Hofer satisfied with top five at Swiss Grand Prix

7th Rd. EMX125 2017 – Frauenfeld (SUI)

The series joined MXGP for the second week in succession and swapped sand for edgy and gnarly soil as a three-class EMX programme again played a supporting role to the Grand Prix categories. The KINI KTM Junior Racing Team found a space in the Swiss paddock and rolled out the bikes of Hofer and those of fellow teenager Mike Gwerder; the youngster facing his first home fixture at this level. Rain had battered and softened the circuit in the days leading up to the weekend but Saturday and Sunday saw dry and warm conditions. 
Hofer made a decent top ten start in the first moto and kept a strong and consistent pace through the race to push up from ninth to reach fifth position; just a second away from fourth place and his best classification of the season so far. On Sunday morning the two-stroke brigade faced a track that had been heavily watered and worked-through in various sections. The going was slippery and hard to judge. Hofer again gated well and was seventh on the first lap. He charged to gain two more positions and then ran out of time to snare the fourth place that would have given the Austrian his first EMX125 podium result.
Hofer’s points total in Switzerland means the fifteen year old is now fifth in the championship standings. 
Gwerder rode well at his home event to come through the typically frantic EMX125 Timed Practice sessions and notched the third fastest effort in the Last Chance outing to earn his slot for the two motos. The Swiss managed 29th on Saturday and was forced to pull out of the second moto on Sunday morning after a crash ruptured his fuel tank cap and he only just made it to the pitlane.
Hofer: “Top five, good starts and I almost made the podium. It was quite a good weekend even if the track was very slippery and hard to judge in the second moto. I put myself near the front this weekend and I’m pretty pleased with how it went.”
Didi Lacher, Team Manager: “So close again for Rene today and there are positives with his speed and his starts and we only missed out on that first podium by a couple of points. The wet track didn't help us much this morning and I felt that Rene found his rhythm and speed and didn't want to push over that. He is established as a top five rider now and we know he is ready to go the next step. We have one more race this year to try and make it. I’m happy for Mike. Coming through that Last Chance was a big deal for him and he was able to learn a lot by being in the gate for both motos. We know what he is capable of in training and I hope we get the chance to see that come through more. Onto Sweden now and the final race: we’re looking forward to it.”
EMX125 will come to a close next month with the last round of eight taking place at Uddevalla. The quarry-set hard-pack and slippery course north of Gothenburg returns to the GP calendar after a year and the undulating course will be a curious test for the 125cc elite.
Last Round: August 20 2017 – Uddevalla (SWE)

Results EMX125 Frauenfeld 2017
1. Brian Strubhart Moreau (FRA), KTM (2-1)
2. Gianluca Facchetti (ITA), Husqvarna (1-2)
3. Mattia Guadagnini (NOR), KTM (4-6)
4. Jeremy Sydow (GER), KTM (7-4)
5. Rene Hofer (AUT), KTM (5-5)
Other KTM
40. Mike Gwerder (SUI), KTM (29-DNF)
 
Standings EMX125 2017 after 7 of 8 rounds
1. Strubhart Moreau 295 points
2. Facchetti 276
3. Haarup 260
4. Kevin Horgmo 230
5. Rene Hofer 166
Other KTM
29. Stauffer 27

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