Fernandez on his sand pace at Riola

At a observe that Ruben Fernandez admitted wasn’t his favorite, the Group HRC rider put in a powerful journey within the MXGP of Sardegna qualification race to complete sixth and preserve his second place within the 2023 MXGP World Championship standings.

With per week of profitable sand coaching periods beneath his belt, the #70 headed to Riola Sardo, buoyed by each his victory on the MXGP of Patagonia-Argentina and the way a lot he had improved within the deep dune sand. Within the free observe session, he took his time to re-familiarise himself with the treacherous Riola Sardo circuit earlier than going out in timed observe and instantly placing in a time to problem these on the high. Having a ‘purple sector’ for lots of the session, he was visibly extra snug than he’s ever seemed earlier than and ended up fifth, which set himself up properly for the qualification race.

Narrowly avoiding a primary flip pile-up, Fernandez put in an important first lap to shortly transfer into fourth place, earlier than settling right into a tempo with these round him. For the primary half of the race, he rode a wise race, .-

.not taking too many possibilities on what’s at all times a troublesome observe to barter. However a few errors by these in entrance, out of the blue put him third place and with second inside view, he twisted the throttle to shut up and make his transfer. Sadly, as he went to cross the journey in second, he tucked the entrance finish and dropped a couple of positions. Remounting in sixth, he nonetheless had work to do to carry off the chasing pack, however displaying outstanding coolness beneath strain, particularly having simply dropped some locations, he introduced it dwelling in sixth to offer him 5 invaluable championship factors.

It additionally offers him one other good gate-pick for tomorrow’s races which depend for the championship and the precise GP general. That is the place he was profitable at spherical one, going five-one for the highest step of the rostrum after a fourth place in qualification, and the hope is that he’ll be capable of repeat that type of efficiency right here and proceed his nice begin to the 2023 world championship.

Fernandez: I used to be actually pleased with my using as we speak, feeling so significantly better than I’ve ever felt when using right here. Within the qualification race, I needed to keep away from one other rider in flip one, after a great leap out of the gate. This slowed me a bit however I used to be nonetheless capable of make some good passes in flip two after which on the remainder of the primary lap. I had a great pace going and was completely happy the place I used to be, however close to the tip I noticed I used to be gaining on second place so I attempted to make the transfer however the low solar simply caught me out a bit and dropped the bike within the flip. It was a disgrace however I’m nonetheless very constructive for tomorrow the place I do know I can put in related rides and preserve this momentum going.

Marcus de Freitas: Total, it was an excellent day for Ruben and the group. He confirmed his sand abilities as we speak and we’re very completely happy along with his using in all three periods. Every time he went out on the observe he acquired higher and higher, from eleventh in free observe to fifth in timed observe after which he was within the high 5 for almost all of the qualification race, solely dropping to sixth when he tried to make a cross for second place a few laps from the tip. If he will get a great begin tomorrow, we’re assured he can problem the rostrum spots and proceed his wonderful begin to the season.

Phrases and pictures: Honda