Claiming an imposing opening moto win he then went on to earn a strong runner-up position in the second moto at the rough and rutted Kegums track.
Going from strength to strength in his first season of GP competition, the young Dane didn’t fail to deliver in Latvia. Topping Saturday’s qualifying race, the FC 250 powered rider went on to secure the first MX2 moto winning result of his career during the opening moto on Sunday.
Putting a mediocre start behind him, Kjer-Olsen pushed hard during the second MX2 moto to claim a well-deserved runner-up result at the finish line. Collecting 47 valuable points from the GP of Latvia, the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing rider moved up one spot in the MX2 class championship standings, where he is currently placed third.
“It was an unbelievable GP for us,” said Olsen. “From winning the qualifying race to getting a clear victory in moto one and then battling our way to second in moto two for the overall win, I can truly say I’m very happy with how things evolved in Latvia. Since the beginning of the season we’ve been making steady progress and that clearly shows in our results. Together with the overall victory I’m also really happy that I managed to do my own races. I remained calm and focused and even when I had to make some crucial passes in moto two I took my time and made it happen when I had to. This victory had been a great confidence booster. The pressure for a victory is off now and we will continue taking one race at a time.”
For Kjer-Olsen’s teammate Conrad Mewse, the GP of Latvia proved to be the most successful in the Brit’s career in the MX2 class. Earning ninth in the opening moto Conrad went on to claim an impressive third place result in the final moto. Showing he has the speed to continue battling for the top three he is now looking forward to the remainder of the series.
Enjoying a weekend of mixed fortunes, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Thomas Covington wrapped up the GP of Latvia with 11th overall. Battling through a bad start in moto one the American went from 20th at the end of lap one to a strong sixth place result at the end of the race. Getting a better start in moto two, Covington lead the moto for five laps but a fall dropped him to 17th.
All three Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing MXGP riders managed to claim spots inside the top seven in the overall standings. Battling the challenging track conditions, Gautier Paulin collected two seventh place results for fifth overall at the GP of Latvia. The Frenchman remains third in the MXGP class championship standings.
Showing some great speed Paulin’s teammate Max Anstie wrapped up his first GP back from injury by claiming ninth in moto one and a season best seventh place result in moto two. Getting a well-deserved boost of confidence, the young Brit remains positive of some even better results in the coming races.
Trying to capitalise on his blistering pace that saw him earn the runner-up spot during Saturday’s qualifying moto, Max Nagl collected 11/9 results for eighth overall at the GP of Latvia.
The Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team will return to action at round eight of the 2017 FIM Motocross World Championship in Germany on May 19/20.
Results MX2 Kegums 2017
1. Thomas Kjer Olsen (DEN), Husqvarna (1-2)
2. Pauls Jonass (LAT), KTM (3-1)
3. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED), KTM (5-4)
4. Jorge Prado (SPA), KTM (4-5)
5. Conrad Mewse (GBR), Husqvarna (9-3)
Standings MX2 2017 after 7 of 19 rounds
1. Jonas, 287 points
2. Seewer, 245
3. Olsen, 235
4. Lieber, 223
5. Paturel, 198
