7th overall for Hofer at Latvian MXGP 5th Rd. EMX250 European Championship 2019 – Kegums (LAT) One week after his maiden EMX250 podium appearance in Russia, Rene Hofer rode to another encouraging scorecard across the flat corners and sandy top-soil of Kegums at the Grand Prix of Latvia. The European Championship followed MXGP from the shores of the Black Sea to the regular home of Latvian motocross at Kegums, close to the city of Riga. The fast, rough and tricky course kicked off the second half of the EMX250 campaign. Hofer posted the 3rd fastest lap-time in Free Practice and was then 5th in his Timed Practice group. The opening moto took place on Saturday and the Austrian managed to recover from an off-track excursion and fight through the top ten to grab 8th by the chequered flag. In the second race Sunday morning Hofer was further forward after a fantastic start and finished less than two seconds away from 5th position, eventually taking 6th. Rene Hofer: “It was a tough weekend and the track was so challenging. I had to come back from that off-track moment in the first moto and worked my way up to 8th because of some good passes in the last few laps. I wasn’t really myself though and wasn’t happy with my riding. The holeshot was better in the second race! I led the first lap and just struggled with the waves. The rest of the sections were absolutely fine. I was able to hold on to 6th which was a solid result and I rode better. My sand riding was OK; I just suffered with one place on the track. Anyway, Germany now and back to the hard-pack and I’m really looking forward to it.” Hofer came to Latvia holding 4th place in the EMX250 standings and in what is his first term steering the 250 SX-F. The youngster retains the same ranking with round six to occur at Teutschenthal and the Grand Prix of Germany next weekend. Results EMX250 Latvia 2019 1. Roan Van de Moosdijk (NED) Kawasaki (1-1) 2. Alberto Forato (ITA) Husqvarna (3-4) 3. Jeremy Sydow (GER) Husqvarna (2-5) 4. Stephen Rubini (FRA) Honda (5-3) 5. Raivo Dankers (NED) Yamaha (4-7) 7. Rene Hofer (AUT) KTM (8-6) Standings 2019 EMX250 after 05 of 8 rounds 1. Alberto Forato, 201 points 2. Stephen Rubini, 201 3. Roan Van de Moosdijk, 194 4. Rene Hofer, 138 5. Giuseppe Tropepe, 114