DIRT NEWS
MXGP’ S WET AUSSIE FINALE
Darwin was the location for the final round of the FIM MXGP season. Expectations were, due to the location, that it would be dry. Expectations were hosed on as the heavens opened and washed out the final races for both MX2 and MXGP. Bikes were getting stuck, floundering in the depths of the whoops and other bikes just threw in the towel. So, not the end that the season deserved, but that is racing. Luckily, the first races for each class did run and the series leaders were declared before many headed for an early beer. Romain Febvre and Kawasaki sealed the title with a tactically astute fourth in the only race that the MXGP field had on the day. Watching and managing his points lead without taking too many risks saw Febvre secure his second title, ten years after his first one. For Kawasaki it was even more poignant as it was Team Green’ s first 450cc class title this millennium! Yep, the last time Kawasaki had a bike win the title was with Sebastien Tortelli in, wait for it … 1998.
To his credit, Febvre only needed a solid top ten finish in Race 1 to take the title, so it was perfectly understandable to see Team Green pop the corks on the bubbles as he approached the finish line. The team were over the moon that their boy had ended that drought. Febvre, after a ten year wait, was overflowing with emotion too after a consistent but tough season. The race itself belonged to Lucas Coenen( KTM) and he was safely in second for the season and the race itself had crashes galore as many riders threw everything at getting a good result to end the season on. The marshals were kept busy even before the rain started in earnest and the attrition rate was up there. When the call was made to can the last race, conditions were so dire that there was no argument from anyone. It was a shame the season ended in such a fashion and you couldn’ t help but feel sorry for the organisers and the Darwin fans. Take a bow, Romain Febvre.
86 KIWI RIDER