For the seventh round of the FIM Motocross World Championship, the World Championship circus stopped at the Villars sous Ecot track, which hosted the French Grand Prix, a race that marked the return to the transalpine circuit after six years.
Ben Watson (Beta RX450) started the French weekend by setting the 17th fastest time in time practice. In qualifying Ben drove carefully through the deep canals that furrowed the transalpine track, finishing sixteenth. Luck did not help the strong British rider in the race, who collected a double retirement in the two races.
Alessandro Lupino (Beta RX450) set the 21st fastest time in time practice during which he incurred a twisted knee. Despite the physical problem, in qualifying Alessandro started with the best group and finished fourteenth. Lupino made good use of his bike’s performance at the start and in Race 1, after running the first few laps in the top ten, he defended himself well by finishing thirteenth. A good performance also in the second race, which he closed in fourteenth position, in a comeback. Thanks to these placings Lupino finished twelfth overall for the day.
In a couple of weeks MRT Racing Team Beta will take part in the Grand Prix of Latvia, the eighth round of the FIM Motocross World Championship 2023, which will be held on the sandy circuit of Kegums.
Ben Watson: “I knew this GP wouldn’t be easy because of the aftermath of my thumb injury, but once I got on the bike, I was able to ride well despite the pain. Unfortunately, however, I had problems in both races and had to retire. A good result was within my reach and I am very disappointed it turned out this way. We will make up for it in a couple of weeks in Latvia on a track that I particularly like.”
Alessandro Lupino: “In France we raced on one of the most difficult tracks I have encountered in my entire career. On Saturday in the time practices, I hit my knee. In qualifying I was riding well but I hit my knee again and at that point I was forced to slow down, losing some positions. In the races I gritted my teeth because every time I put my leg on the ground the pain would flare up. The good thing is that we managed to collect points in both races. With the coming weekend without racing (the first for me since the Internazionali at Ponte Egola) I will have the chance to fully recover and arrive in Kegums in the best condition.”
