KIWI RIDER MARCH 2021 VOL2 | Page 18

DIRT NEWS
with Prado , but after ten minutes I suffered arm pump and there was no other option than to reduce my pace . I didn ’ t want to take any risks ; I just finished the race and I knew that I wouldn ’ t have similar troubles with my arms in the SuperFinal . Once more I had a good start in second and took the win ; it ’ s nice to get my first victory of the season , even if it ’ s not so significant as the first GP is still some months away . This week we will test some more parts to prepare for the next races .” Riders returned to Sardinia for the second round of the series at the Alghero circuit , with the Yamaha and Husqvarna machinery piloted by MXGP riders stealing the show . After a pair of podium results in the season opener at Riola Sardo followed by a second place in the MX1 moto , Husqvarna ’ s Thomas Kjer Olsen chalked up his first victory on the FC450 during the Supercampione race . Ending lap one in sixth place , the 23-year-old then picked off his rivals as he worked on reeling in the race leader , Kawasaki ’ s Romain Febvre . With Kjer Olsen displaying incredible speed around the Alghero circuit , he was soon onto the back wheel of Febvre and made the crucial pass for the lead on lap 13 . Maintaining his strong pace for the rest of the moto , he claimed an impressive first-ever 450cc race win . Kjer Olsen will definitely be a rider to watch during the coming MXGP season . “ It feels amazing but also a little unexpected to have won the Supercampione race today ,” an elated Kjer Osen said . “ After the first race I knew my speed was good , I just made a few mistakes and for the second moto I knew I had to clean those up . My start in the second race wasn ’ t the best , but I felt great on the bike . We have such a good set up with the bike that it allows me to ride freely and with a lot of confidence . I was able to push to the end and enjoyed leading laps and taking the win . We learnt a lot today . These races are important to test settings in a racing environment and to learn how my competitors race too , so this trip to Sardinia has been really productive .”
Results : 2021 Internazionali d ’ Italia Round 1
MX1 1 . Jorge Prado ( KTM ) 16 laps ,
29:23:556 2 . Glenn Coldenhoff ( Yamaha )
29:25:990 3 . Thomas Kjer Olsen
( Husqvarna ) 29:26:988
Supercampione 1 . Romain Febvre ( Kawasak )
16 laps , 29:44:053 2 . Thomas Kjer Olsen
( Husqvarna ) 29:45:367 3 . Glenn Coldenhoff ( Yamaha )
30:01:234
Results : 2021 Internazionali d ’ Italia Round 2
MX1 1 . Glenn Coldenhoff ( Yamaha )
18 laps , 28:24:167 2 . Thomas Kjer Olsen
( Husqvarna ) 28:32:063 3 . Ben Watson ( Yamaha )
28:41:184
Supercampione 1 . Thomas Kjer Olsen
( Husqvarna ) 18 laps , 28:39:336 2 . Romain Febvre ( Kawasaki )
28:40:717 3 . Glenn Coldenhoff ( Yamaha )
28:55:904
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