Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP undertook the mountainous task of travelling over to Palembang, in Indonesia, for the eleventh round of the 2019 FIM Motocross World Championship this past weekend. The all-new venue, which prompted the shortest lap times of the term, hosted 30,000 fans across the weekend.
Qualifying at Palembang was a mixed experience for the Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP duo. Arnaud Tonus used the power within his YZ450F to start up front early on, but ultimately ended in fifth and two positions ahead of Gautier Paulin. Paulin battled forwards after a fall early on. Tonus did not get as good a start in the first points-paying moto on Sunday, unfortunately, and actually had a fairly quiet race, as sixth was the position that he started and finished in.
The second race was difficult for Tonus, as a freak problem caused him to grind to a halt early on. The issue meant that his podium streak came to an end, as he ended in thirteenth overall, but fifth is still the position that he occupies in the championship standings. Fourteen points separate him from Gautier Paulin in fourth now. Paulin enjoyed a consistent day in what were tough conditions, as he hovered on the cusp of the top five in both motos.
A seventh was the result that he garnered in moto one, then he followed that up with a very strong fifth in race two. The results put him sixth in the overall classification and also helped him take sole possession of fourth in the standings. Nine measly points separate him from the bronze medal, so the battle will rage on across the remaining seven rounds.
The Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP team will stay in Indonesia for the next seven days, as the twelfth round of eighteen will be held at Semarang next weekend.
Gautier Paulin: “The weekend started well. The track was cool and really tacky, so I managed to post the fastest time. In the first race I did not get the best start and we are all really close in speed on the track, so it was difficult to pass. At one point the guys got away and I secured seventh. The second race was challenging… I had a small issue on the sighting lap and I started a little bit stressed out. I got a normal start, I was third around the corner, and I finished fifth, although I had a small issue with the front brake. No excuses: I felt good on the bike so I am really looking forward to the next round. We will keep our head up and continue to push. I really want to thank the Monster Energy Wilvo Yamaha MXGP team for all of their hard work and support.”
Arnaud Tonus: “Tough weekend overall. I feel like I took some time to get used to this track and find my rhythm. I was starting to find it, but it was a bit too late. I was sixth in the first race and then I got a good start in the second race, but even before the exit of the first turn the bike stopped. It was unfortunate. These things are part of the sport and they happen, so we will just shift our focus to the next round.”
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