The Gabriel SS24 KTM team took to France at the weekend which hosted round seven of the MXGP world championship at Saint-Jean-D’Angély with the EMX250 series running alongside as they contested round four.
In the stacked EMX250 class of 43 riders Cas Valk qualified seventh having struggled to get a clear lap in due to multiple yellow flags. Heading into race one Cas didn’t get a good start and a first lap crash meant he was starting outside the top 30, but he got his head down and worked hard for the 25 min + 2 lap race and started climbing his way up through the ranks. He fought hard and made some good passes to cross the chequered flag in an impressive 7th place comeback, just short of 6th by 0.038th of a second.
In race two Cas secured a much better start and found himself in second chasing down holeshot man Valin. Throughout the race Cas had Reisulis on his tail pressuring him for most of the race, Cas handled the pressure well but came up just short to finish in 3rd. This result was enough to secure third overall on the podium and with red plate holder Lata having a troubling weekend the championship standings saw a dramatic change with Valin now leading and Cas moving into second trailing by just 23 points.
Cas: “My weekend in France was a bit of a struggle, I couldn’t find my flow all weekend but I still managed a solid 3rd overall. Race one wasn’t easy after spinning sideways off the gate and with a crash on the first lap, but in race two I had a really good start! Next weekend we go again for the British championship so bring it on!”
For Josh Gilbert in the MXGP class he qualified 23rd but had an impressive ride in the qualifying race despite the rain to finish his best yet 13th place. In race one Josh rode well and showed good pace throughout to finish 17th. Race two was a much different story as the thunder and lightening storm compromised the track much like it did on Saturday seeing yet another mud race. A technical issue prevented Josh from pushing on in the race but he still secured a point finishing place in 19th.
Josh: “Overall a much better weekend even if the results didn’t quite show it. In the qualifying race I came from basically last to 13th which was a very positive race. Race 1 was dry and I was happy to come away with 17th as I felt I rode well. Moto 2 was another complete mudder and we had a mechanical from the gate drop so to even come away with some points was a positive. Feeling better and better each week on the bike and really looking forward to Canada heights this weekend for the British championship!”
Team Manager Shaun Simpson: “An eventful but overall very positive weekend. Cas showed that even on an ‘off’ weekend he can still battle through the pack and fight for the podium. We have gained points in the championship and with some good races coming up in the EMX250 championship for us we will continue to claw closer to the red plate. Josh made a big improvement this week. He looked more confident and was attacking from the get go. Unfortunately the conditions haven’t been great for the MXGP guys taking the worst of the weather but I’m confident that we are making steady progress in the right direction. I’m excited to bring this pace in to the British Championship this weekend at Canada heights. Thanks to everyone involved for their support.”
The team now head back to the UK for round two of the ACU DirtStore British Championship at Canada Heights this weekend – 26th May.
Words by Gabriel SS24 KTM – Images by Ray Archer
