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Simpson
makes a solid return to racing
Round 11 - 2010 FIM Motocross World
Championship
Lommel - Belgium - 01/08/10
Red
Bull KTM factory rider Shaun Simpson returned to racing after
his recent lay off due to a blood deficiency with a solid
performance at the Grand Prix of Limburg, which marked round
eleven in the 2010 FIM Motocross World Championship. The deep
sand of the famous Belgian Lommel circuit was a tough test for
the twenty-two year old after having only spent minimal time
on his bike and doing any kind of physical training since the
last Grand Prix back at the start of July.
Although
Shaun's most recent blood tests showed that the young Scot is
on the way to recovery, they also revealed that he is not back
at his best just yet. With this in mind Simpson approached the
weekend in a positive manner, but also knowing that he may not
be able to push as hard as he may have wanted to. In an
attempt to preserve his energy Shaun took it easy during free
practice on Saturday morning and placed fifteenth at the end
of this initial session.
This
proved to be a wise strategy, with Simpson really attacking
the now much rougher circuit during the more important
pre-qualifying period. Showing the speed that everyone knows
he has Shaun posted the fourth fastest time in this session
and out sprinted his team mate Musquin, who currently heads
the general standings. For the first time in several weeks
Simpson looked more like his oldself as he skipped his way
confidently around the now deep and rutted track.
With
a good gate pick for Saturday afternoon's qualifying race
Shaun was determined to make a good start and to stay out of
trouble in order to earn a similiar gate position for Sunday's
two main races. Simpson's plan did not quite work out, and the
KTM teamster was left with work to do as he placed fifth at
the end of the opening lap. Again Shaun looked in confident
form as he moved up the order before overtaking Musquin on the
final lap to grab a morale boosting third spot as the race
came to a close.
Motivated
by his speed and performances during Saturday's programme,
Simpson went into Sunday with realistic expectations, knowing
that the pair of thirty minute plus two lap encounters were
going to take their toll on his recovering body. A good start
in the first moto at least gave Shaun every possible chance of
a good result as he initially slotted into fourth position
behind Roelants. Not content to sit safe Shaun immediately
attacked and moved into third place before being passed by
eventual race winner Roczen. Simpson then settled into his own
ryhthmn and looked to have secured a fantastic fourth spot
before having to give way to Roelants on the last lap.
Another
top five finish would have perhaps been the best Shaun could
have hoped for in the second moto, with him now feeling the
effects of his earlier exertion. Another good start instantly
put Simpson in the top three behind his team mates Herlings
and Musquin before he was demoted to fouth position by the
eventual GP winner Roczen. Although it was obvious that the
young Scot was lacking his true fitness Shaun did his best to
dig deep into his reserves and held a top five spot with two
thirds of the race done. However the closing five laps were to
really prove punishing, with Simpson dropping to seventh come
the flag.
Simpson
spoke about his weekend. "It's been a difficult few
weeks, as with the condition I have been suffering from, rest
is the best thing for it. Whilst I have tried to rest as much
as possible, I also knew that I needed to put some time in on
the bike before coming here. Lommel is always one of the
toughest GP's of the season, and this time it was the same.
There could have been easier races to come back to, but
unfortunately I had no choice in the matter."
"I came here knowing it was going to be tough and knowing
that I only had so much to give. In the first race today I
pushed hard with four laps to go in an attempt to pass
Herlings, but that proved to be a mistake as after two laps I
was finished and in the end Roelants passed me, so I really
should have finished fourth." Shaun continued.
"The
first race took a lot out of me, so I knew the second moto was
going to be even tougher. Two top five placings would have
been a great result considering everything, so I am not too
disappointed with 5 - 7 after hardly haven ridden my bike in
the last month. The good news is that although I am not back
to full fitness, I felt much better than I did in the last few
GP's and I also felt much happier on the bike. Overall it has
been a step in the positive direction especially now that I am
back up to fifth in the overall standings." Ended
Simpson.
Grand Prix of Limburg
MX2 Moto One: 1: Roczen 2: Musquin 3: Herlings 4: Roelants 5:
Simpson
MX2 Moto Two: 1: Herlings 2: Roczen 3: Musquin 4: Guatier 5:
Roelants…7: Simpson
MX2 Overall: 1: Roczen 47 2: Herlings 45 3: Musquin 42…7:
Simpson 30
MX2 Championship to date: 1: Musquin 480 2: Roczen 402 3:
Frossard 379…5: Simpson 298
Click here to view images [1] [2] [3]
Keep up to date with Shaun's season on his official website at
www.shaunsimpson.com
Web quality image by kind permission of rayarcher.com
High resolution copyright free images for editorial use
available on request.
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