Max Anstie took his Monster Energy Dixon Racing Team KX250F Kawasaki to fifth position overall across the slippery stony terrain of Pietramurata today for the Grand Prix of Trentino. Italy was the site of the first European-based meeting of the FIM Motocross World Championship and the fourth round of eighteen this season.
Five racing classes – three European series in support of MX2 and MXGP – meant that the hard-pack was suitably battered and roughened throughout the weekend and the formation of sharp bumps created a surface that punished the smallest of mistakes.
Maxxis rider Anstie rode to tenth position in the Qualification Heat on Saturday and this meant a reasonable gate pick for Sunday and at a Grand Prix in which the Briton picked up zero points last year. With sunshine and a light wind brushing the facility close to Lake Garda Anstie made decent progress in the first moto (thirty minutes and two laps duration). He started in the top five, passed Pauls Jonass for fourth and then kept a margin ahead of Argentine GP winner Dylan Ferrandis.
‘99’ could sniff a potential first podium opportunity on the Cosworth-powered machine and was searching for a drama-free set of motos after a crash in Qatar, forced absence in Thailand and then the second moto gate mistake in Argentina. Max almost survived without trouble but a crash cost him time and concentration and he could manage no higher than seventh spot by the finish.
The result moves Anstie to 12th in the MX2 championship standings and sets him up nicely for his first attack of the sand since August.
The Grand Prix of Europe means a drive north to the Eurocircuit at Valkenswaard in Holland this week. Round five of eighteen ventures into the sand and a similar terrain to the Grand Prix of Belgium at Lommel; scene of the last sandy GP fixture and also Max Anstie’s first victory last summer.
