A big day for Romain Febvre in the MXGP class and Kay De Wolf in the MX2 class. Victories and progress in the challenge for both titles. Their comments and a lot more here below and more to come later. JP image

Romain Febvre: "This was a very emotional win. We had an issue yesterday in Qualifying but today I regrouped. I was fast and could make the difference. I was so happy at the way I could secure this victory from P20 at the gate. I made good starts from there but my first lap was not so good in moto one; I got passed by a couple of guys and by the time I got to fourth the first three were quite far. I knew I couldn't make the same mistakes in race two so I pushed the first two laps to third and then settled into my rhythm with no risks and a good flow. I took my time to pass Gifting and once I had taken the lead I avoided mistakes; I knew Tim was not far behind but I was riding comfortably. This is one of the two toughest tracks of the year so my victory shows that we are working in a good way."

Glenn Coldenhoff: “This second place means a lot – two podiums in the first four GPs and now sitting third in the championship. I have never had a better start to a season. We had a really strong pace in race 1, I was aggressive, made some good passes, and moved into second. My teammate Bona was right behind me and pushing hard – it was a great race for both of us. In race 2, I wasn’t that fast at the beginning. I actually got sick before France and had to take a week off afterwards, so I am just happy to be here. Big thanks to the team and everyone at Fantic for the amazing work. I am really happy right now – the bike is doing what I want it to do, and that is showing in the results.”

Tim Gajser: Another solid weekend. Yesterday I felt good, but today the track was different, a lot of water today and I didn't feel comfortable and settled for fifth place, but we made some changes for the second race and we pushed with Romain and I tried to win it, but Romain was pushing. I am really looking forward to next week.

Kay de Wolf: “To end the weekend here in Sardinia like this is amazing, and to do it for my tenth GP win is pretty special - especially in such tough conditions in the sand. I had a big crash in timed practice, and at that point, I wasn’t sure if I was going to race. The second moto was really fun, to be honest. Adamo pulled quite a big gap on me, but I knew I could push and be strong at the end of the race. I just tried to ride smart and do my own thing - but it wasn’t easy! This is one I’ll remember forever.”

Liam Everts: “It was a tough weekend overall. I didn’t feel completely at one with the track in either moto, and I expected more from myself after qualifying. Race one wasn’t where I wanted to be, but I tried to reset and give it everything in race two. Even though I wasn’t really gelling with the track, I’m happy to take some good points and stay upright. I know I’ve got more in me, and I’ll take the lessons from this weekend and come back stronger in Trentino. It’s a long season, and we’re still right in the fight.”

Lucas Coenen: “I felt good in Timed Practice and almost won the qualifying race but things went even better in the first moto on Sunday. I made the start I wanted and then just controlled the gap. I don’t know what happened at the start of the second moto: I think somebody hit me into the first turn. I came back to 8th or 9th until I found another rider in mid-air and then crashed. The weekend was done. Good and bad. More luck next weekend I hope.”

Jeffrey Herlings: “We decided at the last minute to come to this race and use it as the best practice. Yes, a P20 can hurt but…I think it was just my sixth day on the bike after six months. So, for the circumstances I think it was quite good today. It was the first time I’d done a 35-minute moto! We got some points and finishing 7th in the second moto was quite good. Now just to build and get better every single week. Step-by-step now.”

Andrea Bonacorsi: “It was a good weekend! In race 1, I had a good start, made a few passes and worked my way into third – and it was a really nice battle with Glenn. I got another good start in race 2, but in the first corner I couldn’t avoid a rider who had crashed right in front of me, I had nowhere to go and ended up going down as well. I was last but managed to pass a lot of guys in the first two laps, and in the end, I finished fifth for fourth overall – not bad at all, but missing the podium by just a couple of points hurts a bit… Now we are heading to Arco, another track I really like and where I did well last year. We will try to have another good weekend!”

Brian Bogers: “I just didn’t feel good this weekend. I got sick on Monday and spent the whole week on the couch. Coming into the GP, we already knew it was going to be tough – Riola is brutal even when you are at 100%, it is one of the most demanding races of the season. I had no energy out there. I just hope we can bounce back next week!”

Andrea Adamo: “Super-weekend. I was consistent. I led a little bit in the second moto – it is not easy to beat Sacha for the holeshot! - and I was following Kay then he made a mistake and I could breathe a little. I knew he would come back though! It’s a bummer. I wanted that win. But, anyway, I’m super-happy with the race, my fitness and my speed and being on the podium again. Compared to last year this is a step ahead. Let’s go to the next one.”

Simon Laengenfelder: “The weekend was just OK. A good qualifying win on Saturday but I had to come from outside the top ten in the first moto and got back to 3rd: that was good. I felt fast on the bike and could push. Second race I got cut-off at the start and struggled to push back due to some stomach pain. 6th was not ideal but it was a half-positive weekend and we have stuff to work on for the next rounds.”

Sacha Coenen: “Today went quite well. I led almost the whole first moto but just made a mistake on a jump when I was with Kay. So that meant 5th. I was a bit disappointed and then my reaction was not the best at the start of the second race. I was also hit by someone else’s handlebar. At that point I just said, “give it everything” and rode really well. I had a little contact with [Camden] McLellan and then decided to take P4 and collect the points. A better weekend than the last one.”

Camden McLellan: I love this place, good memories and I came in with good vibes and I feel good physically and this is a good way to get it going after the other rounds. That’s round four wrapped up here in Sardinia and it’s been an amazing weekend. To be back on the podium is awesome and I can’t thank the team enough for what they do. I felt strong on the bike from free practice through to the last lap of race two and everything just went right for me this weekend. I do need to improve my starts but besides that, it’s been a great weekend and to be running up front again has given me a lot of confidence.

Rick Elzinga: Step by step we’re edging closer to the front. It’s been a solid weekend and I felt good on the bike. I was fast in Time Practice but in the races, I didn’t quite have the same pace due to a little bit of arm pump. I’m really happy with the second moto as I was able to push forward and make passes. Overall, I’m happy with the improvements we’ve been making and it’s been a good weekend for me

Karlis Reisulis: Today was ok. It’s a tough track here in Sardinia and I had a small bike problem in the first race, but it was a good moto. Then in the second one, I started ninth and stayed there the whole race. So, eighth overall on the day, and now it’s onto Trentino

Thibault Benistant: Over the winter I didn’t ride too much in the sand, so I started the weekend a little bit tight. But by the Qualifying Race I was up to speed and finished fifth, so that was a good result. In Race One today I crashed in the first turn and then crashed again while coming through the pack so that was a difficult race. Then in Race Two I had a bike issue and couldn’t finish. But I’m remaining positive and I’m forward to being back on the hardpack next weekend.

Jago Geerts: Good progress for me this weekend and I felt good on the bike from the moment I headed out for Free Practice. I then posted the fourth fastest time in Time Practice so it shows my speed is coming back. For the races I need to find a little more pace though but overall, I’m happy with my riding this weekend.

Calvin Vlaanderen: It was tough to start the day with a DNF but I picked myself up for Race Two and bounced back with a good result in fourth. From here, my aim is to start some momentum from this race result through the upcoming races and put some good points on the board.

Ruben Fernandez: I think it was really close to being a good weekend here, but this track is very difficult to race without making any mistakes and unfortunately I made one in the second moto and I had to fight back from 20th all the way to 11th. Still, to go three-six-eleven across the three races is a good step and I think I proved to people that I have speed in the sand, and I’m proud of my efforts. I know there is more to come, and I think we’re going to be racing at some tracks I like soon, so I’m excited to progress even further in the coming weeks.

Ferruccio Zanchi: I had a good start in race one, but then crashed in the first turn so I had to come through the pack. I started off well, picking off some riders but I couldn’t keep the momentum and in the end I only came 12th. Then in race two I got a horrible start and was once again last so I had to do the same thing. It went a bit better as I finished 10th but I’m not really happy with how this weekend went and it gives me a to work on for the future sand rounds because that isn’t the level I want to be at.

Valerio Lata: I hoped that my first race in the sand with the team would go better, but unfortunately I never really felt a good rhythm on this track and here in Riola, that is really important. The only good thing is that I’m fit and healthy and got through both races without any major mistakes, however my speed wasn’t good enough and that’s what I definitely need to work on.

Ben Watson: "The Sardinia GP was a positive weekend. On Saturday morning I was very fast. I tried to find the feeling with the track straight away without thinking too much about the results. I carried over the good feelings from the practice sessions into qualifying, where I finished 10th, a placing that gave me the opportunity to line up in a good position for the qualifying heats. In the first heat I made a good start and was in the fastest group. I felt good and finished 8th. In the second heat I had a problem at the gate and lost a lot of time before I could start. I was lapping well and recovered to 12th. On a physical level my condition was very good and I am looking forward to the track in Arco next week."

Tom Koch: "The Riola track is challenging and I knew it would be one of the toughest weekends of the season. Even though the track conditions were favourable, I unfortunately could not get a good lap time. In qualifying I had an indecision at the start, but I recovered to 21st position. In the first heat a problem forced me to retire after a few laps, but the team solved it quickly, allowing me to start in race two. Even on this occasion I didn't get off to a great start. In the first few laps I tried to push hard but I still struggled to find my rhythm. I was too rigid in the seat. Now we have to focus on the next round and aim to do better."

Jeremy Seewer:"We’re here to work and develop, and there are many positive things to take away from this race. First of all, the two holeshots and leading the first lap for Ducati but the most important is that we made great progress this weekend, even though Riola is one of the toughest tracks of the season. In the first moto, we had a small issue, and I had to stop to fix it. But in the second moto, we turned it around and finished P9, finding good feelings. Overall, we had good speed, made big improvements and took a significant step forward and I think it will also work well on hard pack. I can’t wait for Arco di Trento, and I'm really excited to race alongside Tony."