It has been an up-and-down return to the MXGP paddock for Honda HRC Petronas’ Tom Vialle, but a breakthrough second-place finish at Loket marked his strongest result since returning from injury. In this Debrief feature, the Frenchman recalls his weekend in the Czech Republic.

Image: Supplied.

First podium since injury

Yeah, it’s been good all weekend, actually. Yesterday during the qualifying race, and both motos today, the track was challenging. I’ve not been racing GP for the last three years, and coming back here, those guys ride really well and have been racing for so many years, so it was quite hard. But I had a great feeling all weekend. The last two or three rounds were quite tough. I was right there, but a couple of crashes put me out of a good result. So, yeah, I’m really happy about the day and about the weekend. I’ve been working really hard during the week. No one really sees that, but I’ve actually been working quite hard every day, and it paid off today. So, I’m really happy.

Image: Supplied.

Learning from Jeffrey Herlings

Yes, of course. I always start pretty well, and again this weekend I had three great starts, and that helped a lot. I rode a couple of laps in both motos in front of Jeffrey [Herlings], but then he passed me. For me, I’m still learning. It’s my first 450 season, so riding behind Jeffrey and trying to learn every time he passes me… Some guys might get passed and just let it happen, but I’m trying to learn as much as I can from what he’s doing – going outside, inside, trying to learn and be better. That’s a big gain for me as well. But yeah, it’s nice to be back. The bike has been improving a little bit, so we’re in a really good place.