Top-10 finishes for TJ O’Hare and Tomass Sileika
Race Report: WMX Rd 2 - EMX250 Rd 1, Valkenswaard - The Netherlands
The energy-sapping conditions of the rough Eurocircuit made Valkenswaard a highly anticipated race. Loved by some feared by others. Only a short hop across the border for the Belgian KTM Diga Junior Racing squad the team experienced a positive race weekend in Holland. TJ O’Hare battled her way to a career best P8 moto finish and currently sits 10th in WMX world standings. Fill-in rider Tomass Sileika scored a sensational P10 finish on Sunday after a year of absence at the elite level.
While the final outcome was encouraging, the buildup to the second round of the 2020 FIM Motocross World Championship had been highly dramatic for KTM Diga Junior Racing. EMX250 rookie Alessio Sasso from California suffered a hard crash on Wednesday during practice in Berghem, the Netherlands. Sasso dislocated his hip and sustained a torn ACL and MCL as a result of his fall. Only on Friday morning former team rider Tomass Sileika was drafted in to replace the unfortunate American.
After an absence of almost two years, his last big race was the Russian EMX250 round in 2018, Tomas Sileika made a sort of fairytale comeback in Valkenswaard. The tall Latvian rode to a creditable 10th place in his timed practice group. Sileika was forced to retire in the opening moto due to a technical failure but bounced back with an impressive second moto. Starting 14th Tomass climbed up to 8th before finishing 10th in the end.
For Emil Jönrup Valkenswaard was the first big test on the 250 bike. Recording a solid 15Th time in time practice allowed the former Scandinavian 125cc champion to overcome his first obstacle, qualification. Emil had a challenging first race on Saturday. In spite of a good start nerves got the better of him. Jönrup rode tight and ended up hitting the deck. For the second moto he made headway, showed more fight and came home 24th, less than 2 seconds behind the 22nd rider.
The first WMX sprint of the weekend saw the best female motocross riders in the world competing on a very rough track. To make things even more complicated O’Hare had a few crashes, hitting her shoulder when she went down in the rollers on one occasion. Eventually the Australian KTM rider placed 15th. On a faster, more flowing track today TJ felt a lot more at ease. She rode her 250 SX-F to a terrific top-5 start, made a small mistake but pulled through to capture a strong eighth place at the end of the 20 minutes plus two laps event.
TJ O’Hare: “I think I was a bit too stressed on Saturday I think. Halfway through the race I calmed myself down because I made some many mistakes but things improved from there. After they flattened the track it was much easier to keep the speed today. I’m pumped about that eight place in the second race moto, my best world championship result ever! For the moment I’m quite pleased with my speed I just need to build more consistency into my riding to eliminate the mistakes. If I can achieve that even top-6 would be within reach.”
Tomass Sileika: “The plan was to come to Valkenswaard on my own with a stock bike and a friend who was willing to wrench for me this weekend! Only in November I started riding again because I actually quit motocross completely for a year and a half! So I was really determined to make the best of this opportunity. The bike worked really well, we were unlucky in the first moto but in the final race I showed that I have the speed. I got arm pump halfway through the race and made some silly mistakes, still given the circumstances I’m proud of what I achieved here. Valkenswaard was my third race this season and the first big one in ages so of course I lack race rhythm and the bike was completely new to me. I hope I can build on this.”
Emil Jönrup: “I’m happy that I passed my first goal for the season, to qualify. My second moto was definitely better. I was more motivated to fight. Starting from the outside was difficult but I had to make the best of the situation. In the next races I want to be more consistent to run similar lap times from start to finish. Anyway it was positive to see that my fitness is okay, I just need more race experience because I barely didn’t do any races for a long time.”
Alessio Sasso: “Obviously I’m really bummed because of this injury. I’ve been working my ass off to prepare for my first race weekend in EMX250 but sometimes these things happens. I’d like to thank everyone who’s been sticking behind me through this but and I apologize for letting people down. Recovery will be long but I’m not ready to give up!”
EMX250 Race 1
1. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), 29:58.958; 2. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), +0:22.743; 3. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, Husqvarna), +0:27.086; 4. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +0:29.598; 5. Lion Florian (GER, KTM), +0:34.531; 6. Gianluca Facchetti (ITA, Yamaha), +0:35.941; 7. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:36.834; 8. Andrea Adamo (ITA, Yamaha), +0:41.825; 9. Karel Kutsar (EST, KTM), +0:46.433; 10. Glen Meier (DEN, Yamaha), +0:57.302; 11. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +1:15.747; 12. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +1:20.945; 13. Marcel Conijn (NED, KTM), +1:22.566; 14. Raf Meuwissen (NED, Husqvarna), +1:34.116; 15. Timur Petrashin (RUS, KTM), +1:35.653; 16. Adam Zsolt Kovacs (HUN, Husqvarna), +1:41.081; 17. Filip Olsson (SWE, Husqvarna), +1:41.626; 18. Emilio Scuteri (ITA, KTM), +1:50.404; 19. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), +1:50.851; 20. Pierre Goupillon (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:59.973; 35. Emil Jonrup (SWE, KTM Diga Junior Racing), -1 lap(s); 39. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM Diga Junior Racing), -9 lap(s);
EMX250 Race 2
1. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), 29:38.873; 2. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:01.820; 3. Andrea Adamo (ITA, Yamaha), +0:08.612; 4. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Husqvarna), +0:10.181; 5. Karel Kutsar (EST, KTM), +0:17.307; 6. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), +0:24.199; 7. Lion Florian (GER, KTM), +0:25.008; 8. Marcel Conijn (NED, KTM), +0:28.929; 9. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), +0:39.706; 10. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM Diga Junior Racing), +0:43.715; 11. Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), +-1:49.800; 12. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), +0:46.150; 13. Glen Meier (DEN, Yamaha), +0:47.032; 14. Sander Agard-Michelsen (NOR, Yamaha), +0:48.544; 15. Raf Meuwissen (NED, Husqvarna), +1:06.562; 16. Marcel Stauffer (AUT, KTM), +1:07.168; 17. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, Yamaha), +1:12.311; 18. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, Husqvarna), +1:17.530; 19. Manuel Iacopi (ITA, Yamaha), +1:22.379; 20. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Husqvarna), +1:29.468, 24. Emil Jonrup (SWE, KTM Diga Junior Racing), +1:42.833;
EMX250 Valkenswaard event classification and standings
1. Bastian Boegh Damm (DEN, KTM), 50 points; 2. Isak Gifting (SWE, KTM), 34 p.; 3. Andrea Adamo (ITA, YAM), 33 p.; 4. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 32 p.; 5. Lion Florian (GER, KTM), 30 p.; 6. Liam Everts (BEL, KTM), 29 p.; 7. Karel Kutsar (EST, KTM), 28 p.; 8. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 28 p.; 9. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, HUS), 27 p.; 10. Jorgen-Matthias Talviku (EST, HUS), 23 p.; 11. Marcel Conijn (NED, KTM), 21 p.; 12. Glen Meier (DEN, YAM), 19 p.; 13. Gianluca Facchetti (ITA, YAM), 15 p.; 14. Raf Meuwissen (NED, HUS), 13 p.; 15. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM Diga Junior Racing), 11 p.; 16. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), 11 p.; 17. Sander Agard-Michelsen (NOR, YAM), 7 p.; 18. Timur Petrashin (RUS, KTM), 6 p.; 19. Marcel Stauffer (AUT, KTM), 5 p.; 20. Adam Zsolt Kovacs (HUN, HUS), 5 p.; 21. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA, YAM), 4 p.; 22. Filip Olsson (SWE, HUS), 4 p.; 23. Emilio Scuteri (ITA, KTM), 3 p.; 24. Manuel Iacopi (ITA, YAM), 2 p.; 25. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, HUS), 1 p.; 26. Pierre Goupillon (FRA, KAW), 1 p.;
WMX1 Race 1
1. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), 24:52.910; 2. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:00.912; 3. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), +0:07.719; 4. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +1:04.770; 5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +1:08.385; 6. Line Dam (DEN, Yamaha), +1:52.464; 7. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +1:59.671; 8. Britt Van Der Werff (NED, Suzuki), +2:12.182; 9. Britt Jans-Beken (NED, KTM), +2:14.614; 10. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), +2:31.745; 11. Amber Simons (NED, KTM), +2:35.931; 12. Emelie Dahl (SWE, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 13. Mathilde Martinez (FRA, KTM), -1 lap(s); 14. Justine Charroux (FRA, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 15. Tahlia Jade O'Hare (AUS, KTM Diga junior Racing), -1 lap(s); 16. Kimberley Braam (NED, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 17. Avrie Berry (USA, KTM), -1 lap(s); 18. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), -1 lap(s); 19. Ida Djärf Björklund (SWE, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 20. Stephanie Stoutjesdijk (NED, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s);
WMX1 Race 2
1. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Yamaha), 26:24.710; 2. Courtney Duncan (NZL, Kawasaki), +0:21.693; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, Yamaha), +0:22.301; 4. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), +0:31.462; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, Yamaha), +0:42.279; 6. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), +0:44.880; 7. Line Dam (DEN, Yamaha), +1:26.892; 8. Tahlia Jade O'Hare (AUS, KTM Diga junior Racing), +1:31.830; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, Suzuki), +1:34.255; 10. Britt Van Der Werff (NED, Suzuki), +1:47.243; 11. Britt Jans-Beken (NED, KTM), +2:00.164; 12. Mathilde Martinez (FRA, KTM), -1 lap(s); 13. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), -1 lap(s); 14. Emelie Dahl (SWE, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 15. Fiona Hoppe (GER, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s); 16. Demi Verploegh (NED, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 17. Madelen Hofseth Pedersen (NOR, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 18. Justine Charroux (FRA, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 19. Gabriela Seisdedos (ESP, Kawasaki), -1 lap(s); 20. Stephanie Stoutjesdijk (NED, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s);
WMX Valkenswaard event classification
1. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 45 points; 2. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), 43 p.; 3. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 42 p.; 4. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 40 p.; 5. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 31 p.; 6. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 30 p.; 7. Line Dam (DEN, YAM), 29 p.; 8. Britt Van Der Werff (NED, SUZ), 24 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 23 p.; 10. Britt Jans-Beken (NED, KTM), 22 p.; 11 Tahlia Jade O'Hare (AUS, KTM Diga junior Racing 19 p.; 12. Mathilde Martinez (FRA, KTM), 17 p.; 13. Emelie Dahl (SWE, YAM), 16 p.; 14. Justine Charroux (FRA, YAM), 10 p.; 15. Amber Simons (NED, KTM), 10 p.; 16. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), 8 p.; 17. Fiona Hoppe (GER, HUS), 6 p.; 18. Demi Verploegh (NED, YAM), 5 p.; 19. Kimberley Braam (NED, KAW), 5 p.; 20. Madelen Hofseth Pedersen (NOR, YAM), 4 p.; 21. Avrie Berry (USA, KTM), 4 p.; 22. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), 3 p.; 23. Gabriela Seisdedos (ESP, KAW), 2 p.; 24. Stephanie Stoutjesdijk (NED, HUS), 2 p.; 25. Ida Djärf Björklund (SWE, YAM), 2 p.;
WMX standings after two rounds
1. Courtney Duncan (NZL, KAW), 90 points; 2. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, YAM), 85 p.; 3. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, KTM), 80 p.; 4. Nancy Van De Ven (NED, YAM), 78 p.; 5. Lynn Valk (NED, YAM), 66 p.; 6. Line Dam (DEN, YAM), 54 p.; 7. Shana van der Vlist (NED, KTM), 50 p.; 8. Mathilde Martinez (FRA, KTM), 39 p.; 9. Anne Borchers (GER, SUZ), 39 p.; 10. Tahlia Jade O'Hare (AUS, KTM Diga junior Racing), 36 p.; 11. Britt Jans-Beken (NED, KTM), 35 p.; 12. Emelie Dahl (SWE, YAM), 32 p.; 13. Britt Van Der Werff (NED, SUZ), 31 p.; 14. Sara Andersen (DEN, KTM), 25 p.; 15. Jordan Jarvis (USA, KAW), 22 p.; 16. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, KAW), 18 p.; 17. Jamie Astudillo (USA, KTM), 18 p.; 18. Justine Charroux (FRA, YAM), 12 p.; 19. Elisa Galvagno (ITA, YAM), 11 p.; 20. Amber Simons (NED, KTM), 10 p.; 21. Gabriela Seisdedos (ESP, KAW), 8 p.; 22. Fiona Hoppe (GER, HUS), 6 p.; 23. Kimberley Braam (NED, KAW), 5 p.; 24. Demi Verploegh (NED, YAM), 5 p.; 25. Virginie Germond (SUI, KTM), 4 p.; 26. Madelen Hofseth Pedersen (NOR, YAM), 4 p.; 27. Avrie Berry (USA, KTM), 4 p.; 28. Mathilde Denis (FRA, YAM), 3 p.; 29. Malou Jakobsen (DEN, KTM), 3 p.; 30. Brenda Wagemans (BEL, YAM), 3 p.; 31. Stephanie Stoutjesdijk (NED, HUS), 3 p.; 32. Nieve Holmes (GBR, HUS), 2 p.; 33. Ida Djärf Björklund (SWE, YAM), 2 p.; 34. Kathryn Booth (GBR, KTM), 1 p.;
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