After experiencing mixed fortunes in the last two GP’s LS Honda Racing riders Ken De Dycker and Shaun Simpson are determined to improve their championship standings in the weeks to come. The Grand Prix of France in Saint Jean d’Angély, round five of fifteen, marks the first of an intense period of three consecutive races with Portugal and Spain following back-to-back after the French GP.
For the organising motoclub Angerien, the GP of France will serve as the ideal dress rehearsal for the Monster Energy MX of Nations taking place in September later this year. Despite feeling slightly under the weather since returning from the recent Grand Prix in Brazil, Simpson claimed a well deserved fourth place overall at the highly regarded Belgian Championship round of Kester last weekend. Simpson rode his CRF450R to pole position in qualifying and added two fourth places and a fifth to his scorecard. The Scottish ace is now third in the series behind Desalle and team mate De Dycker. De Dycker was forced to retire in the opening moto but scored a solid fourth and second in the remaining races.
In order to add some race rhythm to the preparations for Saint Jean d’Angély both Simpson and Honda World Motocross rider, Evgeny Bobryshev, opted to race at the Open Dutch Championship in Rhenen. Bobryshev took both moto victories in fine style, while Simpson followed up with two second place finishes to make it Honda on the top two steps of the overall podium, with home rider Marc De Reuver third.
Ken De Dycker, LS Honda Racing
“In terms of results Kester was not great, but my riding was solid. We have done some testing with the bike the last couple of days and that felt pretty good. Saint-Jean d’Angély has been a mixed bag for me in the past. Depending on the preparation and of the lines available on Saturday it suited me more or less, sometimes it’s also quite fast. But regardless of qualifying my races always seem to be okay in Saint-Jean. So I know I can do it, I just need to keep on
pushing.”
Shaun Simpson, LS Honda Racing
“My Kester results were pretty good, still my speed could have been better. On the other hand I felt very weak in Brazil and also after coming back. Rhenen turned out okay. I went there as thorough practice and I was riding quite relaxed in both motos. Unfortunately I didn’t have the speed to match Bobryshev and fight for the win, he was just too fast here. We have three hard weeks of GP racing coming up now and I will give everything I got. My aim for the French GP
is to score two top-ten places. Normally I like the dirt and the track in Saint Jean d’Angély, but I heard they made some changes so will so how that plays out.”
