Strong second podium of 2013 for Ferris

Three Monster Energy Yamaha riders filled positions in the top seven of the FIM Motocross World Championship Grand Prix of Portugal at Agueda today and Australian Dean Ferris was able to take his pacey YZ250F to second place overall for what was the sixth round of seventeen in the series.

Hot sunshine bathed the 15,000 attendance at the impressive and popular venue south of Porto and the decent weather – combined with excessive watering from the circuit organisers – formed a bumpy, rough and difficult hard-pack. The physical demands of the surface meant it was one of the hardest circuits this season.

Ferris picked up his second trophy of 2013 after posting results of 6th and 2nd in the two motos. ‘111’ could have accrued even more points had it not been for a slow speed crash in the first race that caused him to drop from a fairly comfortable runner-up slot. After impressing on his Monster Energy Yamaha debut at Qatar Ferris is now at full fitness in the distant wake of his collarbone break prior to round three and looking to expand his collection of silverware from sixth in the MX2 table.

Christophe Charlier is still waiting for that first champagne shower. The Corsican was fifth overall and just one point away from the rostrum as he continued his consistent but oh-so-near trail of results. The former European champion was fourth after a bad start in the first moto and then rode mostly alone to fifth place in the second outing for another sufficient points haul. ‘23’ is currently fifth in the standings on the prototype YZ250FM and just 12 points from the top three.

Mel Pocock was seventh overall for one of his best classifications of the season so far. The reigning European champion was satisfied with two bright starts from a gate spot of 23rd (courtesy of a fall in the Saturday qualification race) and rode to 8th and 9th in the motos. His bullish charge into the top ten in the second sprint was eye-catching and reversed a trend from recent GPs where the Brit has struggled in the closing stages. Maxime Desprey’s 14th and 12th positions represented his second highest points haul of his maiden grand prix term.

The Grand Prix of Brazil at Beto Carrero (for the second year in succession) will constitute round seven of the championship and take place in two weeks time.