Bertram Thorius delivered an impressive ride to claim third overall aboard the Fantic XX 125. In MXGP, Brent Van doninck returned to competition alongside Alberto Forato, with the Italian finishing 13th overall.
Fantic Factory Racing EMX
On the red clay of Águeda, Bertram Thorius and the Fantic Factory Racing EMX team secured their second podium finish of the EMX125 season, as the 15-year-old Dane once again confirmed himself as one of the most promising prospects in the class. Fastest in free practice and fourth in time practice, Thorius delivered a solid ride in race 1 to finish fourth.
Race 2 was off to an even better start, as Thorius launched his race-kitted Fantic XX 125 to the holeshot. He maintained a strong pace and crossed the line in second, securing third overall at the Portuguese GP.
A podium finish could also have been within reach for Gennaro Utech, who enjoyed a strong Saturday. Third in time practice, he impressed with a strong ride in race 1. Fast and determined from the start, the 17-year-old Italian held second place for most of the race. A few small mistakes in the closing stages saw him lose one position with two laps to go, but he still secured a a well-earned third-place finish.
Utech was in a promising position to fight for an overall podium as well, but a crash on the opening lap of race 2 put an early end to his weekend. Following contact with another rider, Utech was unable to avoid the incident and suffered a heavy blow to his left shoulder. Initial medical checks at the track ruled out any fractures, and his condition will be monitored over the coming days.
Thorius and Utech sit fourth and sixth respectively in the provisional EMX125 Championship standings, but the attention now turns to the FIM Junior Motocross World Championship, scheduled for 4-5 July in Jinin, Czech Republic.
Bertram Thorius:
“I am very happy to be back on the box! My riding was good all weekend and it felt great to get the holeshot in race 2. Overall, it was a really good GP, and I would like to thank the Fantic Factory Racing EMX team, my trainer Kenny, and everyone supporting me both at the track and back home. Now I am looking forward to representing Denmark at the Junior World Championship.”
Gennaro Utech:
“Obviously, I am disappointed to end the weekend like this, especially because on Saturday, it was pretty clear we had the pace to fight for the podium: third in time practice, a good start and third in race 1. In race 2, there was nothing I could do to avoid the crash. Fortunately, there is no serious damage to my shoulder, so now we look ahead.”
Fantic Factory Racing MXGP
The MXGP of Portugal started off with positive news for Fantic Factory Racing MXGP, as Brent Van doninck was given the green light at the mandatory medical check. After the heavy crash in Montevarchi, his back injury fortunately proved to be less serious than initially feared, allowing the Belgian to return to action aboard his Fantic XXF 450.
However, the race weekend on Águeda’s distinctive red clay proved challenging for both the Belgian and his teammate Alberto Forato. In a stacked MXGP field, the pair weren’t quite able to fight for the top 10 this time around. Thanks to a solid finish in race 1, “Alby” still managed to cross the line in 13th, with Van doninck following one place behind in 14th.
In race 2, the Italian struggled a little more to maintain the pace and had to settle for 15th. Van doninck pushed through despite not yet having found the right feeling, and took the chequered flag in 16th. Overall, Forato finished 13th, while Van doninck was classified 16th – and most importantly, scored points again after being forced to miss Fantic’s home GP in Montevarchi.
With the season now past its halfway point, Forato sits 12th in the provisional championship standings. There will be an immediate opportunity to bounce back, as the FIM Motocross World Championship now heads to South Africa for round 11 next weekend.
Alberto Forato:
“There is not much to say, unfortunately it was just not my weekend. It is disappointing, but the season is long, so we will reset and focus on the next races. As always, I am giving it everything, and so is everyone in the team and at Fantic. We are working hard and we will keep doing so until we achieve our goal.”
Brent Van doninck:
“Obviously, the final result is not what we wanted, but considering that just a week ago I didn’t even know if I would be able to ride, I will take it. The positive is that my back felt alright, and that gives me confidence heading into the next races.”
