PM: Husqvarna



Kicking off their 2019 racing season at the opening round of the Internazionali d’ Italia MX series in Riola Sardo, both Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing team riders Arminas Jasikonis and Mikkel Haarup have secured positive top five results in Sardinia.

Following months of preparation, Arminas Jasikonis made his competitive debut aboard the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing FC 450 machine in Sardinia. Posting the third fastest time in the MX1 qualifying session, Arminas was determined to make a productive start his season at the sandy circuit of Riola Sardo.

Not getting the best of starts in the MX1 class moto, the 21-year-old Lithuanian racer battled his way from outside the top 10 to secure a strong fifth place result. Involved in a first corner crash during the Supercampione moto, Arminas was denied the chance of battling for another strong result.

The opening round of the Internazionali d’ Italia MX provided the perfect opportunity for Mikkel Haarup to demonstrate his potential aboard the Rockstar Energy Husqvarna FC 250 machine. Getting a good start in the MX2 class moto, the young Dane earned a highly-positive runner-up result. Battling through a mediocre start, Mikkel wrapped up the combined MX2/MX1 Supercampione final moto by claiming a 14th place finish.

Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing riders will return to action on February 3 for the second round of the Internazionali d’ Italia MX in Ottobiano

Arminas Jasikonis: “It feels good to be behind the starting gate again. This weekend in Sardinia I had a good feeling on the bike and I’m happy I showed the speed is there. In the MX1 moto I didn’t manage to get a good start but kept my head down to finish fifth. I struggled a bit with arm pump in the closing part of the race but I tried not to let that slow me down. Going into the Supercampione final I felt ready to show my speed again. Unfortunately, I went down in the first corner and that made it all harder for me. I got up and did a few more laps but I felt some pain in my right leg and had to pull out of the race. I’ll give my body some time to heal and prepare for round two of the series next weekend in Ottobiano.”

Mikkel Haarup: “I’m really happy to kick off the season here in Sardinia. It was a good training for the new season and I collected some good experiences racing with the best MX2 riders. In the opening moto I got a great start and kept pushing, making passes. In the last 10 minutes of the race I found myself in second place and retained my pace to finish there. In the Supercampione final it took me some time to find a good pace and I kept improving my speed as the race went on. I feel very good at the moment. The work in the off-season has started paying off and I’m excited to continue fighting for strong results this season.”

Results – Internazionali d’Italia Motocross 2019, Round 1

1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 16 laps, 30:31.171; 2. Romain Febvre (Yamaha) 30:42.427; 3. Tim Gajser (Honda) 30:49.163… 5. Arminas Jasikonis (Husqvarna) 31:14.649; 6. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 31:50.610… 10. Matiss Karro (Husqvarna) 15 laps, 31:15.829… 16. Johannes Nermann (Husqvarna) 32:20.299… 22. Alessandro Lentini (Husqvarna) 14 laps, 30:57.043… 24. Thomas Martelli (Husqvarna) 13 laps, 31:26.712; 25. Roberto Ciannavei (Husqvarna) 12 laps, 32:02.614… 28. Ramon Savioli (Husqvarna) 9 laps, 19:55.323

1. Jorge Prado (KTM) 16 laps, 30:45.394; 2. Mikkel Haarup (Husqvarna) 31:10.723; 3. Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna) 31:14.409… 10. Alberto Forato (Husqvarna) 32:26.662… 17. Roland Edelbacher (Husqvarna) 15 laps, 30:59.623; 18. Raf Meuwissen (Husqvarna) 31:05.978; 19. Gianmarco Cenerelli (Husqvarna) 31:12.933; 20. Joakin Furbetta (Husqvarna) 31:20.980… 32. Leonardo Angeli (Husqvarna) 14 laps, 31:59.568

1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 16 laps, 30:29.908; 2. Tim Gajser (Honda) 30:48.624; 3. Jorge Prado (KTM) 30:56.966… 8. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 32:23.773… 12. Matiss Karro (Husqvarna) 31:13.351… 14. Mikkel Haarup (Husqvarna) 15 laps, 31:15.073; 15. Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna) 31:15.365… 22. Johannes Nermann (Husqvarna) 32:46.886… 24. Raf Meuwissen (Husqvarna) 14 laps, 30:38.650… 27. Gianmarco Cenerelli (Husqvarna) 32:28.035

Championship Standings (After Rnd1)

1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 120pts; 2. Romain Febvre (Yamaha) 100; 3. Tim Gajser (Honda) 80… 5. Arminas Jasikonis (Husqvarna) 60; 6. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 55… 10. Matiss Karro (Husqvarna) 36… 16. Johannes Nermann (Husqvarna) 25… 22. Alessandro Lentini (Husqvarna) 19; 23. Thomas Martelli (Husqvarna) 18; 25. Roberto Ciannavei (Husqvarna) 16… 28. Ramon Savioli (Husqvarna) 13

1. Jorge Prado (KTM) 120; 2. Mikkel Haarup (Husqvarna) 100; 3. Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna) 80… 10. Alberto Forato (Husqvarna) 36… 17. Roland Edelbacher (Husqvarna) 24; 18. Raf Meuwissen (Husqvarna) 23; 19. Gianmarco Cenerelli (Husqvarna) 22; 20. Joakin Furbetta (Husqvarna) 21… 32. Leonardo Angeli (Husqvarna) 9

1. Antonio Cairoli (KTM) 120pts; 2. Tim Gajser (Honda) 100; 3. Jorge Prado (KTM) 80… 8. Tanel Leok (Husqvarna) 45… 12. Matiss Karro (Husqvarna) 32… 14. Mikkel Haarup (Husqvarna) 28; 15. Mattia Guadagnini (Husqvarna) 26… 22. Johannes Nermann (Husqvarna) 19… 24. Raf Meuwissen (Husqvarna) 17… 27. Gianmarco Cenerelli (Husqvarna) 14

Text/Bild: Husqvarna