Team Rockstar energy Bud Racing Kawasaki travelled to Guadajara this weekend for the first ever Grand Prix of Mexico, round four of the World Championship. It was a mixed day for the team who was pleased with a fourth position in race one for Dylan Ferrandis, but was sad when Valentin Teillet crashed hard in this heat while he was fighting with the leaders.
Despite the hot temperatures reigning on the hillside track at an altitude of nearly 1700m, the racing conditions were pretty good on Sunday after intensive work from the promoters to control the dust. On this rough track Valentin Teillet made a sensational return to GP action in race one, as he maintained pressure on the leading duo for half of the first race; fourth at mid period, he crashed later in the waves section and had to go for a check-up on a painful wrist. GP rookie Dylan Ferrandis then took up the challenge, and in a sensational final lap stormed from sixth to fourth for his best GP result to date. He had high expectations of yet another top finish in race two, but a crash at the first corner and another one lap later when a local rider lost control and jumped into him forced his early retirement.
In the same time, the young David Herbreteau was winning the 85cc european championship round in Slovenie aboard his 85 KX.
Dylan Ferrandis: “I didn’t make a good start in the first race but I kept pushing, and on the last lap I was able to pass Tixier and Roelants to finish fourth. I was delighted with that result and was optimistic for the second race. I got a great start this time, but in the first corner I slid out and crashed at the first corner; I damaged the throttle so I had to stop at the pits for repairs, and then a Mexican backmarker threw his bike at me and my race was over.”
Valentin Teillet: “I’m frustrated with this injury, and the worst thing is for sure that I was not at all riding over the limits. I had a good start in race one, and was riding safe as the track was dangerous in some places. When Searle passed me I didn’t tried to follow him and focused on my fourth position, but in the waves sections I don’t remember what happened when I crashed. I went to the hospital for exams and they didn’t detect any failure, but my left wrist is painful.”
Jacky Vimond: “Another strange weekend for us, as we laugh some time and cry later. The riders were fast on Saturday, and both prepared very well this GP. We arrived on Tuesday in Mexico, so everyone was used to the weather and in the first race both had a good start. Valentin was following the top three riders when he crashed in a tough section, let’s hope that his injury is not too serious. Dylan rode strong, he was not in the top ten but came back fourth after passing two riders in the last lap! It will give him even more confidence for the next GP’s, and we’re happy for him.”
