Wilvo Virus Performance KTM’s Shaun Simpson hasn’t enjoyed the best of getaways in the opening four motos of the MXGP FIM Motocross World Championship but the Scot has posted solid overall results of two sixth positions in Qatar and Thailand.

Importantly the Scot who recently turned 28, has shown some shrewd racecraft on the first laps of the second motos to emerge with the leaders.

At Suphan Buri #24 somehow darted from 18th place after suffering part of what he described as “two of the worse starts of my life” to circulate as high as second position.

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At Qatar the previous weekend he was nudged off the track while pushing for the holeshot, re-entered during the second turn and mystifyingly completed the lap in sixth.

“I don’t know! I just seem to be able to find gaps on the first lap; I have a knack for it,” the British champ offered by way of explanation. “My old man [Willie Simpson, Shaun’s former mechanic] always used to ask me the same. I don’t think I take risks; more like creatively risky lines or cutting across ruts on the first lap or cutting up the inside when others are getting caught up.”

“I think it is about smart moves,” he added. Simpson is sixth in the world championship standings and although battling a stomach virus on his return from Thailand expects to be fully fit and ready for the opening fixture in the defence of his British Championship at Lyng this weekend (March 20).

He will face MXGP peer Tommy Searle at the Norfolk venue and then eight days later is expected to be a solid contender for top prizes in the sand of Valkenswaard for the Grand Prix of Europe on Easter Monday.