The changing Mantova track in Italy presented a tough second round MX2 world championship venue at the weekend for Matiss Karro, aboard his MVR-D Suzuki, but he is still in a competitive 16th place in the FIM Motocross World championship standings.

The weather conditions overnight left the track sticky in places on Sunday, and with a great start in the first race an unfortunate early tangle with a fallen rider left Karro having to chase the pack. An energetic first lap, however, allowed him to gain some places and ensure a solid 16th place finish.

Karro began race two from the back of the pack, but another strong push through the field improved his position, and with a constant rhythm he crossed the line on his Suzuki RM-Z250 in 12th place.

Karro commented: “We made a few suspension changes coming in to the races after qualifying which made a difference. My second race went better and I managed to get a good rhythm. The power delivery from the RM-Z is great and we are starting to get everything working well.”

Team manager Mark Chamberlain said: “Its great to see Matiss making progress, he is starting to feel more comfortable on the bike and this is being shown by the results and effort he is putting in. To be 16th overall in the World Championship is a great result and we will be looking to keep his confidence up ready for the next round.”

Results:

Race one: 1st Marvin Musquin (FRA), 2nd Ken Roczen (GER), 3rd Steven Frossard (FRA), 4th Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL), 5th Zach Osborne (USA), 6th Jeffrey Hurlings (NED), 7th Shaun Simpson (GBR), 8th Joel Roelant (BEL), 9th Harri Kullas (FIN), 10th Marcus Schiffer (GER), 16th Matiss Karro (LAT) MVR-D Suzuki

Race two: 1st Marvin Musquin (FRA), 2nd Jeffrey Hurlings (NED), 3rd Ken Roczen (GER), 4th Arnaud Tonus (SUI), 5th Zach Osborne (USA), 6th Jake Nicholls (GBR), 7th Christophe Charlier (FRA), 8th Shaun Simpson (GBR), 9th Dennis Verbruggen (BEL), 10th Steven Frossard (FRA), 12th Mattis Karro (LAT) MVR-D Suzuki

Overall: 1st Marvin Musquin (FRA), 2nd Ken Roczen (GER), 3rd Jeffrey Hurlings (NED), 4th Zach Osborne (USA), 5th Steven Frossard (FRA), 6th Arnaud Tonus (SUI), 7th Shaun Simpson (GBR), 8th Jake Nicholls (GBR), 9th Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL), 10th Harri Kullas (FIN), 16th Matiss Karro (LAT) MVR-D Suzuki