The Gabriel SS24 KTM Racing team travelled to Shropshire and the famous Hawkstone International on Sunday with Josh Gilbert in the MXGP class and Cas Valk in MX2, looking to continue their good run of pre-season form.
Words by Gabriel SS24 KTM Racing – Images courtesy of Ray Archer
In the MX2 class Cas qualified 3rd and had a good feeling on the sandy circuit. In Moto 1, he had a good start but struggled to pass on the one-lined track, and by the time he got to third position, the leaders had pulled away. Shortly into moto 2 there was a red flag with a full re start.
Cas again restarted in second behind current MX2 world champion Adrea Adamo to where he would finish the 25 minute + 1 lap race. As well as securing 2nd on the podium these results qualified Cas to line up for the superfinal. The MX2 riders were let off the gate first shortly followed by the MX1 riders. Cas started in second and throughout the moto was picked off gradually by the faster 450 machines. He finished a very respectful 12th in the combined results, and the second MX2 machine.
Up next for Cas is Lierop International this Sunday 3rd March.
Coming into the weekend Josh was carrying a slight lower back issue but was able to compete and got stronger as the day went on. He qualified 17th which he was not happy with but didn’t let it affect him ahead of the races. In moto 1 he had an unusually bad start but got up to 11th place just behind Adam Sterry and despite getting close was not able to make the pass. In moto 2 he had another good jump but had more bad luck when he got caught up with another rider and had a first turn crash. Coming from dead last he came through the pack to finish 10th.
Heading into the superfinal Josh rode his best all day and finished the superfinal 7th in the combined results, 6th MX1 machine and top British rider for which he received the Vaughan Semmens Memorial Trophy for. This was Josh’s last preseason race to get the final touches sorted before his season officially starts in Argentina for the MXGP series on the 9th/10th March.
Team Manager Shaun Simpson, said: “Hawkstone is always a great pre season race and this year certainly didn’t disappoint! Probably one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen at Hawkstone in the last 20 years. It’s a great test for the riders and was nice for us to showcase our new paddock setup for our British fans and sponsors. Both Josh and Cas steadily got better as the day went on, the mechanics done a fantastic job with the tight schedule and it was nice for Cas to get his first podium of the season. We are gathering some momentum now and are looking forward to Lierop this weekend for Cas and Argentina in two weeks to start the MXGP championship with Josh.”
