Teka Suzuki World MX1 and Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 commenced their 2010 activities at the Starcross International Motocross at the sandy track of Mantova in central Italy today as Clement Desalle and Arnaud Tonus made their debuts upon the RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 respectively.

Both riders finished on the podium, along with Steve Ramon in the MX1 and MX2 classes, after three 20 minute and 2 lap motos.

The event involved an entry list of many of the key protagonists from the FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship including at least five factory teams.

The grassy banks of the enclosed Mantova circuit, located in the centre of the historic town, housed a decent crowd for the initiation of the racing season. The meeting also represented a ‘warm-up’ and test opportunity for the Teka Suzuki quartet.

2007 MX1 World Champion Ramon was the highest-ranked performer with the runner-up position to Antonio Cairoli: The Belgian enjoyed three bright launches from the start gate and although he had to slow due to arm-pump to take 5th in Moto1, he was tussling with the leaders in the following outings and gained two 4th places for his overall mark. Desalle (pictured) was 3rd on the rostrum and also had an eventful first race in which he crashed and could only recover to 16th. The Belgian then flew to a brace of 2nd positions in the following sprints for his final classification. His last moto duel with Cairoli was the action highlight of the day.

Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 saw their two riders go up against the extra torque and speed of the 450s but the tight and jump-lined course narrowed the deficit: Swiss teenager Tonus gained his first piece of silverware after taking 5th, 3rd and 3rd among the MX2 field (19th, 16th and 15th in the races themselves).

Roczen was unlucky to only place 8th: The stylish German suffered a bad start in Moto1 but fought back in style to 11th (2nd place among the MX2 field). He then had to retire from Moto2 after twisting his knee and the third and final affair was curtailed after a technical problem again forced a premature retirement.

Beursfoon Suzuki’s Marc de Reuver was 5th overall in his first race with the RM-Z450 and the Dutchman collected a promising 3rd position in Moto1.

The next major meeting for the Teka Suzuki collective will occur in two weeks time with the International at Valence in France. However, a local race at Lommel in Belgium next Sunday will witness the RM-Zs again in action.

Steve Ramon - 2nd MX1:

“I am happy because Mantova is always a difficult race for me. This is an improvement over last year for sure. I had bad arm-pump in the first moto but the other two races were fine and I am pleased with three good starts. My riding was good and the third moto was the best mainly because I found the rhythm I wanted right away. This is the first race and I am on the podium, so I cannot complain too much.”

Clement Desalle - 3rd MX1:

“I just wanted to come here to ride and start the year in a good way. The result was not that important for me: I had a crash in the first moto and decided to take it easy after that. Physically I feel fine and I am taking things step-by-step. The bike worked well and we will continue to test; overall I am pretty happy.”

Arnaud Tonus - 3rd MX2:

“It is great to be on the podium. I had some good races here and the track was very difficult. We had to push a lot against the 450s and it was a positive way to train and get more time on the bike. The second and third motos were the best for me as I could not really find a rhythm in the first.”

Ken Roczen - 8th MX2:

“The first start waas bad and I was outside the top 20 but I kept going and pushed up to 11th place; I felt good on the bike and did not have any arm-pump. I got a perfect start in the second moto but then someone hit me and then crashed beside me. I got held up and was around 13th. I saw Xavier Boog ahead and thought I would have a good battle but then in a rut on the start straight I caught my left knee and had some pain. I did not want to take a risk so I stopped. The final moto was over pretty quickly when we had the engine problem. I am quite confident the knee is OK but we will get it checked tomorrow to be sure.”


Mantova Starcross Results:

Race1: 1. Tony Cairoli, ITA, KTM; 2. David Philippaerts, ITA, Yamaha; 3. Marc de Reuver, NED, Beursfoon Suzuki; 4. Shaun Simpson, GBR, KTM; 5. Jonathan Barragan, SPA, Kawasaki; 6. Steve Ramon, BEL, Teka Suzuki World MX1; 11. Ken Roczen, GER, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2; 16. Clement Desalle, BEL, Teka Suzuki World MX1; 19. Arnaud Tonus, SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2.

Race 2: 1. Tony Cairoli, ITA, KTM; 2. Clement Desalle, BEL, Teka Suzuki World MX1; 3. Tanel Leok, EST, Honda; 4. Steve Ramon, BEL, Teka Suzuki World MX1; 5. Marc de Reuver, NED, Beursfoon Suzuki; 16. Arnaud Tonus, SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2; DNF. Ken Roczen, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2.

Race 3: 1. Tanel Leok, EST, Honda; 2. Clement Desalle, BEL, Teka Suzuki World MX1; 3. Tony Cairoli, ITA, KTM; 4. Steve Ramon, BEL, Teka Suzuki World MX1; 5. Jimmy Albertson, USA, Honda; 15. Arnaud Tonus, SUI, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2; DNF. Ken Roczen, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2.