ROCZEN 2ND IN LIEROP MX2 GATE

2010-09-04 13:48
Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2's Ken Roczen was less than half a second from his fifth pole position of the season on the potent RM-Z250 at Lierop for the Grand Prix of Benelux and the 14th round of 15 in the 2010 FIM Motocross World Championship.

The German fought the entire Qualification Heat with Gautier Paulin and even recovered from a quick crash to threaten the Frenchman up until the last corner. Finally the sixteen year old had to be content with second choice of gate positions for the 35 minute and 2 lap races tomorrow.

Lierop was its usual bumpy, rough and demanding incarnation for the MX2 field, especially with the final round of the Veteran's World Cup adding extra wear and waves to the sand.

Roczen was ferocious in the qualification heat to start from a lower top ten position and gun the RM-Z250 around the fast layout to hit the front of the field. He enjoyed a dice with Paulin until the decisive slip led to a grandstand finale.

Team-mate Arnaud Tonus was part of the leading group in what was a frantic opening to the proceedings but also made a mistake that dropped him back to the fringes of the top 10: The Swiss was still quick enough to retaliate and capture 10th by the end of the 20 minutes.

Ken Roczen:

"Gautier and I had a good race and we were close all the way until I crashed. The bike was still running so I quickly got back up and needed two laps to find my rhythm again. I went to pass him near the end as we went through the back markers and almost did it but finally second place is fine. The bike feels good and fast. We are using the same set-up as Lommel so we know we have the speed and the possibility."

Arnaud Tonus:

"I feel pretty good and my start was great until I made a mistake and went too close to the bank. I caught the bike on the side and it made me crash. The speed was pretty good and I feel OK here. Perhaps the result should have been better but it will be OK for tomorrow."

MX2 Qualification Heat result: 1. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Yamaha), 25:17.588; 2. Ken Roczen (GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +0:00.392; 3. Joel Roelants (BEL, KTM), +0:07.143; 4. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:32.728; 5. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:40.240; 6. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:46.421; 7. Marvin Musquin (FRA, KTM), +0:54.490; 8. Valentin Teillet (FRA, KTM), +1:04.251; 9. Matiss Karro (LAT, Suzuki), +1:07.189; 10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2), +1:07.998.

Source: Team Suzuki Press Office

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