Team HRC's Mitch Evans placed 19th overall at the MXGP of Riga after two tough motos in which he finished 26th and 15th.
After getting caught up in first turn crashes in both motos at the previous round on Sunday, Evans was once again unlucky as he was hit and knocked over in race one of the MXGP of Riga. Remounting down the field, he was then hit again on the first lap, making it impossible for him to get back to a point-scoring position.
In race two, the CRF450RW showed its power and he rounded the first turn in third place, well clear of any trouble behind him, finally giving the Australian a chance to show his speed against the best motocross riders in the world. And while his speed was good, his lack of riding due the shoulder injury meant that he gradually fell out of the top 10. When the chequered flag was waved, Evans was in 15th position, giving himself something to build upon now in the few days before round five.
“It was a bit of a better day than Sunday so I’m happy with how it turned out, even if it didn’t start off so well. The first moto wasn’t the best, after getting taken out in the start and then again later in the lap so I went into the second race with the mindset that it can really only get better from here, which thankfully it did.
“I ripped a good start and was able to hang with the top guys but then my lack of bike time caught up with me and I was able to bring it home in 15th. The more laps I do, the better I progress so I’m staying positive and I know I’ll get back to where I was at the beginning of the season.”
Australian Honda MX2 riders Bailey Malkiewicz and Nathan Crawford finished 19th and 26th overall, respectively, at the MXGP of Riga. Malkiewicz finished 19th in Race 1 and 17th in Race 2. Crawford finished further down the order in both races, 29th in Race 1 and 22nd Race 2.