Suzuki dominated the opening round of the 2017 Arenacross series in Manchester, with an RM-Z450 qualifying quickest before winning all four heat races, the hot-lap, and the main event.
The series’ opener started strongly for defending champion Thomas Ramette. The Frenchman, going for his third consecutive Arenacross title, comfortably won both of his heat races, with his teammate in the SR75 Suzuki team, Cyrille Coulon, also taking commanding victories in his heat races, as the pair looked to be the class of the field.
In the Team RFX St. Blazey Suzuki team, Angelo Pellegrini and last year’s series runner-up, Cedric Soubeyras – who has made the switch to Suzuki machinery for 2017 in a bid to win his first Arenacross title – took a second and a third placed finish apiece in their heat races.
For the 2017 series, a new hot-lap replaces the head-to-head races for additional championship points, with four RM-Z450s in the top four positions, as Pellegrini bettered*Soubeyras, Ramette, and Coulon, with Pellegrini adding a further three championship points to his night’s tally.
All four riders went into the main event gunning for victory, but it started horribly for defending champion Ramette and his adversary,*Soubeyras, the pair tangling and crashing out on the first lap. At the front, Coulon had the speed to take a commanding victory, and after a series of passes – utilising his sublime speed and setup through the whoops section – he hit the front, only to be collected at the next corner. He remained upright, but a damaged gear lever left him stuck in first, and his race was over.
After stalking the leaders for much of the race, Pellegrini made his move to take the lead and the first win of the tour, and with it the series lead on his Team RFX St. Blazey Suzuki RM-Z450.
The series now heads to Glasgow for round two, which takes place on Saturday 14 January.
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The series’ opener started strongly for defending champion Thomas Ramette. The Frenchman, going for his third consecutive Arenacross title, comfortably won both of his heat races, with his teammate in the SR75 Suzuki team, Cyrille Coulon, also taking commanding victories in his heat races, as the pair looked to be the class of the field.
In the Team RFX St. Blazey Suzuki team, Angelo Pellegrini and last year’s series runner-up, Cedric Soubeyras – who has made the switch to Suzuki machinery for 2017 in a bid to win his first Arenacross title – took a second and a third placed finish apiece in their heat races.
For the 2017 series, a new hot-lap replaces the head-to-head races for additional championship points, with four RM-Z450s in the top four positions, as Pellegrini bettered*Soubeyras, Ramette, and Coulon, with Pellegrini adding a further three championship points to his night’s tally.
All four riders went into the main event gunning for victory, but it started horribly for defending champion Ramette and his adversary,*Soubeyras, the pair tangling and crashing out on the first lap. At the front, Coulon had the speed to take a commanding victory, and after a series of passes – utilising his sublime speed and setup through the whoops section – he hit the front, only to be collected at the next corner. He remained upright, but a damaged gear lever left him stuck in first, and his race was over.After stalking the leaders for much of the race, Pellegrini made his move to take the lead and the first win of the tour, and with it the series lead on his Team RFX St. Blazey Suzuki RM-Z450.
The series now heads to Glasgow for round two, which takes place on Saturday 14 January.
More...