MXGP of Garda Trentino: Romain Febvre on the box

Romain Febvre (Monster Energy Kawasaki) ended the season on the podium at yesterday’s MXGP of Garda Trentino, the 18th and final round of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship.
The Frenchman – world champ in 2015 – won the opening moto from Tim Gajser (Team HRC) but couldn’t stay with the newly-crowned champion in race two and finished the day with a 1-2 card, losing out on the overall win on a tie-break.
“It’s always nice to end the season on the podium and go into the winter feeling confident for next year,” said Febvre, who carries a #4 ranking into next season. “I had a nice battle with Tim in the first moto and could catch him for the win.
“My start wasn’t bad in the second moto but also not as good as Tim’s – I could see him in front so I knew I needed to pass the other guys quickly. He had a gap of nearly four seconds when I got to second.
“I was pushing but I couldn’t see anywhere to make up the time and in the end I fell just before the waves with five minutes to go. I was still a safe second but the chance of victory was gone.”
His team-mate Clement Desalle ended his 15-year career in GPs on Sunday with his pair of seventh-placed finishes good enough for fifth overall.
“It was my last GP,” said Desalle. “I’m happy to finish the season healthy, to finish with three good GPs and to have had a good feeling on the bike. It makes me really happy to finish my career this way and I’m satisfied with my decision.
“I would like to thank all the team and all the people who worked for me. Everybody did a good job and I will always appreciate that.”