Team Suzuki’s Steve Ramon finished on the podium again today with third place at a warm and cloudy Namur circuit for his home Grand Prix. And fifth position for an ailing Kevin Strijbos means that the Flemish duo have consolidated their standings within the top three of the MX1 World Championship.
Thirty thousand spectators lined the course around the Citadelle for the 12th round of fifteen in the 2006 campaign. The circuit was dry, very rough and especially tricky when the sun evaded the clouds as the changes in light between shade and open track made it tricky to spot bumps and tree roots. The fences were packed with eager fans and that unique Namur atmosphere was in full flow as the riders skipped through the narrow woodland sections.
Ramon got out of the gate well and was part of a four-rider breakaway group. The Belgian pushed into second place past Cedric Melotte after three laps and then tried to chase Stefan Everts who was escaping in the first leg of his Championship destiny. After spending most of the time as runner-up, Ramon was caught by Josh Coppins and demoted to third.
Strijbos, with an injury to his ribs, underwent treatment as well as physio in the morning before gingerly attempting warm-up. In the first moto he started poorly in the middle of the pack and pushed to the maximum to obtain a brave eighth position before the flag.
After lunch and Suzuki rider Marc Van Den Brink had become the first Veteran World Champion with a double moto win, both works RM-Z450s leapt out of the gate to cut a path through the 2400m course in the top five. Ramon was again proactive but had to play a lonely role behind Coppins and Everts. The latter would win his tenth title with a straight 12th GP success. A better start for Strijbos made his job slightly easier and the 20 year old found the track a less tiring prospect during Moto 2. His fourth position came after some excellent work and helped towards a generous points haul.
The Suzuki pair still hold second and third in the World Championship standings with now just 150 points left to win in the three remaining events. Strijbos is second to Everts and 16 ahead of Ramon, while Ken De Dycker is now 36 points adrift in fourth.
The team can now enjoy something of a summer break from Grand Prix racing. The 13th round of the World Championship will take place in three weeks time when the series visits Northern Ireland and the sandy Desertmartin circuit on August 26th/ 27th.
Steve Ramon:“I started well in the first race and in the beginning I could follow Stefan through the first laps but then his speed was a little bit too fast for me. I had to slow it down and unfortunately that invited Josh to catch me. Leok shoved inside at the start of the next moto so I pushed really hard to come to the front. I got up to third and was keeping with Josh and Stefan but then I made a few little mistakes that separated me. My riding was not going how I wanted today but third place was ok and good for the Championship.”
Kevin Strijbos:“In the first moto my start was good but people got past me in the first corners. I focussed on riding my own race because I could not breathe so well. I could not push as I wanted so I just kept my speed. In the second heat I was right up there but did not attempt the first jump as I hesitated in choosing a rut. Steve, Cedric and Leok went through there but I was feeling good, certainly not as sore as the first race. I knew it was the last moto so I had to give everything and fourth was ok considering the injury. I will go for an X-Ray tomorrow to see what the damage is.”
MX1 Moto:1 Stefan EVERTS (BEL), YAMAHA 43:13.152,
2 Joshua COPPINS (NZL), HONDA 43:24.561,
3 Steve RAMON (BEL), SUZUKI 43:27.817,
4 Cedric MELOTTE (BEL), YAMAHA 43:30.132,
5 Ken DE DYCKER (BEL), HONDA 43:32.238,
6 Gordon CROCKARD (GBR), HONDA 43:47.267,
7 Pascal LEURET (FRA), HONDA 44:07.271,
8 Kevin STRIJBOS (BEL), SUZUKI 44:21.792,
9 Javier GARCIA VICO (SPA), HONDA 44:26.353,
10 Wyatt AVIS (RSA), KTM 44:37.677.
MX1 Moto2: 1 Stefan EVERTS (BEL) YAMAHA 41:10.064,
2 Joshua COPPINS (NZL) HONDA 41:28.037,
3 Steve RAMON (BEL) SUZUKI 41:38.548,
4 Kevin STRIJBOS (BEL) SUZUKI 41:56.507,
5 Cedric MELOTTE (BEL) YAMAHA 42:02.973,
6 James NOBLE (GBR) HONDA 42:07.511,
7 Pascal LEURET (FRA) HONDA 42:12.457,
8 Manuel PRIEM (BEL) YAMAHA 42:24.522,
9 Javier GARCIA VICO (SPA) HONDA 42:33.778,
10 Wyatt AVIS (RSA) KTM 42:37.356
MX1 Overall Classification: 1 Stefan EVERTS (BEL), YAMAHA 50,
2 Joshua COPPINS (NZL), HONDA 44,
3 Steve RAMON (BEL), SUZUKI 40,
4 Cedric MELOTTE (BEL), YAMAHA 34,
5 Kevin STRIJBOS (BEL), SUZUKI 31,
6 Pascal LEURET (FRA), HONDA 28,
7 James NOBLE (GBR), HONDA 25,
8 Javier GARCIA VICO (SPA), HONDA 24,
9 Wyatt AVIS (RSA), KTM 22,
10 Manuel PRIEM (BEL), YAMAHA 21.
MX1 World Championship Standings (after 12 of 15 rounds): 1 Stefan EVERTS (BEL), 592,
2 Kevin STRIJBOS (BEL), 424,
3 Steve RAMON (BEL), 408,
4 Ken DE DYCKER (BEL), 371,
5 Tanel LEOK (EST), 365,
6 J.BARRAGAN (SPA), 273,
7 Pascal LEURET (FRA), 230,
8 Cedric MELOTTE (BEL), 224,
9 Manuel PRIEM (BEL), 210,
10 Joshua COPPINS (NZL), 202.
Manufacturer’s Standings:1 Yamaha 592,
2 Suzuki 489,
3 Honda 447,
4 Kawasaki 369,
5 KTM 351
Related Linkswww.suzuki-racing.com
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