The Honda WorldSSP Team has come out empty handed from the French Round of the FIM Supersport World Championship, as PJ Jacobsen crashed out at turn 7 during the opening lap of the WorldSSP race at Magny-Cours. Despite the efforts, the 23-year-old American could not jump back on board his Honda CBR600RR and, therefore, was forced to an early retirement.

After qualifying in second place yesterday, Jacobsen was fifth at the end of this morning’s warm up, showing some signs of improvement on dry track. As the race got underway, Jacobsen got an OK start from the front although, before the crash occurred at the Nürburgring, he had already lost some positions.

The penultimate round of the 2016 FIM Supersport World Championship takes place at Spain’s ‘Circuito de Jerez’ in a fortnight’s time.

Patrick Jacobsen 2 DNF"I knew it would be difficult today in the dry, but I wasn’t expecting this outcome at all. Losing the front on the opening lap is never good and that’s the last thing we needed. We need to figure out what the problem is with our performance in the dry because I haven’t been anywhere near where I’d like to be in these conditions. I can’t wait to be back at Jerez, which along with Misano is my favourite race track on the calendar."- Honda WorldSSP

Pieter Breddels, Technical Manager"There’s really not much to say, because our race was a really short one. PJ didn’t have the best of starts but more importantly, he got boxed in a little bit and ended up at the back of a four-way pack. Then, he simply lost the bike at the chicane while changing direction. An unfortunate end to a difficult weekend, but we need to keep our heads down and work hard for the next race."- Honda WorldSSP