Romain Febvre scores a podium result in the final shakedown race before the FIM World Motocross Championship takes off in Russia next weekend. The Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team got a strong result in France, with a fifth position for Ivo Monticelli.
The opening round of the French Championship at Ernée attracted a truly world-class entry as many GP teams and riders took the opportunity to complete their final preparations before the 2021 GP premiere; indeed this was the first racing opportunity for the Kawasaki Racing Team since their success at the Italian International Championship more than three months ago but they immediately gave evidence of their meticulous preparation during testing as Febvre topped his qualification group with teammate Ivo Monticelli third. Clear skies greeted the teams on race day after heavy rain during the week had created excellent traction to complement the impressive track preparation by the organisers. Wheelspin at the gate cost Febvre a top-six start in the first race but he was soon on the charge and, setting the fastest laps of the race, was established in third by lap four and confirmed his speed over a full race distance by closing down the front two in the final minutes. An impressive second-placed start in race two saw the Kawasaki rider, who again set the fastest lap, pressure the leader to the finish as they outdistanced the chasers by no less than thirty-six seconds; his 3-2 moto placing’s secured third overall on the day.
Ivo Monticelli again showed the advances he has made since joining KRT; the Italian held a strong fifth in the first race before arm pump, the inevitable result of the long pause from racing, cost him two places during the final two laps but he confirmed his pace in race two as he joined his teammate in the top three before surrendering two places during the second half of the moto after a rock damaged the front brake. He was fifth overall on the day.
Romain Febvre: “I’m happy with this weekend; we had good weather and a very nice track. That’s why we came here; we knew that the track would be very well prepared! In the first race I spun at the gate, came back sixth, then third, but was still making a few mistakes. However I had good speed racing together with Herlings and came back close to the leader. My second start was much better in second position behind Jeffrey and we were close all race with the gap always between one and two seconds; I was close but I never had the possibility to pass him even if there were many lines on the track. I’m ready for the GP season; I’m not afraid to say that I have never been so well-prepared. It was a long winter but we did a good job with the team; the bike is really good and mentally I feel confident. I showed again today that I have a good speed and a good rhythm. “
Ivo Monticelli: “It was good to be back racing; it had been like another winter as it was more than three months since our three races at the start of the year in Italy. Today was almost a mini-GP so it was nice to see where we are and I had two good starts. The first moto I got really bad arm pump at the end after not racing for so long but the speed was already there. I could pass Seewer for third in the second race but I took a stone on the front brake and had to take care during the second half. Romain and Jeffrey are another level, but we could see that I can stay close to the top five; the work we did this winter is already paying off. You never know where you are until you get to race with the others; now I look forward to showing my speed with a good result in Russia next week. “
Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP would like to thank: Kawasaki, Monster Energy, Alpinestars, Motorex, Pro Circuit, Dunlop, Showa, Xtrig, Renthal, Vertex, Polisport, Hinson, Wagner meca, Braking, Kawasaki Apparel, D.I.D, Twin Air, NGK, Blackbird, Cometic, Antigravity batteries, Haan Wheels, Beta, CRM, Samco Sport, JTEKT, Ogio, Mechanix Wear, Matrix concepts, Mollar, Garage Tonon, Oakley, GoPro.
