David Philippaerts took his first overall victory of the 2011 FIM Motocross World Championship this weekend at the Brazil GP. Philippaerts took a first and second place finish in Brazil, giving him enough points to take the overall victory.
Much like last year, Philippaerts battled throughout the weekend with Antonio Cairoli. But this time Philippaerts came out on top.
“I am so happy with this win and Brazil is becoming a special place for me after some good motos last year also,” Philippaerts said. “The track was nice and every corner was different with the lines, so the riders were going at different speeds. Like last year I have the same points as Antonio but we have the win this time and I am pleased about this.”
Philippaerts and the Yamaha team will now travel to the French GP where Philippaerts took his first GP victory in 2005.
“We go to France next and I won my first GP there in 2005 and also last season so I am motivated for this race,” Philippaerts said. “I’m glad to be heading home now.”
Philippaerts teammate Steven Frossard also had a successful weekend in Brazil. Despite a thumb injury sustained at the USA round, Frossard was able to take fourth and fifth during the weekend.
“I was happy with the first race because I had a good battle with Cairoli and Philippaerts and it was a lot of fun,” Frossard said. “In the second moto I took a great start but Philippaerts was faster. At mid-race distance I had a lot of pain in my thumb and I couldn’t brake properly. I had to let Ramon and Desalle go through and I ended the race disappointed with fifth because I was close to the podium. It was difficult today. The first part of the track was good but all the bumps and the uphill of the second half of the lap was very difficult for me.”
Clement DeSalle maintained the overall leader position with two fourth place finishes. DeSalle had a crash filled weekend and was happy to walk away with the overall lead.
"This circuit was pretty difficult for me,” DeSalle said. “I crashed three times in qualification and finished 12th to try and get the best position possible in the gate because the start is important here with the uphill. It was my mistake on Saturday and I have to learn not to do it again. My start was not great in the first moto but I came back really well. I made a big mistake by the pit-lane and I was really disappointed by that. In the second moto I was fighting with Tony, took the lead; and then decided to change my line a little bit over the finish table-top. I couldn't complete the corner and crashed. I restarted and rode to fourth and made the podium, rescuing some points. This was not my best weekend but it could have been worse."
