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MX2, Kegums, LATVIA, 12 Srpen 2020

Another double-podium for Roan van de Moosdijk and Mathys Boisrame

The F&H Kawasaki duo of Roan van de Moosdijk and Mathys Boisrame recorded their second consecutive double-podium in the second round of the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship at Kegums in Latvia.

As at the previous round on Sunday the two exciting young prospects laid the basis for their success with clever commitment to post the two fastest lap times during qualifying, this time with the Dutch teenager in pole ahead of his French teammate, and thus they secured the inside gates at the start which are so vital entering the 180 degree right-hand first turn. Both riders sensibly turned tight to emerge third and fourth and, after exchanging positions briefly during the early laps, they raced clear of the pack in a rapid four-rider breakaway; concentrating on their own race and displaying commendable patience, they each moved confidently past the series points leader with ten minutes remaining to finish second and third with the advantage to van de Moosdijk ahead of Boisrame. Once more gating third in race two van de Moosdijk wasted no time in passing the series leader at turn three to give chase to the race-long leader and Boisrame needed just five minutes to also demote the series leader with a dramatic pass at the end of pit straight to join his teammate in nibbling away at the early advantage of the race leader. Finally breaking clear of the tremendous duel with his teammate as the race entered the closing stages Roan closed relentlessly on the race leader but ran out of time to launch the final challenge whilst Boisrame settled for a solid third after a couple of minor mistakes to ensure there were two F&H Kawasaki’s on the podium for the second time in four days. Despite a difficult day at the second GP of the series earlier in the year van de Moosdijk has now lifted himself to fifth in the championship standings, just eight points from third; Boisrame is just five points further back in sixth with third team member Mikkel Haarup seventh.
 
Roan van de Moosdijk: “Our second wonderful GP in the space of four days for another double-podium for myself and Mathys! I clinched the first pole position of my GP career, two good starts from the inside gate and two fun battles with Mathys. I had a good flow in race two and we both came up to Geerts; at one point I thought I could make a run on him for the win but in the end it was just too big a risk. I just missed my first victory but we will get one soon. The entire team is so supportive and we just tried to relax since Sunday with cycling and easy stuff. All of the team works so hard, in particular our trainer Marc de Reuver. After the first moto he walks the entire track, taking photos to give us advice and so much more; without him it would be so much more difficult. “
 
Mathys Boisrame: “It was a very good day for me; second in the timed practice session and then twice third and a podium result. In the second race I had a nice battle with Roan; I tried to pass him both races but we are so equal and this track is so difficult to pass; we had a nice battle in the second race but in the end I started to make a few small mistakes and that cost me a lot of energy so it was wiser to secure the podium result. The track was rough but I like that; the bumpier the better. We recovered well on Monday, so it was no problem to race for the second time in four days. My thanks to the team who provide us with everything we need to make good results. Marc is always working with us; it’s the first time that I have a trainer and I’m happy to be able to show on the track that this package is just perfect.”
 
Mikkel Haarup joined his teammates in the first six of qualifying to earn the inside gate so vital to avoid collisions in the first turn. He admitted post-race that he still needs to work on his starts but was much more decisive during the early laps of both races to advance quickly up the leaderboard. In the opening moto he converted a twelfth-placed start into eighth within just three laps and continued to push until he had the riders in fourth and fifth in his sights as they entered the final lap. Changing his line through the final turn in a valiant attempt to make the pass he slipped to the ground but was able to remount quickly without losing sixth place. Race two saw Mikkel convert a ninth-placed start into seventh within five minutes but he had to surrender one position late in the race to a rival who had been able to conserve energy through an early retirement in race one.
 
Mikkel Haarup: “This GP was definitely an improvement. I had a better qualification so I was more to the inside on the gate today, but I still need to dial in my starts. I had good speed to ride my way back through and on the last lap of the first race I could see Vialle and Olsen so I thought I had to try on the inside at the split lanes before the finish. It was slippery and I launched the bike off the track but I picked the bike up quickly and kept sixth. I’m not where I want to be speed wise yet but it was good enough today to move back to seventh in the championship. My technique is good so I just need to avoid making too many mistakes and I’ll be back in the top three with my teammates. The schedule with three races in a week is perfect for me; there was enough time for recovery and it’s nice to be able to change it round so soon if you have had a bad race. I’m already looking forward to Sunday! “
 
The third and final GP at Kegums will take place on Sunday