Tonus triples and Desalle doubles in Hawk International pre-season shakedown…
A bumper turnout of race fans at Hawkstone’s annual pre-season international watched in awe as Monster Energy Yamaha’s Arnaud Tonus absolutely dominated leading every single lap of racing action on his way to winning the MX2 class overall and then the mixed-capacity Route 77 Superfinal. The Swiss ‘grande fromage’ backed up his win in Valence with a solid display of sand riding to edge out British KTM rider Jake Nicholls and his JM Nestaan team-mate Glenn Coldenhoff to the major spoils.
“Wow, a great day. I’m really happy,” says Tonus after kicking butt in the day-closing Super-Final. “I had a good feeling with the track but I have to say my bike was incredible today. I had three holeshots and I think that was more than all of last season put together! The power I had helped me keep a good rhythm in the sand and that was important on this terrain. To be able to set that pace and beat Clement in the last moto felt really great.”
The MX1 class was won by Clement Desalle who rocketed to two wins to take the MX1 overall ahead of Kawasaki Racing Team factory pilots Gautier Paulin and Xavier Boog. HM Plant KTM’s Kevin Strijbos is fourth, Shaun Simpson fifth and Marc de Reuver sixth.
“The race was a good preparation for the season,” says Clement. “Together with Paulin, I think we had some exciting races. I feel good on the bike and I’m happy that my shoulders are doing well – I found some issues, however, that I can still work on in my preparation towards the first GP in Valkenswaard.”
For a full report from Hawkstone check out the April issue of Dirt Bike Rider that’ll appear in shops as if by magic on March 9…
Results
MX1 Overall
1 Clement Desalle 20+20=40
2 Gautier Paulin 17+17=34
3 Xavier Boog 9+15=24
4 Kevin Strijbos 11+13=24
5 Shaun Simpson 15+7=22
6 Marc de Reuver 10+11=21
MX2 Overall
1 Arnaud Tonus 20+20=40
2 Jake Nicholls 17+17=34
3 Glenn Coldenhoff 13+13=26
4 Harri Kullas 9+15=24
5 Neville Bradshaw 10+11=21
6 Nikolaj Larsen 7+10=17
Route 77 Superfinal
1 Arnaud Tonus (MX2)
2 Clement Desalle (MX1)
3 Mattis Karro (MX1)
4 Marc de Reuver (MX1)
5 Jake Nicholls (MX2)
6 Harri Kullas (MX2)
