Honda Pro Racing News Release
Unchartered territory awaits the Honda contingent for Round 12 of the World Championship at the new venue of Campo Grande – Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Following last year’s successful return to South America after a decade’s absence – the Brazilian GP at Canelinha circuit in Santa Catarina – the 2010 GP of Brazil is staged at an the entirely new venue within the city of Campo Grande in the south of the country. The track is set within the city limits and it is therefore expected that a large crowd of enthusiastic fans will turn out to watch the best MX riders in the world do battle on the grand stage.
Honda Racing MX Martin rider, Jimmy Albertson, is now back close to full fitness after the big off he had in Lommel, Belgium 3 weeks previous. The tough Missourian has spent the last week as home in the US and has been getting in some solid riding that has helped regain his confidence on the CRF450R, so vital for competing at the top level of the sport. An overall of 18th last time out in Czech Republic was by no means a bad result given that ‘Albee’ was riding injured, but deep down he will know that inside the top 10 is where he wants to be and this will no doubt be the aim of the sole Martin rider this weekend. Guest team mate in the last two GPs, Yu Hirata, has now returned back to Japan with some valuable information to aid the development of next year’s bike, leaving Albertson as the single rider in the Martin squad.
LS Motors Honda rider Davide Guarneri has also overcome injury to ride this weekend in Brazil. After a collision with Josh Coppins in the early stages of the first moto in Loket, Czech Republic, the LS man sustained a back injury which precluded him from taking part in any further racing that weekend. However, only a week later, Guarneri made a comeback in the Belgian Championship in Keiheuvel, Balen, a series in which he now sits 3rd, one position behind his LS team mate Tanel Leok.
Leok will be looking to emulate the form that saw him take the win in the first moto in Loket. On the level playing field that comes with a brand new track such as Campo Grande, Leok will no doubt be dangerous once more. His hard-charging style helps him get to grips with new tracks quicker than most. It takes a lot to intimidate the Estonian Express and a new circuit is viewed as welcome challenge, rather than something to be feared.
The CAS Monster Honda team will be looking to their riders Evgeny Bobryshev and Gareth Swanepoel to push for top 5 results and for places on the podium. Hot property Bobryshev was riding injured last time out in Loket but is now back to almost full fitness and is expected to feature once more towards the sharp end of the classification. South African, Swanepoel, had a strong ride in the Czech Republic but an unfortunate mechanical issue in the second moto dropped him out of 6th position. He will feel that he has a score to settle in Brazil and will be pushing for a strong overall classification.
Jimmy Albertson, Honda Racing MX Martin
“I’m really excited about racing in Brazil! I have been in the USA for the last week so I feel refreshed and ready to race. Riding at home has been going well so I’m ready to hit the track hard this weekend!”
Tanel Leok, LS Motors Honda
“I had quite a big crash on Sunday in the qualifying race of the Keiheuvel round of the Belgian Championship. The headache wore off, but I still had some neck pain today (Tuesday). However all of that should be okay next weekend. Brazil should be interesting, because it’s always a bit of an adventure! Also because we go to a new venue. It’s definitely a different sort of race compared to the other GP’s. Probably they have a lot of jumps again and it will be quite a test to change back to the deep sand for the GP of Lierop after Brazil.”
Davide Guarneri, LS Motors Honda
“My back pain is getting better so hopefully everything will be fine for Brazil and I can do a normal race there. A lot depends on the track of course. Campo Grande will be new for all GP riders and I don’t really know anything about it. Someone told me it’s hardpack with some woodchips mixed in, but you only know for sure when you see it! When we go to Brazil it is always cool to catch up with Antonio Balbi. We are good friends and I know him from when he was staying in Italy a couple of years ago. From the South-American guest riders Balbi will probably be the only one to race on a similar pace as we do.”
