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Double podium for Yamaha and first
win for De Dycker
The 2010 Grand Prix of Germany, the eighth round of the FIM MX1-GP World Championship, has been a memorable one for Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross teams and the venerable YZ450FM as the motorcycle toasted its second victory in succession, this time in the hands of Ken De Dycker, and filled two positions in the top three with David Philippaerts defying the effects of a cold to place third overall.
De Dycker was in imperious form across the rough and rutted hard-pack. The fast and undulating terrain of the Talkessel circuit at Teutschenthal, west of the city of Halle, was surrounded by 35,000 spectators who created a noisy and bustling atmosphere. The crowd braved cloudy and cool conditions to see the Belgian (celebrating his 26th birthday on race-day) seal his first double of the year and become just the second rider this season to go 1-1. De Dycker headed Philippaerts for a superb formation-finish for the innovative and rear-slanting fuel-injected engine YZ450FM in the first moto. The result said a lot for the performance of the machine to dominate rivals negotiating the speedy bumps of the course.
De Dycker’s charge to the front and last lap defence of the lead in the second moto from Tony Cairoli not only gave him his first spoils in Yamaha colours but also delivered the Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci MX Team their first triumph in the premier class.
Philippaerts, who won two weeks ago at the Grand Prix of France, was 5th in the second race and physically drained after trying to recover from his illness during the week. His third step of the podium represented his second consecutive appearance in the top three and his fourth trophy of the season.
The 25 year old Italian is 3rd in the world championship standings and 9 points behind Clement Desalle. De Dycker gained a lot of ground with his perfect 50 point haul and is fourth, 16 behind his brand-mate.
There is little time to pause at this stage of the campaign with Grand Prix events in Latvia and Sweden occurring in the next two weekends.
Ken De Dycker, Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci MX Team, 1st:
“I always expect to do well and hope for a good result and it came here because of hard work after the Grand Prix of France when we tested a lot and now we seem to be going in the right direction. This was the best birthday present I could give myself! Both motos had some good racing and Tony came close to me at the end of the second one. I was feeling tired at that moment and wanted the race to be over when I jumped past and saw ‘3 minutes’ on the clock! I knew I would have to dig deep. He couldn’t get near enough and it was exciting. The track was not easy but I tried to stay relaxed and saw a few places where I could overtake; my goal then was to get close enough to be able to attack in those places. I hope this is the point that my season will turn around and although the next GPs won’t be easy I can now feel more confident and want to be strong until the end of the season.”
David Philippaerts, Yamaha Monster Energy MX Team, 3rd:
“In the first moto I had a good feeling with the bike and the track but I have not slept well for the last four days because of a cold and really felt tired in the second race. It was hard to pass out there with really only one fast line, the rest of the track was so bumpy, and I lost time and energy stuck behind Nagl. To finish on the podium after feeling sick is very positive. Now I will go to Belgium and recover fully before doing some training in the build-up to Latvia.”
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