Honda HRC PETRONAS’s Tom Vialle won his first MXGP overall in just his third attempt, after storming through the field in the second moto to back-up his victory in the first moto. Starting from 18th gate-pick, the Honda CRF450RW rider powered away to lead the whole of race one, showing his speed on a tricky Frauenfeld track.
He wasn’t able to repeat that in race two though, and instead had to come from outside the top 20 to power his way to sixth place. It was a remarkable comeback that surprised even the Frenchman as he didn’t know he’d won the Swiss GP until he got behind the podium.
It was a crazy turn of events, which showed that the rookie MXGP rider is already a force to be reckoned with, especially as he can make the necessary passes on what is traditionally a difficult track to move through the field. This victory now sees him to within seven points of the title-lead and after three completely different terrains, he is proving he will be a threat at every round.
«I really didn’t know that I had won when I crossed the line. I thought I’d be on the podium because other riders didn’t have two good scores, but I just wanted to try and pass as many guys as possible in that second moto. Still, it is a very cool to have won the GP, my first in the MXGP class and my first with this new team and hopefully the first of many. It was a very tricky circuit and not something I’m used to, but I kept fighting until the end and while I did make a couple of mistakes, it is good to know that I have been at the front in three different types of track.»
