South African motocross GP campaigner, Gareth Swanepoel, narrowly missed out on an overall podium spot at the thirdround of the FIM Motocross World championship in Agueda.
The Molson Kawasaki rider started off the weekend well by
qualifying third in his heat on Saturday. He grabbed a top-ten
start in the opening moto and quickly set about moving through
the pack. The rough track conditions and sweltering heat suited
the 22-year-old as he closed down a 7-second gap to pressure
Tommy Searle in the closing stages of the race. Swanepoel also
had to keep fellow South African, Tyla Rattray, at bay as he
crossed the finish line in fourth in between an orange sandwich.
The deciding moto would be filled with drama as fellow Kawasaki
rider Christophe Pourcel retired after a crash, leaving a possible
podium spot up for grabs. Swanepoel lost his chance when he
went down on lap four and reappeared way down the field.
Determined not to give up on his shot at the box, he put his head
down and fought hard to break back into the top ten around the
halfway mark. As time ran out, Swanepoel took the chequered
flag in eighth, narrowly missing out on a podium spot by three
points. “I enjoyed the first moto and managed to close Searle
down from way back but I just couldn’t find a way past," said
Swanepoel. "I threw away a podium chance in the second moto
when I went down in a turn but I was pleased with how well I was
able to come back through the pack. I have gained some places
in the championship and there are still some areas I need to work on. Starts are so important in the MX2 class but I am confident that if
I can get those sorted I can run up front with the guys.” Swanepoel's fifth overall has now moved him into seventh in the championship
standings with the Italian GP in Mantova (6 May) offering the perfect opportunity for the South African to gain some more valuable MX2
championship points.
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