Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/641289
IN THE WIND P28 SIMPSON, HERLINGS TOP VALENCE INTERNATIONAL; DESALLE, TOWNLEY INJURED W ilvo Virus Performance KTM rider Shaun Simpson and Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings came away with wins in their respective MX1 and MX2 classes at the Valence International in France, February 13-15. Monster Energy Kawasaki's Clement Desalle, however, looked to be the rider to end the day on the top step of the podium after winning both MX1 classes over Suzuki's Kevin Strijbos and Simpson in the first moto, and Simpson and Strijbos again in the second moto, but in the Superfinal, which pits both the MX1 and MX2 classes together, De- salle went down while running second to Simpson and suffered a broken arm, leaving his participa- tion in the MXGP opener in Qatar later this month in doubt. "Of course I'm devastated at the moment; it's such a shock for myself and the team," said Desalle. "Everything was perfect; I won both MX1 motos and we made some good adjustments to the bike as the track was wet, slippery and muddy after the showers during the week. I didn't take any risks, but when I saw that there was an oppor- tunity to pass Simpson for the lead I took another line in the corner before the finish jump to pass him. When I stood up I realized immediately that my arm was broken." Herlings dominated both MX2 motos and went on to top the Superfinal over Simpson and Strij- bos. Also banged up in the Superfinal was Suzuki's Ben Townley who suffered a knee injury after a get-together with Herlings. "At the moment, we do not know how serious it is for Ben, but we will wait and hope for the best," said Suzuki Team Manager Stefan Everts. It has already been a tough MXGP preseason when it comes to injuries. Former MX2 World Champion Antonio Cairoli is recovering from broken ribs, and defending MX2 World Champion Romain Febvre is healing up from an arm injury. Jordi Tixier, who recently suffered a wrist injury prepping for his first year in the MXGP class, and Rui Goncalves will miss the first few rounds, as well. CN VAN HOREBEEK, BOBRYSHEV FIGHT FOR WINS M onster Energy Yamaha's Jeremy Van Horebeek and Honda's Evgeny Bobryshev finished off their preseason racing with wins in Italy at Ottobiano, February 14. Bobryshev won the Elite (Superfi- nal) moto, which combines the MX2 riders, and Van Horebeek won the second MX1 moto. Bobryshev finished off the Italian Championship with the Elite title and Van Horebeek the MX1 title. CN Jeffrey Herlings won every time he got on the bike at the Valence International MX in France. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KTM/RAY ARCHER