MXGP Indonesia: Dunlop riders claim victory with stunning performances in Sumbawa
Impeccable performance from Dunlop riders in both MXGP and MX2 round off a successful weekend in Indonesia.
Dunlop riders completed the FIM Motocross World Championship round of Indonesia with a return to the top step of the podium for world champion Romain Febvre and debut victory for MX2 rider Lucas Coenen. Both used Geomax MX34 front and MX14 rear tires which enabled them to navigate the hard pack surface baked in the Indonesian heat and humidity.
It was only a mishap in the first MXGP race that prevented Fevbre from completing a perfect weekend. The French MXGP 2015 champion dominated the qualifying race and race two en route to his 15th overall MXGP victory. In race two, Fevbre capitalised straight away by getting the holeshot from pole position. From there he didn’t look back, building a gap of over 10 seconds at certain points in the race.
In MX2 race one, Coenen chased down championship rival Liam Everts, overtaking the Belgian rider in the last few laps to win in dramatic style. Race two was more straightforward for the Dunlop rider, leading the majority of the race and finishing 3.8 seconds ahead of Everts to take the overall victory.
Other MX2 Dunlop riders also displayed a strong showing, with F&H Kawasaki’s Kevin Horgmo and Coenen’s Nestaan Husqvarna teammate Roan Van De Moosdijk finishing the weekend in 6th and 8th respectively.
Dunlop uses the same MXGP-winning expertise in the feeder MX2 World Championship, which has helped Husqvarna’s factory Nestaan team, with riders Coenen, van de Moosdijk and Kay de Wolf, set the pace at many MXGP events this year.
Wim Van Achter, Motorsport Manager, Dunlop: “We’re delighted to see a double victory for Dunlop riders out in Indonesia. Congratulations to both Romain Fevbre and Lucas Coenen for putting on such a dominant display. They demonstrated the race-winning technology that goes into every Dunlop tire, whether that’s at world championship level or off-the-shelf products used by motocross enthusiasts at events all over the world every weekend.”
Talking to Eurosport after the race, Febvre was relieved to secure his first victory of the season: “I’ve waited a long time and still, I made a mistake in the first moto, which I'm disappointed about because it should have been one [and] one. I'm happy to win, for sure wins mean everything [to me]. It's been a long time. Thanks to the team and my sponsors.”
Coenen could barely hold in his excitement after taking his first MX2 event overall: “It feels unbelievable, two weeks ago in Teutschenthal I almost had it but we ended up doing it on the other side of the world in Indonesia instead with my Dad watching on TV. With all the hard work, I’m so happy and thanks so much to the mechanics and all the guys around the team. This one we’ve got to celebrate!”
The FIM Motocross World Championship remains in Indonesia for its next round in Lombok on 2nd July.
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