The Honda HRC duo of Ruben Fernandez (MXGP) and Valerio Lata (MX2) finished third and second respectively in their Czech GP qualification races, showing that the muddy conditions were no match for their Honda machinery.
For Fernandez, this was on-board a prototype Honda CRF450R, that he’d only tested for a couple of weeks since the MXGP of Finland. Straight away in the first session, it was apparent that the bike belonged in the world championships and with Fernandez improving throughout the day – despite the rain falling – the bike looked better and better. After ninth in free practice, the track got wetter and wetter, but the #70 upped his game to get fourth gate-pick after timed practice. Then he made some good moves in the first half of the lap to come out in fourth in the qualifying race. He tried everything to get into third but the one-lined nature of the muddy Loket terrain seemed to stop any pass attempts, however as the last lap board came out, he forced his way past and got himself a third place in a very impressive debut race for the prototype.
Thankfully the weather forecast is better for tomorrow, where he’ll be looking to put together two strong rides and really try and show-off the capabilities of this new CRF450R and repay all the hard done by the Honda engineers and technicians.
It was a similar performance from Lata in the MX2 class, with the power of the Honda CRF250R on full display, as the #18 nearly got the holeshot. Instead, he slotted into second place, which is where he remained for the whole of the muddy, slippery qualification race. It was an excellent ride from the youngster and he’s full of confidence for the GP-scoring motos tomorrow.
MX2 Qualification Race
- Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), 25:00.296; 2. Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:06.500; 3. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:08.517; 4. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:09.581; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:12.940; 6. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:47.651; 7. Julius Mikula (CZE, TM), +1:09.668; 8. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), +1:20.935; 9. Jens Walvoort (NED, KTM), +1:26.560; 10. Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +1:33.083;
Ruben Fernandez 70
We had some really good training sessions on the prototype these past couple of weeks and I think we showed today that it is immediately up to speed in the MXGP championship. I didn’t get the best jump but quickly made some passes in the first couple of corners and came out in fourth place. My speed was good and I felt like I was faster, but I couldn’t get the pass done. Then, the last lap I took advantage of a lapper to make the move and put the prototype in the top three. We are all very happy with the progress, but the work doesn’t stop and we keep working for the races tomorrow and beyond.
Valerio Lata 18
We all knew that the start would be important here, especially after all the rain. We’ve been working hard and I think the power of the Honda CRF250R is good and it showed as I rounded the first corner in second place. From then on, it was a battle against the conditions and the riders behind, but I was able to keep a good pace and not make any mistakes in the slippery conditions. I’m very happy to rebound well after Finland and I’m excited to go again tomorrow Marcus Pereira de Freitas
HRC General Manager – MXGP
It’s been a busy couple of weeks since Finland as the team have been working on getting this prototype Honda CRF450R up to speed, and I think we can say today that everyone has done an amazing job. It isn’t easy to come into this championship midway through with a brand-new bike and finish in third place, so a big round of applause to everyone in the factory in Japan and here in Europe. Also to Ruben for being brave enough to race on it, knowing how important each point is, in his quest for third in the MXGP championship. I really couldn’t be prouder. Also, of Valerio, who bounced back really well and had an excellent second place in the MX2 race. A great job by both riders, in really difficult conditions.
Qualifying Race
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team Time/Gap
1 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 10 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 24:45.729
2 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 9 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 0:02.584
3 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 8 Honda HRC – MXGP 0:05.413
4 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 7 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:11.653
5 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 6 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:20.069
6 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 5 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 0:23.392
7 van Doninck Brent BEL 4 0:32.513
8 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 3 Ducati Factory MX Team 0:36.135
9 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 2 JK Racing Yamaha Active 0:42.717
10 Geerts Jago 93 BEL 1 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:53.829
11 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 0 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team 0:58.455
12 Ludwig Noah GER 0 1:02.617
13 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 0 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP 1:06.032
14 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 0 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team 1:08.954
15 Prugnieres Quentin 319 FRA 0 Honda SR Motoblouz 1:13.786
16 van de Moosdijk Roan 34 NDL 0 KTM Kozak Team 1:16.317
17 Sterry Adam 811 GBR 0 KTM Kozak Team 1:20.179
18 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 0 Wildcard Rider 1:29.815
19 Watson Ben 919 GBR 0 MRT Racing Team Beta 1:45.649
20 Teresak Jakub CZE 0 1:54.217
Rider Standings
Pos. Rider Num Nation Points Team
1 Febvre Romain 3 FRA 637 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
2 Coenen Lucas 96 BEL 621 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
3 Coldenhoff Glenn 259 NDL 456 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
4 Fernandez Ruben 70 SPA 415 Honda HRC – MXGP
5 Vlaanderen Calvin 10 NDL 366 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
6 Bonacorsi Andrea 132 ITA 358 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
7 Renaux Maxime 959 FRA 353 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
8 Herlings Jeffrey 84 NDL 325 Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
9 Gajser Tim 243 SLO 305 Honda HRC – MXGP
10 Seewer Jeremy 91 SWI 299 Ducati Factory MX Team
11 Horgmo Kevin 24 NOR 243 Honda SR Motoblouz
12 Watson Ben 919 GBR 218 MRT Racing Team Beta
13 Geerts Jago 93 BEL 212 Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team
14 Pancar Jan 253 SLO 201 TEM JP253 KTM Racing Team
15 Bogers Brian 189 NDL 198 Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
16 Jonass Pauls 41 LAT 162 Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP
17 Guadagnini Mattia 101 ITA 159 Ducati Factory MX Team
18 Gifting Isak 517 SWE 151 JK Racing Yamaha Active
19 van de Moosdijk Roan 34 NDL 113 KTM Kozak Team
20 van Doninck Brent BEL 111
21 Sterry Adam 811 GBR 83 KTM Kozak Team
22 Guillod Valentin 92 SWI 72 Wildcard Rider
23 Forato Alberto 303 ITA 72 Honda SR Motoblouz
24 Koch Tom 226 GER 69 MRT Racing Team Beta
25 Brumann Kevin 87 SWI 50 Wildcard Rider
26 Stauffer Marcel 411 AUT 38 Wildcard Rider
27 Cairoli Antonio 222 ITA 37 Ducati Factory MX Team
28 Spies Maximillian GER 36
29 Gilbert Josh GBR 27
30 Tondel Cornelius 17 NOR 20 JWR Honda Racing
