Two of the three riders on the Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing squad just competed in their first pre-season event of the season. The first stop of the Internazionali d'Italia series provided a chance for both Simon Längenfelder and Mattia Guadagnini to gain race knowledge aboard their GASGAS machines.
Momentum is currently in the corner of Längenfelder, as he showed some impressive form on that MC 250F and stood atop the Internazionali d'Italia podium. It was a rather strong showing for '516' – he showed patience and maturity whilst working from third to first in moto one. Längenfelder then logged a third in the second race, opting to ride well within his means in tricky conditions, and was eventually crowned the overall victor. A strong way to start the new year.
Simon Längenfelder: "I had such a good jump out of the gate in the first race, but I wheelied and that cost me the holeshot! I was third and took my time to find a nice rhythm, before I pushed for the lead. I got both of the guys in front of me, even though I had a lot of arm pump in the end! I started second in the second race, but the track was quite sketchy and it was dark in some places. I decided to stay safe and still won the overall, so it was a nice way to start the season."
Full of excitement as his first full season on the MC 450F beckons, Guadagnini was solid on Italian soil and raced to a consistent fourth in moto one. Although the result was the same in moto two, a fourth, the way in which he got there was a lot more spectacular, as he led five laps and got a taste of the pace that the experienced contenders are running. 4-4 scores left him in fourth at the end of the day, but the knowledge gained was far more valuable than any ranking.
Mattia Guadagnini: "I am really, really happy with my MC 450F! I was fourth in the first race and stayed with the front group for half of the moto, but then I had arm pump and was not riding that good. I started second in the second race, then led for ten minutes or something. I tried my best to stay in front. It was dark in some spots on the track, so I did not feel completely confident and lost a couple of positions. I was fourth again. I think that I can do better, but it was a good race."
Red Bull GASGAS Factory Racing will take what they have learned and apply it in training, as their preparation for the 2023 FIM Motocross World Championship seriously ramps up. The Grand Prix of Patagonia-Argentina will be run on March 12.
MX1 – Overall
1. Jeremy Seewer (Yamaha) 47pts
2. Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) 45pts
3. Tim Gajser (Honda) 42pts
4. Mattia Guadagnini (GASGAS) 36pts
MX1 – Moto One
1. Maxime Renaux (Yamaha)
2. Jeremy Seewer (Yamaha)
3. Tim Gajser (Honda)
4. Mattia Guadagnini (GASGAS)
MX1 – Moto Two
1. Jeremy Seewer (Yamaha)
2. Tim Gajser (Honda)
3. Maxime Renaux (Yamaha)
4. Mattia Guadagnini (GASGAS)
MX2 – Overall
1. Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS) 45pts
2. Thibault Benistant (Yamaha) 42pts
3. Andrea Adamo (KTM) 37pts
MX2 – Moto One
1. Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS)
2. Cornelius Toendel (KTM)
3. Thibault Benistant (Yamaha)
MX2 – Moto Two
1. Andrea Adamo (KTM)
2. Thibault Benistant (Yamaha)
3. Simon Längenfelder (GASGAS)