Only few month after joining team Bud Racing Kawasaki, Jimmy Clochet was involved this weekend in the opening round of the 250 European Championship in Great Britain. This first one was pretty successful for the young Frenchman who scores a top five result.
Single rider under the Bud Racing awning as we’re waiting the comeback of Brian Moreau and the arrival in Europe of Lorenzo Locurcio, Jimmy felt some pressure as any rider who signs his first pro contract and enters such a highly competitive class in a pro team. Racing in the past some rounds of the series as a privateer, Jimmy was strong all weekend long and delivers solid results! Fifth in the timed practice period, he got a good gate pick and took a perfect start in the first race in second position; fourth after the opening lap he never let any opportunities to his rivals to pass him and crossed the finish line in fourth position. On Sunday his second start was not as good and on a rougher track he came back ninth, trying to keep a good rhythm but also taking care to avoid any stupid mistake! Fifth overall he offers some joy to the team and partners, after some disappointing periods with the injuries of both Brian’s. Next weekend the team will be in the Netherlands, welcoming for this round Australian Meghan Rutledge in the opening round of the Women World Championship and expecting to see Lorenzo with his visa in the pocket.
Jimmy Clochet: “I miss the overall podium for five points, but overall I’m pretty happy with this fifth position as I have raced the MX1 class in France so this was my first race of the season with the 250 Kawasaki. I got a good start in second position but everyone is pushing hard during the first laps and two other guys passed me quickly; I kept my rhythm for the rest of the race to finish fourth. On Sunday my start was also good but in the first corner everyone was pushing and I was mid pack after a few corners; it took me several laps to find a good rhythm, as I’m not used to race during two days instead of one. I came back ninth for fifth overall, it was a good way to start the season with such a professional team as Bud Racing, and we’ll continue to work before the next round in Italy.”
