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MX2, Sevlievo, Bulgaria, 26 Srpen 2018

Career best result for Marshal Weltin in Bulgaria

Marshal Weltin of the F&H Racing Team took his Kawasaki to career-best seventh places in each moto for sixth overall in the Bulgarian round of the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship at Sevlievo.

The young American had already impressed in qualifying with eighth place and made excellent use of his good gate pick to race fifth for the first half of the opening moto, battling a host of 2018 GP podium men for eight laps. He inevitably had to slacken his pace during the second half of the moto but rode a sensible race to retain a secure seventh-placed finish. He moved quickly forward to fifth in race two from a seventh-placed start before an unfortunate incident cost him two places as Pauls Jonass crashed and the Kawasaki rider also slid to ground as he had to switch lines at the last minute to avoid the fallen world champion. He maintained seventh to the chequered flag to be rewarded with sixth place overall in the GP.
 
Marshal Weltin: "That first moto was an unbelievable feeling; I never raced that fast in my life ! I guess I knew I was gonna pay for it later in the race, but when you're up there from the start you gotta go for it. After eight laps I knew I had to ease back my pace, in fact I couldn't even stand up anymore at the end, but I'm just so pleased to prove to myself that I can do it ! The second race was hard work and I didn't ride my best but I still got seventh again; it could have been even better but I had to switch lines at the last minute to avoid Jonass when he crashed and I slid out too."
 
Gustavo Pessoa of Bike It DRT Kawasaki defied sickness to record a career-best tenth place in the second moto.
 
Gustavo Pessoa: "I've been sick all week but I gave everything I had in that second moto after a small crash in the first race. Now I have a week to recover before the next GP."
 
The Bud Racing Monster Energy Kawasaki duo of Brian Moreau and Pierre Goupillon each showed their speed in the FIM European EMX250 Championship, but it was again the case of one good moto and one bad one for the enthusiastic youngsters. Moreau raced to the first victory of his EMX250 career in race one before a collision on the opening lap of race two eliminated the teenager with a damaged knee, while Goupillon eventually missed the podium by just three points after racing through the field to third in race two.
 
Brian Moreau: "It is so frustrating. Yesterday I took my first win in the EMX250, then today my race was over on the first lap. I felt so good yesterday; I took the holeshot and I was riding fast and consistent all moto for the victory. Today I also started well and I was second on the first lap when I collided with Tom Vialle; I crashed and my left leg was caught between the rear wheel and the swinging arm. It hurts; I hope it is nothing seriously wrong."
 
Pierre Goupillon: "My speed was already good yesterday but I made a bad start and it was difficult to pass on this track. I had a good feeling on the bike and pushed all moto to finish seventh and my start this morning was much better; I started sixth and could pass Vialle for third two laps from the finish."