Shaun Simpson rocked up in Argentina like a new man, “I finally feel strong again,” he declared after kicking off the ill effects of the virus he picked up at the Thai GP.
But Neuquen really isn’t Simpson’s sort of track, although he was set for top six overall. However, finding neutral meant he would go over the bars. Simmo ended his weekend 8-9 for eighth overall and stays seventh in the points.
Tommy Searle’s lap times are there but the frustrated Brit can’t buy a good start at the moment. That puts him under constant pressure to catch the leaders, which uses up more energy – and that can lead to mistakes.
That’s exactly what happened to the 25-year-old, landing full force on his face. He was so dazed by the crash he couldn’t continue.
Searle finished his day at the office with a 10-27, 15th overall and drops to 10th in the standings.
“This weekend was disappointing for me, I felt good when I came here as I like the track and the area but I just don’t seem to be able to get a start at the moment,” said Searle.
“I crashed on my own in the second race. It was a stupid mistake and I hit my nose. I tried to carry on but I was a little dizzy and making more mistakes; I had blood in my goggles and couldn’t see with the sun so it was better to stop. I will be okay for next weekend in Mexico.”
MX2
When Max Anstie is on it he can battle with the best of them and he was flying at the Argentine track.
With the MXoN injury hampering his pre-season the Husky pilot has been forced to use Thomas Covington’s settings for the first GPs. But he’s now had the time to test and find his own and I think it showed at the Neuquen circuit.
But the moto one second place finish was the only thing Anstie had to smile about. He looked to be on a mission in moto two, battling with Aleksandr Tonkov and Pauls Jonass for second. The British pilot got the pass done and then the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing FC 250 just cut out on him.
The 22-year-old missed his podium chance and is down in 11th place for the championship.
It would have been great to see if Anstie could have put some pressure on Herlings but we’ll need to wait until Mexico now.
Ben Watson is faced with several weeks out of action after being knocked out and breaking three bones in the instep of his left foot during Sunday morning warm-up in Argentina.
It looked like the young Husky pilot lost the front wheel in soft dirt as he set to scrub the same downhill jump which claimed Toni Cairoli last year.
Adam Sterry is back riding his Wilvo Virus Performance KTM and looks on course for his intended return to racing at the next round of the Maxxis ACU British Motocross Championship at Canada Heights on April 24.
