With temperatures brutally hot, Rotorua’s John Phillips found the going tough at the weekend’s German motocross Grand Prix, but he was still pleased to report that he’d scored his first world championship point.

“On Saturday we rode in temperatures up to 34 degrees Celsius, and Sunday it was around 30,” he explained.

“The track was only built a week or so before the event at the Lausitzring speedway track and it cut up big time. I had a shocking timed qualifying but I stepped it up in the qualifying race to get 23rd in the crazy temperatures.

“In moto one I got a bad start and tried to make my way forward, but came off in a rut and couldn’t get my Dirtbike-Gym Honda started for a lap. I got going and did a few more laps before I came into the pits exhausted. My mechanic, Cam, sent me back out there almost right away, I survived to finish 23rd.

“Moto two, I got an awesome start and pushed really hard for the first part of the moto before settling in and trying to ride smooth and stay on two wheels. I ended up finishing 20th and got my first GP point.”

This for the Kiwi to be installed at 24th overall for the day and 44th in the world championship rankings.

This is just Phillips’ second GP of the season, after having raced the Swedish GP a few weeks ago.

© Photo by Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com