spaniard was on course to secure second overall at the Grand Prix when he became involved in an incident with Kay de Wolf during the latter stages of the race. Attempting an extremely optimistic pass on the inside, the Nestaan Husqvarna rider collided with Fernandez and brought both riders down. De Wolf managed to rejoin ahead of the Honda rider, who was also passed by Maxime Renaux in the aftermath. In the end, the incident cost Fernandez second overall at the Grand Prix, with Andrea Adamo inheriting the position.
“I tried to close the door, and I think there wasn’t enough room for him to pass me there. I even think he went a little outside the track limits. I thought he would stay calm and wait for a better opportunity to try and make the pass in a corner, maybe carrying a bit more speed. But I guess he saw an opportunity and tried to take it, which is normal. Given the nature of the track, you can’t afford to let opportunities pass by. He was a little optimistic, and we both crashed. Everything happened quickly. We got back up as fast as possible. The final result could have been better without that, but I’m still on the podium at the end of the weekend.”
