ROCZEN LEADS MX2 CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER DUTCH PODIUM

2010-04-25 22:35
Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2's Ken Roczen toasted his third consecutive podium result on the RM-Z250 with second place at a warm and sunny Eurocircuit in Valkenswaard for the Grand Prix of Netherlands.

The third round of 15 in the FIM series took place in front of a 22,000 attendance and provided Roczen with a showcase for his improving sand capabilities as the German captured two runner-up places in both motos and also obtained the red plate as MX2 World Championship leader for the first time in his GP career that is now almost one year old.

Roczen, who turns 16 next week, saw Jeffrey Herlings miss out on beating his record as the youngest ever victor of a Grand Prix by 168 days, but the 2009 winner of the German round was solidly efficient in two hard, lonely races across a rough and wavy terrain and verified his credentials as an authentic challenger for the 2010 title. He also notched his second Pole Position of the season on Saturday with a triumph in the Qualification Heat.

Team-mate Arnaud Tonus had been working on his sand-speed during the winter and his first GP adventure on the RM-Z250 yielded some pleasant fruits of his labour. The Swiss rode to a decent fifth in the first moto - running with Roczen in the opening stages - but suffered a small crash in the latter stages of the second race and could only rescue ninth by the flag. He was ninth overall but could absorb positive aspects of the meeting.

Roczen heads the series by just one point from World Champion Marvin Musquin, and eight points from Herlings. Tonus is fifth and needs 17 more marks to move up the order.

After a busy off-season involving national and international commitments, the first three Grands Prix of the calendar; and the opening round of the ADAC MX Masters recently, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 can now enjoy a small break from their successful efforts of late and will anticipate round four at Agueda for the Grand Prix of Portugal in two weeks; the scene of Roczen's World Championship debut in 2009.

Ken Roczen:

"Second place again but this is OK because I want to keep a cool head and keep on taking results like these. I am runner-up here but I have the red plate. There are some small things we still need to work on but nobody is perfect! My riding on the sand has 'gotten better and we still have some races on this type of track to come. I am now the leader of the Championship but I want to keep on having fun on the bike. I am looking forward to Portugal and getting on the podium again."

Arnaud Tonus:

"I am quite happy; it was just a shame about that crash in the second moto. I can feel the improvement in my sand riding and I know a better result was possible here today. In a way it is pleasing to see the work I have done has shown on the track and it means that I know even more where I can improve and concentrate my energy. I lost my rhythm a little bit in the second race, so it was not a perfect GP but of course it could be worse."

MX2 Moto1: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 40:38.808; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +0:11.538; 3. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:31.190; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:32.125; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +0:45.966; 6. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +0:55.075; 7. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +0:59.618; 8. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +1:10.331; 9. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), +1:10.864; 10. Zach Osborne (USA, Yamaha), +1:26.462.

MX2 Moto2: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 39:11.832; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +0:12.186; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:37.194; 4. Jereeemy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:51.914; 5. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +1:05.231; 6. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +1:10.994; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +1:13.917; 8. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), +1:14.452; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +1:27.641; 10. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), +1:33.609.

MX2 Overall Result: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 50 points; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 44 p.; 3. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 38 p.; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 34 p.; 5. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 29 p.; 6. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), 28 p.; 8. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 28 p.; 9. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 28 p.; 10. Harri Kullas (FIN, Yamaha), 22 p.

MX2 World Championship standings (after 3 of 15 rounds): 1. Ken Roczen (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 130 points; 2. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), 129 p.; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 122 p.; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 107 p.; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), 90 p.

Source: Team Suzuki Press Office

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