Measured approach delivered Cluzel win

Eventful may be an understatement when describing Jules Cluzel’s start to the 2010 season. Having made the move to the new intermediate Moto2 class from the former 250cc category, he started the campaign in fine style with a podium finish in the first race in Qatar.

Eleventh place at Jerez followed before Cluzel crashed out whilst leading his home GP at Le Mans. The 21 year-old then fell again whilst in second position at Mugello as he pushed for a second podium finish of the season, and the two DNFs led to a different approach at Silverstone which paid off on Sunday with victory.

“I tried to stay at the front but not to win because before at Le Mans and Mugello I wanted to win and I crashed out,” said Cluzel, who was involved in a battle with Thomas Lüthi and Julián Simón for the victory. “Here I tried to stay behind some fast riders… Julián did some good laps and I tried to stay behind him and not to pass, and we were a group so it was easier to pass on the final two laps and I did that.”

Cluzel explained that his success came after a warm up session in which he did not feel totally comfortable on his Suter machine. He continued: “I’m very happy because I’ve made some mistakes up to now. At Le Mans I was first and the bike was great so it was my fault. After that at Mugello it was the same, I was second but I didn’t feel so good on the bike and this morning that was the case as well. But the team worked very hard before the race and I had a great bike. I’m delighted for the team because they did a good job, and I tried to do one too!”

Cluzel, who now has 46 Championship points and is seventh in the overall standings, added: “We now have two (back-to-back) races and we need to continue in this direction. We have a good bike and I hope we maintain this momentum.”