EMX250 top five result for improving Hofer across Trentino hard-pack

2nd Rd. EMX250 European Championship 2019 – Trentino (ITA)

A solid debut for Rene Hofer at Matterley Basin and the British Grand Prix two weeks prior to the second round of eight in the 2019 EMX250 European Championship led into another positive performance by the Austrian rookie across the rough, demanding and restrictive Arco di Trento facility in Italy.

Heavy rainfall in the days (and hours) before the meeting meant the Pietramurata hard-pack was rougher and more technical compared to previous editions of the Grand Prix. With the EMX250 motos split across both Saturday and Sunday (and on a small course shared with the MXGP and MX2 classes as well as EMX125) there were varying conditions for the riders in what is a tough feeder contest to the FIM World Championship.

On Saturday Hofer clocked the 7th fastest lap in Timed Practice and then suffered on the slick metal gate for the start of the opening race. He was shrewd negotiating the incredibly tight left/right first turns and ended the first lap just outside the top ten. #711 pushed his way to 8th and was less than two seconds away from Ruben Fernandez at the flag. In the second moto under cloudy skies on Sunday the eighteen year old launched away from the line strongly and reached 6th place. He worked through the moto to rise up to 4th spot and record his personal best in the series so far. Hofer is up to 5th in the championship standings.

Rene Hofer: “Qualifying was OK but I didn't really get the lap I wanted: 7th was decent though. I had wheelspin at the start of the first race so I didn't get out of the gate at all, luckily I came through the three first corners really well and made up a lot of positions. After reaching 11th I kept going and finally had 8th. The second moto was a lot better. A good start and it was great being up there in the mix. I’m really happy to make my first top five and now we will use the long break to work on a few small things.” 

Round three of EMX250 will take place on the hillside of St Jean D’Angely for the Grand Prix of France on May 26th.

Results EMX250 Trentino 2019

1. Alberto Forato (ITA) Husqvarna (1-1)
2. Stephen Rubini (FRA) Honda (2-2)
3. Giuseppe Tropepe (ITA) Yamaha (5-3)
4. Pierre Goupillon (FRA) Honda (4-6)
5. Rene Hofer (AUT) KTM (8-4)

Standings 2019 EMX250 after 02 of 8 rounds

1. Alberto Forato, 100 points
2. Stephen Rubini, 80
3. Pierre Goupillon, 67
4. Roan Van de Moosdijk, 63
5. Rene Hofer, 59