The eighth round of eighteen in MXGP saw another impressive performance by Vsevolod Brylyakov in the MX2 class as the Russian captured seventh position overall with his fettled Monster Energy Dixon Racing Team Kawasaki KX250F. The Pietramurata circuit in Arco di Trento deep in northern Italy was the setting for the Grand Prix of Trentino and the narrow and tight hard-pack was slick and technical for the two motos on Sunday after a downpour turned the practice and qualification programme on Saturday into authentic ‘mudders’. Tommy Searle retired after a crash in the second MXGP moto while brandmate Dylan Ferrandis used the team’s engine programme to seize a first race holeshot and become the first rider to dethrone Jeffrey Herlings in 2016.

Sunday was thankfully dry and free of rain and the effect of the ‘monsoon’ the previous afternoon actually helped roughen and slow the quick Italian soil. With its distinctive left-right tight first corners, Pietramurata demanded a strong start for any designs on rostrum silverware.

‘Seva’ regained some valuable confidence seven days previously in Germany with yet another top ten finish in MX2 and in the wake of a disappointing outing in Latvia the week beforehand. Trentino marked the third race in a row for the paddock and Brylyakov was again searching for speed and feeling akin to his form in Mexico that delivered a stunning maiden podium. ‘18’ wasn’t quite on the same level as the leaders in Italy but did enough in the two thirty minute and two lap motos to score a ninth and eighth.

It was a tough meeting for Tommy Searle in MXGP and on the KX450F. The Brit was part of a first-moto-first-turn pile-up and then hard to find overtaking spots to come back through to twelfth. In the second race he was searching for the top ten when he made a pass but then tumbled out of lap seven of nineteen. Slightly dazed Searle was forced to the pits.

Seva holds eighth in the MX2 standings, one point from seventh while Searle is eleventh in MXGP. Monster Energy DRT Kawasaki move back to the UK now and straight into the third round of the Maxxis British Championship with Hawkstone Park ready to welcome the next fixture of the national competition and with Searle ready to renew his title duel with Shaun Simpson.