Who impressed: RD3 EMX250 in Russia!
What a weekend it was for Italian rider, Nicholas Lapucci! The ASTES4-TESAR Yamaha rider didn’t have a good start to the season as he only picked up three points and it’s fair to say more was expected of him. However, he could get two good starts this weekend and show what he’s really capable off.
Pic: Youthstream
In the first moto, Lapucci was in ninth at the end of the first lap but worked his way into third which was a good start to his weekend. In the second moto, he was able to find his way around Dylan Walsh to come home in second and win the overall which is a great achievement for Lapucci. He’ll now be hoping to put the bad start to the season behind him and become a consistent top five guy at least. He’ll be feeling on top of the world heading into round four in Latvia after grabbing the win in Russia so it should help his confidence.
After a strong opening round to the series, Steven Clarke didn’t have a good second round as he only collected two points. However, he was able to bounce back with a good weekend in Russia.
Pic: Youthstream
The Carglass Honda rider had a terrible start in moto one but worked his way from thirtieth to tenth in what was a good recovery ride. It’s not easy to come through a deep field in the EMX250 class but he made it happen. Thankfully, Clarke got a better start in the second moto as he was in second. He was able to make a move on Dylan Walsh and brought home the win. It meant Clarke ended up second overall and he’ll be hoping to be a regular on the podium as the season progresses.
He was only a rookie in the EMX250 class last year but Dylan Walsh is much stronger this year with the DIGA-Procross Husqvarna team. His starts have been much better improved this year and that certainly make things a lot easier!
Walsh ended up fourth in both the moto’s to secure a third overall. We shouldn’t be too surprised to see him on the podium at Russia as he did the same last year so he clearly likes the place. Walsh sits second in the championship and only three points off taking the red plate so he’s certainly a championship contender.
After an excellent 2017 season, where has the real Alberto Forato been? During the first two rounds the Italian only picked up eight points and he was expected to battle for the championship this year. The Assomotor Honda rider was much improved at round three in the hard pack conditions.
Forato ended up seventh and fifth in the moto’s to secure fourth overall. He’ll be looking to build on that and put a difficult start to the season behind him. After finishing fourth in the series last year he should be a regular top five guy again this year and that’s what he’ll be aiming for.
He might not have won an overall or even got himself on the podium yet but Martin Barr is using his experience and took over the championship lead after three rounds. Barr had a solid day in Russia ending up fifth overall and perhaps it’d have been better if it wasn’t for a small crash during the second moto. However, he’s now got a three points advantage in the championship chase.
Pic: Youthstream
With Latvia up next, the championship heads back to sandy conditions and Barr will be a fan of the track so there’s no reason why he can’t get at least a podium at round four of the series.
A shout out to Tom Vialle as he was flying in the first moto of the weekend. He took the holeshot and never looked back, bringing home an impressive victory by just over six seconds. Unfortunately, he took a crash in the second moto and hurt his wrist but could still end up sixteenth. Vialle has proved that with good starts he has what it takes to win.
