Photo by: Kawasaki
The final round of the 2016 MXGP Motocross World Championship series and the 2016 MXGP of the USA from Glen Helen Raceway is in the history books. Monster Energy / Kawasaki’s Eli Tomac made it four straight MXGP class moto wins to end his season, while Red Bull / KTM’s Jeffrey Herlings put his first USGP win on his resume with a 1-1 in the MX2 class before graduating to the MXGP class in 2017.
Eli was joined on the MXGP podium by Antonio Cairoli in second and Tim Gasjer in third, and Herlings was joined by Americans Jeremy Martin in second and Mitchell Harrison in third. You can check out what over 25 riders thought about the Glen Helen finale below.
Eli Tomac: “I just ate too much dirt this week after bad starts. I didn’t feel so good yesterday, but we made some good changes on the suspension; every weekend we have to keep an open mind but we found some really good settings for the balance today. I had to make a few passes for the win in the first race, but I had to come a lot further in race two. Glen Helen is a tough track, but it had good options inside or outside on the finish straight and through the rollers. I didn’t crash on the first lap of race two, but it got a little hairy up the long hill with some guys out of shape; I got clipped on the step-up and that cost me some places. Everyone in MXGP is very fast and they race clean and respect each other; I want to come back and race some more.”
Jeffrey Herlings: “To finish off the season with a win is pretty amazing. Now I start to ride the KTM 450 SX-F and we’ll work from there. I think we had a very successful career so far and now its time to step up to the big boys. There’s not going to be much change. You stay with the same team and keep working with the same people. I think I had the strongest Americans here, except Cooper Webb. Jeremy Martin and Austin Forkner are the number two and three in my eyes. I beat those guys three times – on Saturday in the qualifying and twice in today’s motos. I also beat Cooper fair and square in the first moto in Charlotte then he beat me in the second race. I think I showed some great speed and good form, even though I was off the bike for 5-6 weeks and have only been back 3-4 weeks. I think I can say we had it under control. Its tough to close a chapter in your life where you have had so much success, so many race wins, emotions and injuries. But, hey, it’s done and hopefully now that I’m half way through the career I will step it up to the big boys and get some championships going there.”
Jeremy Van Horebeek: “I had a good pace in the first moto, and it was a good result. But in the second moto I messed up the start, and I knew I had to push hard to come back from 11th. I pushed hard but then I crashed and that was it. My goal at the beginning of the season was a top three, but it’s sixth now. We learned a lot, and we struggled in some races. What we took in we learned and we’re focused on working hard for it again next year.”
Romain Febvre: “I needed to stop in the first moto because I had a mechanical problem with my bike. The second moto was better, and I had a good start, but then I crashed. It was a struggle, but normally I really like this track because it’s really fast. My goal at the beginning of the season was to be champion again, and I came back to defend my title. After I crashed in England that stopped because I had a lot of bad luck. Winning in France was great, and the high point of my season was the beginning, coming back ready over the winter even after being really busy. The goal for next season is to come back prepared and to be champion again.”
Austin Forkner: “Qualifying day went good; I had some battle with Herlings in the qualifying race and second gave me a good gate pick. First moto I was third and did my own race, a pretty solid ride. Second moto I was fourth or fifth but I went down at the bottom of a hill while I was with Herlings; I was last, came back in the pack and I was putting some very fast laps to come back to tenth, but then on a table top at the back of the track I had a big crash; luckily I wasn’t badly hurt though my back was sore but the bike was damaged and I had to retire. I would have like to finish the second race today, and maybe got another podium as my team told me that if I finished eighth in race two I would have got it. Racing these two GPs was definitively a good
Darian Sanayei: “I like this track, but they watered it so much that it was pretty muddy in some sections. Yesterday in the qualifying race I was in the top ten when I crashed in a muddy corner so I finished sixteenth which was not so good. In the first moto I started in thirteenth and I just worked to come back to tenth; that was good as my goal was to be in the top ten. In the second race I had a similar start but moved up to seventh before I hit a bump pretty hard and crashed. Paturel hit me and crashed too; after that my bike was damaged and I could only finish seventeenth. Not a super good weekend, but I know what I have to work on this winter to be stronger.”
Valentin Guillod: “First race I crashed in the first lap into a rider who slid out. I was almost last but I came back to 14th. I’m a bit disappointed, and in the second moto I was in the top 10 and crashed again, but I wanted to make a good result this weekend, so now I have one more chance at Motocross of Nations to show what I can do. At the beginning of the season my goal was to be in the top 10, and as we started racing and I got on the podium for a moto in England and had a couple of top fives, we thought it might be possible to finish in the top seven in the championship. I was in seventh for a long time, and slipped back to ninth, so it’s not really the result I would have liked, but it was a good first year for me in MXGP, and I saw the things I need to work on, and we’ll see where it goes next year.”
Antonio Cairoli: “Glen Helen is a track that I like and this year the organizers have done a great job. Last week in Charlotte I was very sick and I had to take medicine and antibiotics, that I have only suspended Wednesday and I knew that with the heat it would be a tough race. I knew to have 20/25 minutes to give everything, after which I had to think above all to defend myself, and so it went; in the end I did not have the speed to withstand Eli Tomac but I’m satisfied with my races and with the podium. This was one of the toughest seasons of my career, with different problems to be addressed and I hope it is a good starting point for 2017, to be ready to fight again for the title. The second place finish rewards us for the great job done, never giving up even in the most difficult moments, I want to thank the team and all those who contributed to this great result. Now I wanna see the Italian fans in Maggiora, in two weeks, for the Motocross of Nations, where we will need all their support to aim for the podium.”
Benoit Paturel: “The first race was better, and I rode well enough, but the second race I had two small crashes and I was so scared to lose my position. To finish like this is great for me and the whole staff today. The goal at the beginning of the season was top five, and in the end I am in the top three. It’s perfect, I am speechless. Next year’s goal is the maximum: Do my best, train really hard all winter and see what happens.”
Alvin Östlund: “We did a lot of hot races this year, so we got used to it a little bit. But it’s still tough, even if it’s the same for everybody. I learned a lot this year, some ups and downs, but I’m happy. The goal at the beginning of the season was top 15, so I’m happy. The goal next year will be to stay in the top 10 every race.”
Brent Van doninck: “Looks like I found myself again in the second moto. I found my speed again, and for sure a sixth-place finish looks like my place for the year. I’m happy to finish the season like this, and I can go home with something positive. I’m really looking forward to next season, to get myself ready. For sure my goals from the beginning of the season weren’t reached. Next season we are going to go for the top five overall finish again, that would be good.”
Glenn Coldenoff: “I didn’t feel that comfortable with the bike and we’re not used to such fast tracks like this in Europe. But we slept on it and made some changes this morning, when I was actually feeling great. I pulled the holeshot in the first moto and really gave it all for those first few laps. I tried to stay in front but those guys were running a bit higher pace than me and I knew if I went with them it wouldn’t be good for me. I had a bad start in the second moto and it was already difficult. I came back to eighth but then I made so many mistakes and crashed a few times. I had to slow down otherwise I would have been on the ground. I got seventh in the championship, one place better than last year, and the second half of the season has been great. I have definitely improved a lot. I’m getting more confident and for sure it will be better next year.”
Max Nagl: “I’m happy with the way the season ended in Glen Helen. I wanted to end the year on a high and finish inside the top three in the MXGP championship and I’m happy to say both goals were accomplished. In the first moto I got off to a great start leading the race for the first corners before settling for third. My start in moto two was even better and I managed to get my ninth holeshot for the season. I kept the lead until the second lap and then slowly dropped to fourth and that’s where I finished. We were tied in points for third overall with Gajser but he beat me due to his better finish in moto two. We’ve worked really hard with the team this season and this third place in the championship is the best reward for all of us. It’s been a very long season with a lot of travelling. I’m now going to take some time off and soon I will start my preparations for next year. The plan is to keep working as hard as always and hopefully in 2017 we’ll have an even bigger chance for the MXGP title.”
Max Anstie: “It’s been a good GP, considering I’ve been ill the last couple of days. It all started during the previous round in Charlotte. Actually, I thought I was all right, as I felt a lot better before the weekend. But ten minutes into each moto and the effects started coming in. Despite aching and feeling sick I did my best in both motos, pushing as hard as my body allowed me to do. I’m also happy with my holeshot in moto one, which helped me secure the holeshot award for this season. My speed was good during the first few laps, but then I felt tired and dropped back to eighth. I got another great start in moto two, even leading the race for a couple of corners. Despite feeling sick again I battled to fourth for fourth overall. Overall, I’m happy with the way this season ended and I’m looking forward to stepping up to the MXGP class with Husqvarna in 2017.”
Jeremy Seewer: “I struggled a bit yesterday and didn’t feel that safe but was much better in the first moto. I didn’t start that well and then I got taken out quite badly. I was hit on the back on the downhill and everything was bent and damaged; I managed to finish 11th at least. I had a good start in the second moto and could pass immediately. I was running third and pushing for second almost. I was really happy with that and to finish the season with a good result. It felt like it had been tough since Assen. I achieved second in the world championship there but I want to do well every week. So I was happy to be back at the front.”
Bas Vaessen: “Today was alright I guess. I had a good start in the first moto but in the fourth corner somebody had a blackout or something because he hit me full-on and then four or five others. I couldn’t restart the bike so I was around 40 seconds behind everybody and I’d hurt my arm. I had a better start in the second one. My riding was just alright – not too good, not too bad and 13th was OK. It was unbelievable how much they watered the track. There were many crashes. But 2016 has been one of my best seasons so I’m happy and now we go into the winter trying to get a bit more speed and stamina. Next year I will try to surprise some of the guys.”
Kevin Strijbos: “The first moto wasn’t too bad and neither was my speed. I was in front of most of the guys out of the gate but then they just seemed to pass me on the main straight. I was seventh when Eli and Dean passed me. It was a struggle that became a bit better by the end. Before the second moto I didn’t feel that great. I had a lot of stomach pain and was a bit of a mess. I went backwards on the first lap and couldn’t find any lines that I wanted. After about 10 minutes my rhythm finally came back but then I tired and felt weak. I was just cruising and it was a real shame because I felt good on Saturday and wanted to do good for the last GP and for the team but it was a mess today. They worked hard on my bike and I couldn’t pay them back with a good result.”
Arminas Jasikonis: “I don’t think I have ever ridden in such heat and it was tough at the end of the motos and my head was spinning. I fought all the way and it was a great experience. I know I must work a lot. I had a good start in the second moto and this was a positive thing but then I crashed and had to push hard to come back. It has been an exciting few months and now we just have a couple of races left before we start our preparation. I was happy to get out of here healthy because the track was really fast and I haven’t ridden anything quite like it. It was all about experience and not making stupid mistakes.”
Arnaud Tonus: “It was a good weekend for me; my speed was good even if I just rode the bike twice before coming here. In the first race I struggled to find a good rhythm, but the second one was easier with a better start and physically I felt OK even if I didn’t ride a two day event for a while. It was a good training for the MX of Nations, as the track was pretty rough and it will be great to ride for team Switzerland in Maggiora.”
Jordi Tixier: “This track is really different to what we are used in Europe, but it’s the same for everybody. I had some fun riding here with huge downhill’s and uphill’s, but there were also some muddy sections where it was easy to make mistakes. My riding was not so bad, but in the first race I crashed twice and then in the second one I couldn’t find where to make some passes. We learned a lot again this weekend, and we will be stronger in the future.”
Tommy Searle: “It could have been a very good weekend if I didn’t crash in the second race. I felt good all weekend, got top five results in the practice session and was the fastest during the warm up session. In the first race I had a good feeling and finished seventh which was good and then in the second race I was sixth behind Paulin when I tried to make a silly pass but came too fast in a downhill and crashed. Then I came back from tenth to eighth but crashed and damaged the bike. But overall I’m very happy with the weekend; this season I had some decent races and some bad starts but I struggled in some races and now we need to work hard this winter with the team to prepare for next season.”
Clement Desalle: “For sure I would have preferred to race the GP, but during the qualifying race I hit the ground pretty hard with my foot and had pain in my knee. This morning we decided with the team not to race as my knee was still painful; now we are all focused on next season, and of course I expect to enjoy more podiums.”
Tim Gajser: “I’m happy overall with this weekend, and very happy with the way this season has gone. To finish 16 times on the podium from 18 races this year has been amazing, and the team has done such a great job to give me such a great bike all year. Yesterday was a tough day so it’s great to have come out stronger today. I pushed too much early on in race one, but in the second race we had a better tactic and had a battle with Toni all race. It’s been a long season, but I’m so happy to have taken the title and also to end the year in this way back on the podium. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone around me this season – all the fans that have travelled all around the world in support of me, Honda and HRC for all their support and such a great bike, the Gariboldi team for all their really hard work all season, and all my sponsors like Fox, Monster and Just1, and of course my family and my father. This season has been a joint effort between us all, and I’m so grateful for everything. It’ll be nice to have a very short break now after three GPs in a row, but I’m looking forward to the Nations already now!”
Gautier Paulin: “Today was a little bit up and down because I was tenth in the first moto but then fifth in the second, which was much better. In moto one I knew that my position today was fifth. I tried to push to pass Max in race two but I couldn’t make it, so in the end fifth was exactly where we finished, in the second race and overall. Romain has been on it this weekend and he finished behind me in the second race so we know that the speed was there. I struggled a bit on the bike yesterday and in the first moto when the track was flat, but in the second race it was rougher so I could be more technical so we could do a better job. It’s great for Honda to have taken the Manufacturers’ title too, so I want to congratulate the team and all the HRC staff for all their work this season, and also thank them for all their support and all the work of the team this season.”
Evgeny Bobryshev: “Yesterday really set the tone of this weekend as starting from the outside made my races tough today, even though I could still make some passes in the first corner as I hoped. It was difficult to come back through the field though. The first moto was a little tricky and at the finish I was only three points ahead of Jeremy van Horebeek in fifth overall in the championship, and I really wanted to keep that position. Then the second race was much better and we could make our way up to eighth. I’m really proud to have ridden the new 2017 CRF450RW for the last two races of this season, and I know it has so much performance that we’ve been finding out how to maximise these last two races ahead of next season. The team have worked so hard all season and I really want to thank them all for their support, and it’s a good reward that Honda won the Manufacturers’ title this year. Along with Tim’s championship, it’s been a fantastic year to be riding a Honda.”
