Kegums, Latvia (8/12/2010) - Paul Holmes
takes more Podiums in Latvia Round 6 of the
Goldspeed European Quad Cross Championship was
held at the ‘Zelta Zirgs’ circuit
in Kegums, Latvia last weekend. With blistering
temperatures reaching as high as 37°C the
circuit was opened to another large crowd of
spectators. The sand based large format circuit
was packed with large jumps and technical corners.
HOLMES Racing’s Paul Holmes, eager to
repeat his 3 wins here last year was looking
for another successful weekend to continue his
Championship campaign.
The track action for Saturday consisted of
the usual two free practice sessions with a
30 minute qualifying session in which Holmes
prepared and set up his HOLMES Racing KTM ready
for Sundays races. Holmes was satisfied to have
3rd fastest time at the end of the qualifying
session just 0.997 secs from 1st placed Jan
Vlaeymans and used Saturday evening to make
all the final alterations before Sundays three
25min + 2 lap races.
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Holmes
Racing's Paul Holmes secured a 2nd place
finish in the first race of the day
in Latvia after leading much of the
race but being passed by Romain Couprie
in the latter legs of the race
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Race 1: With an almost perfect start Holmes rounded the 1st corner
in a close 2nd place behind Couprie and before
getting to the 2nd corner Holmes had taken the
lead of the race. As Holmes felt comfortable with
the track conditions and his form he started to
pull away from the field. On Lap 3 whilst Holmes
pushed hard to make a gap behind himself and Couprie,
he set the fastest lap of the race with a 1:53.292
which was also the fastest lap out of all the
competitors over the whole weekend showing the
incredible speed Holmes has. At just over the
half way marker Holmes made a few mistakes whilst
still trying to push hard for the quick lap times
and series leader Couprie closed in and started
battling for the win. Holmes crossed the chequered
flag in 2nd place just 3.443 secs behind 1st placed
Couprie.
Race 2: Holmes made another
good start and came round the 1st corner in
2nd place behind Couprie. As Holmes pushed hard
and started to battle for the win, he came short
on a large table top jump resulting in a broken
rear axel. With this unfortunate blow to Holmes’s
race, it was an unfortunate non finish.
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Paul Holme's
third race of the day was the best one
yet as he lead from start to finish
& claimed 3rd place overall on the
day after a DNF in moto two
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Race 3: Putting race 2’s
misfortune behind him, Holmes took charge of
the race from the beginning with a great Holeshot.
After an almost race long battle with Couprie
it was during the last 5 laps that Holmes started
to forge a greater gap on Couprie. At the chequered
flag it was Holmes taking the race win and 25
valuable points. With the race 3 win, a 2nd
place and the unfortunate race 2 result Holmes
still claimed 3rd place on the overall podium.
Holmes commented after the days racing: “I’ve
really enjoyed myself this weekend despite the
race 2 result. I’ve already put that behind
me and it showed as I was able to bounce back
to win the last race. I am pleased with my speed
at this moment and am really pleased to have
had the fastest lap of the weekend. My team
has been working extremely hard and that is
paying off. I’d like to say a big thanks
again to all my awesome sponsors, team and family
for all their fantastic support.”
Championship standings (after 5
of 7 rounds)
