Page 102 - MPG15

ARNAUD TONUS
Pro Circuit Kawasaki is one of the most historically successful teams in the pits and with that
success comes expectation. It led Mitch Payton to wade through the overseas talent pool in
preparation for the 2015 racing season after successive years without claiming a Supercross title.
This marked the beginning of Arnaud Tonus’ transition from Pro Circuit’s European counterpart to the American stage. During his time
in Europe, Tonus rode wheel-to-wheel with Jeffrey Herlings in the MX2 division and took a couple of wins. He showed the raw speed to be competitive outdoors as well as the finesse to put together a competitive Supercross season. Unfortunately, his time spent racing in the U.S. has been badly marred by injury. Tonus suffered a wrist injury in the off-season before his debut, but he wasn’t deterred by the setback as he found himself as the 2nd fastest qualifier in the opening round of the 250 east series in Arlington. An illness kept him out
of most of the 2015 season, only racing three Supercross races as well as one outdoor race at Washougal (where he finished the first moto in 3rd.) His return to racing in 2016 has been a series of ups and downs that is completely encapsulated by his performance at
the Detroit SX. Tonus took the holeshot in the main event and put in some solid laps ahead of the eventual winner Malcolm Stewart, but shortly after surrendering the position he took a massive digger in the whoops and dislocated his shoulder. He’s hoping to recover in time to put together a full Motocross season in which he’ll be fighting for a contract for the 2017 season.
words/LAKEKILPATRICK
102 GRITMOTO • APRIL.25.16