Since a few weeks Quentin Prugnières enjoyed the podium celebrations, but this weekend at Romagne he missed the opportunity to reach another one as he broke his collarbone during the practice session. Eighth in the MX1 class, Anthony Bourdon is currently seventh in the standings.

It’s a new layout that the riders discovered this weekend, but Quentin didn’t really had time to enjoy it as he was surprised by the soft ground and crashed pretty hard during the first practice session. The first exams at the hospital revealed a broken collarbone, which will will forced him to rest during a few weeks. Anthony Bourdon was the single team representative and with a ninth gate pick he start the first race mid pack; back in eighth position on the finish line he had a similar race in the second moto, gaining one position during the last lap when he passed the reigning champion. Eighth overall he is currently seventh in the standing before the next round (Vesoul on April 23rd), and four more rounds are on the schedule.

Anthony Bourdon: “For sure if I could get better starts my races would be easier, as on this track it was not easy to pass with soft ground sections before the jumps. Apart this It was a real motocross track, with good ground and many ruts. In the first moto I lost time to pass David Herbreteau even if I was faster, for sure if you start in front you take another rhythm. I know that I also need to improve my speed to get better results, I have to work this points in the coming weeks.”

Hossegor, April 3rd 2023

The second round of the French Elite Championship was a good opportunity for Quentin Prugnières and his team Bud Racing Kawasaki to celebrate his first win this season, after an incredible final lap. Winner of the second moto and second of the event, Quentin is ready for the opening round of the 250 European Championship.

Difficult race conditions at Castelnau de Levis, as the track was muddy and very slippery after heavy rain in the night. The start was of course more important than ever, and in the first heat both riders got a great start as they were in the top five after a few corners. Not really used to race in these conditions, Benjamin Garib unfortunately crashed during the first lap and dislocated his shoulder while Quentin battled for a podium result during the entire race. Third on the finish line, Quentin got the holeshot in the second race and dominated his rivals until the last lap, when the series leader tries to take the win; the last meters of racing were really intense as both collided in the last straight line, but Quentin kept a little advantage and finally won it! Second of the event, he is now runner up in the standings.

In the MX1 class Anthony Bourdon posted the fastest lap time in the practice session, but his starts were not as good as his young teammates and in both races he came back in eight position. He is currently seventh in the standings before the third round scheduled in two weeks’ time at Romagne in Britany.

Quentin Prugnières: “In the second moto I had to fight until the end to get this race win, as I lost time behind lappers in the second part of the race. I fight until the very late corner and straight line to win my second moto in the French Elite. In the first race I had an early crash, but there’s a lot of positive points to remember for this weekend and now focus on Riola Sardo and the first round of the EMX250.”

Anthony Bourdon: « The timed practice session was OK with the pole position, I enjoyed the track conditions in the morning. Then the races were not that good, as I start twice mid pack but we’ll continue to work to ba able to fight for top five results in the next rounds”

Team Bud Racing Kawasaki officially launched its 2023 season this weekend, with the first round of the French Elite Championship which kicks off at Lacapelle Marival on a renovated track.

On Sunday morning the practice sessions were a great opportunity for the riders to discover the new layout; Quentin Prugnières and Benjamin Garib scored a fifth and a sixth position in their qualifying group, while Anthony Bourdon ends the single MX1 session in ninth. In the first MX2 race Quentin had a decent start, while Benjamin had to recover from a seventeenth position after one lap; he came back ninth, while Quentin was forced to retire when he was fifth with five laps to go. The second heat was much better for both riders as Quentin scores a third position and Benjamin a sixth which put him sixth in the standings, three positions ahead of Quentin before the next round in two weeks’ time at Castelnau de Levis.

For his first race of the season on the 450 Kawasaki, Anthony Bourdon delivers two consistent motos; twice eighth, he is currently ninth in the standings.

Quentin Prugnières: “My first start was average, then I lost time to pass one rider and just after I did it I was forced to retire. My second start was better as I was fourth, it took me a few laps to take a good rhythm and move in third position. I couldn’t j-keep the same rhythm in the last laps, my speed is good but I know that there’s still some work to do before the first round of the European championship in three week’s time in Sardinia.”

Benjamin Garib: “It was exciting to do my first French race, I didn’t get a really good first moto as I crashed but the second one was much better with a good start and a sixth place. I felt more comfortable, the track was super rough but I like it and had fun. I will have a lot of new tracks to discover but I love that, and I will do my best. »

Anthony Bourdon: “First race this season for me and it was a good one, I still need to work on some points but there’s a lot of positive with good starts and two top ten in the races. We have a long season in front of us, and I will do my best to be even better in the next races and come closer to the front positions.”