Route77Energy MVR-D Honda endured a challenging weekend at the Loket track in the Czech Republic for round 12 of the FIM World MX2 Championship with Matiss Karro only coming away with a handful of points.
Following his strong top ten overall performance just one week ago in Lommel, Belgium, Karro was looking forward to the Loket track where he has gone particularly well in the past. However, it wasn’t to be, with the Latvian racer not looking his usual self on track and some small technical issues thwarted his overall progress.
After a good start to Saturday’s practice sessions, Karro struggled to move further up the order and get to grips with the Czecho circuit. Unfortunately in the qualifying race the 19-year-old was forced to retire early on due to a technical issue.
In race one of today Karro didn’t start well, but clambered his way to a point scoring position aboard his CRF250R. With the on and off rain conditions around the Czech Republic track conditions were changeable. The Route77Energy MVR-D Honda pilot lost his goggles halfway through and began to find some rhythm when a hard impact off one of the huge jumps damaged his rear wheel and the youngster was unable to continue.
In race two Karro gated into 16th place and again didn’t get into the groove early on. The Latvian racer lost a number of positions but began to make some headway in the second half of the 30-minute plus two-lap moto to finish in 14th position.
The team is now heading back to the UK for the seventh round of the British Motocross Championship at Duns, Scotland where Karro will look to put this weekend behind him and progress with the results he knows he is capable of.
Matiss Karro #91:
“It’s just been a difficult weekend. We came here with high hopes after two top tens and I really have been beginning to feel good since my injury, now only lacking a little bike fitness. After the big test of Lommel and getting a good result there I knew Loket was one of the tracks I go better at, but it wasn’t to be. I am really disappointed with my performance, as I just couldn’t find a good rhythm in the races and I just struggled all weekend. It is one to put behind us now and I look forward to Duns next weekend where I hope we can put on a good show.”
Mark Chamberlain: Route77Energy MVR-D Honda Team Manager
“We’ve had a few issues this weekend but to be honest Matiss just couldn’t seem to get to grips with the track and ride how we all know he can. In the first race he didn’t start well and got into the points but he just struggled. He got rid of his goggles mid-race and started to ride a bit better, but he didn’t seem to get the track dialled in. Then, unfortunately, after a hard impact there was a problem with the rear wheel, which ended his race prematurely. In the second race he was 16th after the first lap. He went forward a little but then he still wasn’t comfortable and couldn’t find his rhythm. From my side it’s been a tough weekend Matiss never really found what he needed. We will re-group this week and look at maybe why this is as he has really been going well in the last few weeks, then we’ll try and put things back to where they should be at Duns.”
