Bobryshev fastest as he and Paulin mount comeback rides after first corner drama

Evgeny Bobryshev set the fastest lap of the qualifying race in Italy today but crossed the line in fourth after a first corner incident involving both he and Gautier Paulin that demoted the Team HRC pairing to the back of the pack.

Bobryshev was also fastest in the Timed Practice session earlier in the afternoon, just ahead of Paulin who was second fastest, so the pace is once again most certainly there for the pair on the Honda CRF450RW.

In the race, both riders got out of the gate well and were at the front of the pack into the left-handed turn one, but that’s where the drama began as the two came together and crashed, dropping to last.

Mounting their comebacks, they followed each other as they charged through the field, passing riders with each and every lap, to climb back to fourth for Bobby and sixth for Paulin. On his charge, Bobby was the fastest man on track.

With good pace and good gate jumps, and a good feeling on the CRF450RW, the team are looking forward to the promise of strong performances in tomorrow’s two races.

Roger Harvey, HRC General Manager – MXGP:

“Both guys got out of the start quite well from good positions – first and second at the gate – but unfortunately tangled at the first corner and went down so it wasn’t the ideal start to qualification.

“But then both of them had good rides back through the field when they got going again. Both guys have good speed here this weekend and Bobby was fastest in the race. He was using a lot of fast and sweeping lines which was good to see, and Gautier was being more precise as is his style, and both did well to get back to fourth and sixth which is fine for the start here tomorrow.”

Evgeny Bobryshev #777:

“I have a really good feeling with this track. There are many fast places which really suits me. Unfortunately in the qualifying race I had a crash with Gautier.

“We were right on the inside and everybody was closing to the inside into the corner and I just touched him and we crashed together. But then I had a good comeback. Many guys crashed but I had a good feeling with the bike and a good feeling with the track so I could pass many riders. With no rain it was good today, so we’re hoping for the same again tomorrow.”

Gautier Paulin #21:

“I had a good start actually. I had a good laptime in timed practice in second so a good position in the gate, then into the first corner I think Bobby just missed his braking so he hit me and we crashed. I got his bike on top of me so I couldn’t get up quickly.

“I started to comeback and I was riding okay but not like I want because it was pretty tricky with many yellow flags with many bikes on the ground so I tried to manage and respect those. The first 10 minutes I didn’t ride like I wanted, but then I started pushing. I missed my braking and passed over a berm and lost again four places so had to come back again. Sixth is not a bad place after the crash at the start but I’m definitely looking forward to something more tomorrow.”