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Pourcel to miss Latvia

Friday, July 15, 2011 | 9:20 AM

Team Monster CLS Monster Energy Kawasaki Pro Circuit will be involved this weekend in the GP of Latvia, round 10th of the FIM World Championship, with Tommy Searle and Max Anstie both racing in the MX2 class. Third member of the team since a few weeks, Christophe Pourcel and the team have made a late decision to skip this event in order to prepare the last rounds of the series.

For his come back to the GP’s last weekend in Germany, just a few days after his arrival in Europe, Christophe Pourcel shows posted some fast lap times but retired in both races. Working all weekend long with the team to set-up his 450 Kawasaki to his riding style, Christophe had more testing sessions this week in the Netherlands but team owner Jean Jacques Luisetti and Christophe have decided to miss the GP of Latvia to come back stronger two weeks later in Belgium.

“For sure it has been a tough decision, but we’re convinced that it was the best one” said Jean Jacques Luisetti. “Since he is back on a bike after his terrible accident four years ago, Christophe is very demanding about the bike settings and we still have to work. For sure many people will comment this decision, but if we come to retire in both heats that would be worse; we need to work in a quiet atmosphere, and for sure it’s better to work during private sessions rather than on a GP. It was important to ride Germany to know in which directions Christophe wants to go, and we already made some changes on the bike but the work in not yet finished; our rivals worked all winter long to set-up their material, not us due to Ben Townley’s injury and we need time. We already found solutions in connection with Pro Circuit in the USA, and made several improvements this week, and we’ll continue during the next two weeks to work hard. The goal is to be ready for Lommel, we all know that it’s a tough race but Christophe will be back there.”

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The Conversation

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endoman wrote: 9:35am July 15, 2011

He may miss Latvia, but Latvia won't miss him.

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jsk wrote: 9:35am July 15, 2011

you gotta be kidding!!!! this guy is done...

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CA207 wrote: 9:38am July 15, 2011

I always heard how good he was without even trying(never practices). I know he overcame serious injury, but looks like it's time to put in some effort. No disrespect, just observing. Good luck Christophe.

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jsking912 wrote: 9:39am July 15, 2011

he is just scared and cant take losing

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Slim473 wrote: 9:42am July 15, 2011

Is this a James Stewart article? Sounds familiar...

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Mark S wrote: 9:47am July 15, 2011

Any time I see an article about Pourcel, I always read it just to watch the fireworks in the comments section...

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Hawk wrote: 9:52am July 15, 2011

.....a very high maintenance Diva.

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SuckItUp_U_French_Poosey wrote: 9:53am July 15, 2011

Seriously? Another aloof, misunderstood Frenchman? Put that guy back to work with Mitch frickin Payton, I don't recall any of ths BS when he rode for Mitch.

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mty wrote: 9:53am July 15, 2011

???? Demanding...... It just can't be perfect and just how far off can a bike be that you would just quit after a couple of laps? Come on CP...

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Jaypal wrote: 10:02am July 15, 2011

Where are all the bashers saying the Kawasaki is a POS. I take it the Yamaha wasn't that bad after all? This guy is really making it hard for someone to sign him next year.

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Mike wrote: 10:03am July 15, 2011

All the best CP. We´ll miss you in latvia but know you will be back strong in Lommel.

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ride111mph wrote: 10:12am July 15, 2011

We all know the Kawasaki is a good bike. Yamaha made some big changes to the machine and it might take a few years to get the bugs worked out or made another change to the bike.
CP is now known for pulling out of a race this year.

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Bill wrote: 10:18am July 15, 2011

Patterns... he will keep doing the same thing over and over again.

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stantdm wrote: 10:22am July 15, 2011

Pourcel is in the same boat as Townley. For a variety of reasons they are no longer a factor in a race and that is hard for their egos to take. Pourcel rode fine when he was with PC and he was leading the series. Now he is not competitive and he quits. Perhaps he needs Mitch but more likely he needs to retire. His injury did not seem to hamper him when he was winning, now it does. Perhaps the cumulative stress of the his injury and not being competitive has eroded his confidence and this wild searching for the "right" bike is the result.

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Joshalessi wrote: 10:35am July 15, 2011

Bike setup/riding style? Hasn't dude been riding, "practice racing" that PC 450 for months and months (other than a hot minute on the YZF?) I know that the GP tracks, fuel, etc are different but when do the excuses end and reality set in?

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doncassel wrote: 10:55am July 15, 2011

CA207, I agree. Rumor has it he trains very little and he's not getting younger.

I think the 450's are kicking HIS ass, being out of shape as he appears to be. He could probably go fast for a full moto on a 250 right now.

I watched him at Unadilla 3? years ago. He found every hidden smooth line all day. But I've seen him at rough tracks where there were no smooth lines. He didn't do as good then :)

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REED FAN wrote: 11:08am July 15, 2011

I think him and js7 are bff! maybe bubbas world is going international? starrin mr pourcel

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Seriously? wrote: 11:25am July 15, 2011

Seriously I just want to drop kick this guy in the face.. How much of a puss can you be? Such a shame to motocross to have teams pay this guy an uber amount of money to b**** and complain all the time. Get outta here!

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DJ wrote: 11:31am July 15, 2011

Pourcel - "You are the weakest link. Goodbye."

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m c wrote: 11:32am July 15, 2011

WHAT A JOKE!!! Needs more preparation aka hes not in shape. how pathetic after youve had all winter AND summer to get off your ass. what a prick.

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Will35 wrote: 11:38am July 15, 2011

I got a box full of excuses on my bedroom, probably i can get a better one for not riding :P.. just saying..

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joemotocross589 wrote: 11:41am July 15, 2011

Word is, Factory Hodaka is in major negotiations for next yr with CP. Try that puppy a few laps CP, and you'll have some idea of what awesome is.

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Done wrote: 11:46am July 15, 2011

Dude is done. Leave the sport already. I was a fan of Pourcel, but after all the crap this year....never again. There are a lot of riders out there that work day in and day out just to get to the top that would be honored to be in his place. Throw the towel in, hes done. He's such a joke.

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bd200 wrote: 12:00pm July 15, 2011

I think the 450 is too much bike for him to handle for very long. He can run the 250 motos it seems, and if you remember, the 2nd motos where very rarely wins for him then. He isnt in good enough shape to run that big bike on a rough track very long. And where are all the guys (DGIZZY) who said Pourcel would be taking podiums and winning overalls in the 450?? They are suddendly silent.

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joemotocross589 wrote: 12:15pm July 15, 2011

I've always thought the back injury would take the starch outta him on a 450. Dunno if thats the deal, but Hodaka still take him I bet.

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mxjerry wrote: 12:16pm July 15, 2011

I was a pourcel fan cuz of the butter smooth style, but now he wont even finish a moto, and blames the bike everytime... that sucks. C'mon CP needs to rip his head out of his ass. the dude does'nt give a shit about the fans... KDUB for president!

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mattdog27 wrote: 12:28pm July 15, 2011

Are you freakin kidding me!!! Hey ya brat, just ride the damn bike and shut yer mouth already. I have NEVER heard anything like this before. So ridiculous!!

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Keyboard racers wrote: 12:37pm July 15, 2011

I love all you keyboard racers calling him a puss and every other name under the sun and saying he should retire...LMAO... Apparently you rednecks don't know much about motocross, maybe you should try doing what they do? Or better yet, just stick to NASCAR you hicks

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mac wrote: 12:41pm July 15, 2011

I'm still a Pourcel fan and i hope he finds his speed again. and i still believe in some podiums. it's a delight to see him ride, so i really hope to see him in shape again

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Old Dude wrote: 1:31pm July 15, 2011

You guys act like it is no big deal to come back from being paralyzed, and still suffering from severe internal injuries. Give the guy credit for coming back and racing at the highest level in the US. Let's wait and see if he can get comfortable on the bike and put in some top results before the season is over. Having been seriously injured , I can understand how important it must be for him to have total confidence in the bike before pushing hard.
Just my opinion .

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what the wrote: 1:46pm July 15, 2011

i had been defending this guy but am starting to lose respect.

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skratchy wrote: 1:53pm July 15, 2011

When I read Pourcel was going to Miss Lativa, I googled her. She's hot. Maybe I under estimated this kid...

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ride111mph wrote: 3:01pm July 15, 2011

I google it to. I would miss her to

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Wayouthere wrote: 3:47pm July 15, 2011

"Has any seen my shoe? I thought it was in here somewhere...."

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J-Rock wrote: 4:15pm July 15, 2011

Apparently there are quite a few hot Miss Latvias, as I just googled her too. Maybe we shouldn't be so hard on CP, he obviously has something else on his mind if he is going to Miss Latvia!!

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Your all gay wrote: 4:30pm July 15, 2011

Cant you losers read,

It,s all Ben Townley,s fault,

Log on to MX Life and watch the Great quality Latvia M/X, and guess what?
NO POUCEL!!!!!!!!!!!

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'B' wrote: 7:57pm July 15, 2011

Read the Luisette quote, and it gives you His answer. Perhaps read it a couple of times, if you have difficulty.

Several here, do have a very valid point about 250 to 450 - different animals, entirely. Doesn't matter that lap times are close, and sometimes a 250 gets faster lap times - it happened in the 125 / 250 / 500 era - often the 'monsters' had slower times. It's about mastering all that power and mass.

Perhaps he won't be able to transfer his smaller bike success to MX1 - quite a few haven't made that transfer. He's also gone back to a series that gives him an extra 5 minutes to deal with - if you are a Racer, you Know that an extra 5 minutes is a not an inconsequential amount of time (I would like to see 40 + 2 laps back, myself).

Let's see what happens when they return to MX1 - It will be a make or break event, I think. It will not be easy..

I hope he gets on top of whatever issues he has - finishing his career with this sort of ????????????, will leave him with a legacy of failure - our sport has a habit of only remembering your later efforts.

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john wrote: 9:37pm July 15, 2011

this complete puss he would ride anything close at mitches team he never complained ,he is just being a douch bag fire his ass I wouldnt hire him ever again.

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sandbag caller wrote: 10:24pm July 15, 2011

He did good but got his butt kicked in the tiddler class while sandbagging. Now he is with the big boys, out of shape, and a back marker quitter.

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Verge wrote: 11:27pm July 15, 2011

Witch rider will be the next to finish a moto?
A) Porcel
B) J Law
C) Bubba

Answer: D) Who cares

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dgizzy wrote: 12:21am July 16, 2011

Is this kid serious??? Ce la Vi

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