Mickael Pichon Honda celebrated his first MX1 ‘double’ of the season by winning both motos at a wet Grand Prix of Europe, at Teutschenthal, on Sunday - a result which, combined with a lowly eleventh in the first moto for series-leader Stefan Everts, has tightened the championship chase considerably.
Weather conditions had improved in eastern Germany, close to the town of Halle, as the relentless debilitating rain of Saturday gave way to wind and passing clouds; thankfully no further showers.
However, the effects of the excessive water on the track created a sticky and rough course where the slightest mistake would prove costly. The racing line was fast, narrow and rough and overtaking was again a precious commodity.
24,000 fans packed the chilly Talkessel circuit and witnessed Pichon enact a perfect set of motos as he hole shoted both races and led from the first corner to the chequered flag.
The jump from the start gate was the crucial moment of the day and the twenty-eight year old was faultless on both occasions. The Frenchman was far happier with the handling of his CRF450R aced his 35th career win.
Only Stefan Everts, who crashed in the opening race and fought his way up from last to eleventh, could run Michael close in the second moto - but Pichon was able to manage a comfortable cushion over his main title rival after the Belgian came off worse during a lap one clash between the pair. The victory marked Pichon’s first double win since the 2004 GP of the Czech Republic.
"I’ve been waiting for this win for a long time," grinned Mickael. "I’ve been training really hard this winter and like all of us I just want to win races. Last weekend in Namur was a tough day for me, I never felt really good on the bike and on that track and I was pretty happy with two fourth positions. Here I wanted to win, I like this circuit a lot even if last year I had a bad crash.
