BUD Racing Kawasaki’s Quentin Prugnières raced to a third-placed finish – his fifth race podium this season – in the second moto of the Turkish round of the FIM European EMX250 Championship at Afyonkarahisar. Teammate Benjamin Garib finished seventh overall, two positions behind Quentin.
In the first moto on Saturday afternoon Quentin advanced from an initial ninth to sixth by half-distance and thrilled onlookers as he was involved in an exciting duel with teammate Benjamin Garib through the final two laps. The BUD teamsters, each racing with absolute fairness, passed and re-passed each other several times before the Chilean edged in front for good three corners from the finish to leave QMP seventh. A sixth-placed getaway in Sunday morning’s race two formed the basis for Quentin to push through to third by lap ten of thirteen and he made that position secure to claim fifth overall over the weekend and consolidate the same ranking in the series prior to the final round in Great Britain on September 23-24th.
Benjamin Garib had already confirmed his arrival on the GP scene during Timed Practice as he set sixth-fastest time, less than half-a-second off pole, and the Chilean showed his commitment as he charged from tenth on the opening lap of race one to take sixth from teammate Prugnières three turns from the finish. He again proved his fighting spirit in a muddy race two to advance from eighth to sixth for seventh overall over the weekend.
Involved in the fourth round of the French Supercross series at Brienon, Anthony Bourdon claimed another podium result with a third position in the main event. Anthony is currently runner up in the SX1 class before the next round, scheduled at Grenoble mid October.
Quentin Marc Prugnières: « My first moto was not so good as I never found my rhythm, but I’m happy with the second race. My start was good but I lost some positions in the first few corners before I found some good lines to come back. I had a good rhythm even though the track was really tricky so you had to ride carefully but I came back to third, not so far from the second position. I was happy to end the weekend with a good result; my thanks to Bud Racing, Stephane, Thierry our trainer, my mechanic and my family who are always behind me.”
Benjamin Garib: “I felt great all day Saturday and for P6 in the first moto, but the track was very different on Sunday after all that rain. I must admit I’m not used to riding in such muddy conditions but I rode my best to finish sixth again for seventh overall. I made it difficult for myself both motos with my starts so I have to work on that, but my goal now is a podium in England. I want to thank BUD Racing, my family and everyone watching online in Chile who send me their support.”