MARTENS FINISHES FIGHTING SECOND AT GURP TT.
ROCKSTAR ENERGY HUSQVARNA FACTORY RACING STAR PLACES CLOSE RUNNER-UP AT FIFTH STOP OF CHAMPIONNAT DE FRANCE DES SABLES.
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Yentel Martens has secured a strong runner-up result at round five of the Championnat de France des Sables in Grayan-Et-L’Hôpital. Fighting tooth and nail with his closest rival Nathan Watson, Martens just lost out on the final lap of the two-hour 30-minute long race, finishing a close second.
Returning to competitive action in the French Beach Race Series following the Christmas break, Martens took to the start line of the 518-strong entry eager to show his speed. From the off, the Husqvarna FC 450 rider set the pace to lead the proceedings at the end of lap one.
Out front for the opening six laps – of an eventual 12-lap event – the Belgian then faced a lengthy battle for victory with Watson during the second half of the race. For a further six exciting laps, the duo were wheel-to-wheel, with neither rider refusing to yield. However, with Watson upping his pace on the final lap, Martens narrowly missed out on the win but secured a well-deserved runner-up result. The sixth and final round of the Championnat de France des Sables takes place at Enduropale le Touquet on February 3.
Yentel Martens:“That was a really nice race. Although I didn’t manage to get the victory, as a racer it’s hard to be disappointed in a performance like that. Nathan and myself were battling all the time and we were pushing the pace a lot. He just had that little bit extra on me during the final lap, but I can’t complain because I gave it everything I had. I must give a big thank you to my team, they were awesome too. The bike was wonderful and our pitstops were very slick and fast. With two weeks to go until le Touquet the race is now beginning to build on our minds. Today I showed that I can go there and be a contender for the top step of the podium. Everything is working so well and there is a good feeling inside the team that we can deliver something special there.”
Results – Championnat de France des Sables, Round 5
1. Nathan Watson (KTM) 12 laps 2:30:07.650
2. Yentel Martens (Husqvarna) 2:30:51.180
3. Milko Potisek (Yamaha) 2:32:38.110
4. Jeffrey Dewulf (KTM) 2:34:25.190
5. Jeremy Van Horebeek (Honda) 2:34:55.910
Text/Bild: Husqvarna/Haudiquert