The third of three back-to-back races to take place Faenza, Italy, welcomed spectators for the first time since the start of the global pandemic. While places were limited, the 1000 lucky fans that were permitted to attend were treated to some incredible racing.
A frantic start to the opening race saw Seewer go bar-to-bar with the usual hot-starters, Jorge Prado and Antonio Cairoli, around turn-one. Taking no prisoners on the opening lap, both Seewer and Cairoli collided while vying for the same line in a left-hand turn which instantly gave Prado an advantage. Fortunately, both riders were able to keep their motorcycles upright.
After the slight altercation with Cairoli, Seewer remained focused and eventually managed to break away ever-so-slightly. The ‘91’ quickly launched an attack on Prado to challenge for the lead but was unable to ruffle the Spaniard and eventually crashed while trying to force a pass with three laps remaining.
A quick remount after the spectacular fall allowed Seewer to salvage third position.
An explosive and action-packed second race saw Seewer bounce-back from a mediocre start to challenge a place inside the top-three. The 26-year-old Swiss rider ran a blisteringly fast pace at the start of the race but the effects of three back-to-back Grands Prix, sweltering hot temperatures and six hard-fought races in the space of seven days eventually took its toll and the ‘91’ fell short on energy in the latter stages. He still managed to cross the line in fourth for fourth overall, closing the gap to third in the Championship Standings to 8-points.
Paulin faced the obstacle of 11th gate-pick after a slower rider spoiled his fastest lap in qualifying. The Frenchman responded with two incredible starts. In Race 1, the ‘21’ got off to a top-six start and challenged a place inside the top-five for the first 15-minutes before he lost the front on a steep descent, dabbed his foot and was dramatically pulled off the side of his YZ450FM. He managed to finish 11th after a brave remount.
With the championship leader out of competition for the next three rounds of the season due to injury, the MXGP title chase is wide open. This gives the all of the riders an added edge which makes for incredible racing. Paulin started well in the second and final race but was quickly shuffled from third position back to ninth in the hustle and bustle of a frantic first lap. From there, the Frenchman also suffered the effects of the newly revised, compact schedule that allows minimal time for recovery and was unable to find his usual form. He had to settle for ninth position and is now ninth in the MXGP Championship Standings.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s Arnaud Tonus severely sprained his left ankle at the sixth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship here in Faenza one-week ago. The 28-year-old Swiss rider attempted to race the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna but was unable to bear the pain and withdrew after 1-lap of Free Practice.
The next stop on the MXGP calendar will be in Mantova, Italy, where the MXGP and MX2 Championships will race another three back-to-back Grands Prix in the space of a week. The three events, rounds nine, ten and eleven of the FIM Motocross World Championship, will take place on Sunday 27th and Wednesday 30th September with the third round of the Lombardian triple-header set to take place on October 4th.
For full results from the MXGP of Emilia Romagna, click here.
