Image: Supplied.

It was a mixed round eight of the 2022 MXGP World Championship for Mitch Evans in Sardinia, the Team HRC rider showing great pace but suffering in the closing stages of moto one, before a turn one crash ruled him out of contention in the second outing.

Arguably one of the toughest GPs of the season, the MXGP of Sardegna was contested in scorching temperatures, inducing increased fatigue in some of the top riders within the championship.

Unfortunately, Evans suffered from the gruelling conditions, showing top-five pace and potential throughout the first moto until fading in the final quarter to finish 22nd. Race two was brought to a premature end for the Australian after his front brake was damaged in a first turn fall.

“For three-quarters of race one, I was really excited for how the weekend would turn out,” Evans explained. “However, then the heat got to me and I really struggled to finish the moto and then race two was even worse.

“In race one I had moved up from eighth to fifth and I was closing in on fourth place and I was really happy with how I was riding. I’d had a good start as well and had found a good rhythm and things were really flowing, on what was a very rough and difficult track.

“Then I just really struggled to maintain the same feeling and dropped down the field. It was really tough and a big shame because I was riding so well.

“In race two, I wanted to come out and try my best once again and I really got a good start, and was in the lead heading down the straight.

“Unfortunately, I found a soft spot of sand as I rounded the first corner and tucked the front wheel. By the time I got back on the bike, I noticed it was damaged so I had to pull into the mechanics to fix the issue.

“Of course, by then I was way behind the rest of the field, so I tried to do a couple of fast laps before pulling off the track. It was a disappointing weekend results-wise, but I felt my riding is getting better and I’m on the right path.”