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MX2, MXGP OF PIETRAMURATA (ITA), ITALY, 27 Október 2021

Both Kawasaki’s back in the top ten at Pietramurata

Wilson Todd of Bike It MTX Kawasaki and F&H Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team’s Mikkel Haarup each returned to the top ten on the return visit of the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship to Pietramurata.

Todd, who had braved his way through the after-effects of food-poisoning on Sunday in the first of three GPs in a week at the glorious track in the shadow of the Dolomites, already proved that he was ready to race at the front again as he posted seventh-fastest time in Qualifying and an eleventh-placed start provided the impetus to push forward throughout the first thirty-five minute race to snatch sixth place five laps from the finish, defending the position admirably against the series leader through the final stages. He immediately went on the charge from a fifteenth-placed start in race two to break into the top ten after four laps and hold down ninth until a slip two laps from the end cost him two positions. Eighth overall on the day, he remains eleventh in the series standings, just fifteen points away from a top-ten world ranking with three GPs remaining.
 
Wilson Todd: “I’m all good today; better than Sunday. The track’s hard to ride but I had a good Qualifying and first race. I was looking at another good result in the second race but I tipped over with a lap to go and lost two places.“
 
After showing his speed with eighth in Qualifying the starts were once again the Achilles heel for Mikkel Haarup of the F&H Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team. From an inside gate in race one the young Dane got safely through turn one but was pushed wide at turn two to emerge twenty-fourth; excellent speed throughout the thirty-five minute race saw him advance to tenth at the finish. Trying a central gate for race two he was pushed wide at turn one and again spent his race working up the leaderboard from nineteenth to once again snatch a hard-earnt tenth on the penultimate lap for tenth overall on the day and twelfth in the points standings with a chance of top ten headed into the final three GPs.
 
Mikkel Haarup: “Today was an improvement on Sunday and eighth in Qualifying was OK for the gate. Both motos I couldn’t get my starts sorted and had to come from around twentieth; I was riding great both motos, working hard all-the-way from start to finish. It wasn’t a bad result but I know I can do better. It is what is is; we keep working and I stay positive for the last three GPs.“