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MX2, Garda Trentino (Pietramurata), ITALY, 15 Septembre 2019

Adam Sterry sixth in the World

F&H Racing Kawasaki's Adam Sterry secured sixth place in the final standings of the FIM World MX2 Motocross Championship with seventh place in the Chinese GP near Shanghai.
 

The Welshman held a slender points cushion over his rivals for the top six world ranking entering the eighteenth and final round of the series and was aware of the necessity to protect his position and avoid errors in heavy going on the soft dirt of the fast man-made track. Gating sixth in the opening moto Adam rode a succession of solid laps in the humid conditions to finish a secure eighth and take a six-point advantage into race two. Again starting just outside the top six he kept a watchful eye on his points rival to again finish eighth in the moto, seventh in the GP overall and confirm his sixth-placed world ranking by five points. The achievement meant that both F&H Racing Kawasaki GP regulars have completed the season in the world top-six as Henry Jacobi, who has missed the final two GPs following knee surgery, had already secured fifth.
 
Adam Sterry: "It was close but I ended up sixth in the world, so I got the job done today. I wanted to be stronger but I didn't feel so good this weekend and it was important not to throw away all of the hard work all season by me and the team. The years seem to have flown past so quickly and it was my last GP in the MX2 class because of the age rule. F&H are an incredible team; I moved to Holland two years ago and they really made me feel like part of the family, I wish them continued success in the future. We have one more race together as I'm on Team GB for the Motocross of Nations. I remember going to the race as a little kid in 2006, collecting autographs and being so overwhelmed by the atmosphere; now, thirteen years later, I am just so proud to be on the team."
 
Roan van de Moosdijk was again impressive in his second late-season wild card ride for F&H Racing. The European EMX250 champion advanced as high as fourth place in race one before being eliminated in the closing stages and raced to a secure sixth in race two. In the wake of his European championship-winning campaign and an impressive step-over to World championship racing Roan's season is not yet over. The teenager is on the short-list for the Dutch team which will start hot favourite to win the Motocross of Nations, the annual national team contest, on home ground at the world-famous "cathedral" of Assen.
 
Roan van de Moosdijk: "I was happy with my speed this weekend; I could run top-five lap times both motos. An overseas GP is different; I found it difficult with the long flights and the jet-lag but it's good experience for next year and I need to get used to it. When we get home we have four training days together with the Dutch team for the Motocross of Nations; I think the final decision on the team will be made during the week before the race. There is no stress. If I am selected, it's a perfect way to round out a great year; if not I will be there at Assen to support the team."
 
Bud Racing Kawasaki's Mitchell Harrison ended his maiden GP season with tenth place overall in the GP of China. The American made a superb recovery to eleventh in the first moto after a first-lap error had left him last of the GP regulars. He added a solid ride to eleventh in race two.
 
Mitchell Harrison: "It was a fun weekend; it was a really good track design and dirt and it felt a lot like back home in Florida with the humidity. I was riding really good at the start of race one but I crashed; I came back really strong to eleventh. The second race wasn't quite so good but I gave it my all and came away with tenth overall. Now I will fly back to the US until January and try to get down to Florida to train in the sand. I know what I have to do for next year; the fitness is there but I have to work on the little things which will keep me in the top five every week."
 
Bud teammate Brian Moreau started slowly in the first moto but converted his initial fifteenth place into ninth at the chequered flag. A top-six start in race two offered promise of a fine conclusion to his GP campaign and he retained a top-nine ranking for five laps before overenthusiasm led to errors and his eventual withdrawal from the race following a crash.
 
Brian Moreau: "It was a long season and it felt even longer for me as I didn’t get the results I was expecting. This weekend was a mixed one with a good result in the first moto but a DNF after a crash in the second one. I was surprised to find such a track in China; in the second race I got a good start and raced with the fastest riders during the first few laps, but I’m not used to that as usually I have been starting around the fifteenth position. I tried to follow them but it was impossible and in the end I crashed. I learnt a lot from my mistakes this year and I will try to keep that in mind for the future."