Sunday started well for the Honda Motoblouz SR Motul team in Lacapelle Marival, home of the MXGP of France, after April Franzoni secured her first podium finish in the Women’s World Championship. But the joy quickly turned to tears after Thibault Bénistant suffered a serious crash at the very beginning of the first MXGP moto.
For Thibault the week-end had started well, as he qualified ninth on Saturday and finished seventh in Sunday morning’s warm-up. Shortly after the start of the first race, Thibault found himself held up by two riders who clipped their handlebars. He then pushed hard to gain several positions in just a few corners, but unfortunately, he suffered a heavy crash at mid lap. Lying motionless on the track for some time before being taken to the medical center, he was finally airlifted to the hospital in Toulouse where he underwent surgery this morning. It is too early to give further updates, as the body of a top-level athlete can sometimes surprise the medical staff. The entire team is, of course, by his side, along with his family and friends, to support him as best they can through this difficult time.
On the sporting side, we congratulate April Franzoni who claimed her first podium finish in the very first round of the Women’s World Championship. Aiming for a top-five finish, she secured third place in the GP after two excellent motos. Meanwhile, Kevin Horgmo, hampered in the first moto by the yellow flags that were waved for a long time after Thibault’s crash, had a strong second moto, earning another top-ten finish.
