Photo: CDS
This weekend’s GP of Germany not only marks the ninth round of the 15-round FIM Motocross World Championship, Teutschenthal also marks the fifth round of the 7-round Women’s motocross World Championship. It’s the first race in a string of three events that sees the series traveling East, with Latvia and Sweden following back to back to the German Grand Prix. The fast and hard pack Talkessel track just outside Leipzig offers spectators excellent viewing conditions due to the many elevation changes and bowl-type layout. In contrast it’s reviewed with mixed emotions by the riders because it’s very fast and overtaking can be difficult.
Clément Desalle will be keen to get back on the podium in Teutschenthal, after what was a disappointing French GP for the young Belgian. Desalle was clearly one of the fastest riders in the MX1 class but he was only rewarded with fourth place, tied with Tanel Leok. Still Desalle managed to climb one spot in provisional standings, he’s currently fifth, only one point behind Josh Coppins and eleven points behind third placed Max Nagl. MX Panda continued to show great form this weekend at the Belgian championship race in Kester where he was runner-up behind De Dycker, but in front of GP stars Coppins, Leok and Cairoli.
Honda CRF250 R mounted Dennis Verbruggen will be on the hunt for a top ten result this weekend. His best result in Teutschenthal so far was 14th overall in 2007. “ The 21-year old has gradually improved since the start of the season. Dennis is regaining his speed and confidence after a troublesome kickoff, and shows a more than decent rhythm lately. Verbruggen says: “Sunny weather in Germany would be nice after all the mud we had in Kester last weekend! I’m quite happy with my riding for the moment, the bike works great and I’m happy with the support I received from the team when things weren’t going so well. I just need needs better starts to show what I’m capable of.”
LS Motors-Honda’s WMX rider Elien De Winter is lying eighth in the championship, although she’s having a difficult season after her preparation was severly hampered by injury. However De Winter showed flashes of her pace in Ernée and aims to continue her rise of performance in Germany. Elien posted her best result of the season last year at the Talkessel track coming home sixth and she knows the track well because the WMX ladies already visited Teutschenthal in 2007 and 2006 as well, making the German round one of the ‘classics’ of the series together with Uddevalla. De winter: “Actually most of the girls know the track well, so it’s going to be one where we fight on equal terms! The weather forecast for Saturay looks rainy, but I’m not too bothered because most of the time we have to ride on a watered track anyway. I quite like the track, but getting a strong start will be very important.”
On Saturday night De Winter will be one of the guests of the Freecaster.tv pre-race show presented by Stefan Everts and the lovely Lisa Leyland.
