The starts and a clean run through the first three turns proved vital after intermittent rain showers made the surface of the iconic hard-pack raceway in the shadow of the Alps even more unpredictable than usual. The Dane was able to avoid the tumult at turn three in race one to run an early eighth but fell victim to the heavy track conditions two turns later to be temporarily pushed down to twelfth. Quickly moving back up the leaderboard he had his sights on top-six with two laps remaining but significantly lost drive exiting a sticky turn before a steep climb and had to be satisfied with seventh at the finish. Caught up badly in traffic entering the first corner in race two he rode a tremendous next few corners to advance from last to tenth; it proved difficult to advance on a drying track in a rapid train until fitness played a role and with four laps remaining he was up to his eventual fifth, a moto result which secured sixth on the day and maintained fifth in the series points standings.
Mikkel Haarup: “I have mixed feelings with the day but I’m happy with my efforts and to come away with two decent motos and sixth overall. I knew this morning it would be a tricky day for me on this track. I didn’t have fantastic starts so I had to work my way up the field both motos; I felt I would have a better rhythm in the second moto but I spent a lot of energy in the first race, making a lot of mistakes and trying too much. “
Words & photos: Kawasaki EU
Mikkel Haarup: “I have mixed feelings with the day but I’m happy with my efforts and to come away with two decent motos and sixth overall. I knew this morning it would be a tricky day for me on this track. I didn’t have fantastic starts so I had to work my way up the field both motos; I felt I would have a better rhythm in the second moto but I spent a lot of energy in the first race, making a lot of mistakes and trying too much. “
Words & photos: Kawasaki EU
