Steve Ramon finished fourth overall at a cloudy but bright Gemert circuit for the opening round of the 2007 MX1 Dutch Championship yesterday after taking second and fifth places. The 27 year old steering the 2007-spec RM-Z450 chased German Max Nagl in the first moto of a race programme that occurred on a thick and rutted sandy terrain that had been coated by morning rain showers.
"Nagl took the holeshot but I had also started well and was inside the top four," said Ramon, who was using the meeting as preparation and will not contest the full series. "He got away quite quickly so that by the time I was into second the gap was pretty big. I pushed hard to make some time but it was difficult out there because there were so many ruts and the sand was boggy in places."
Ramon led for the initial stages of the second moto ahead of a charging - and eventual winner - Marc de Reuver. The Dutchman's speed was a stretch too far for the former World Champion so he preserved second position only to slip back to fifth after his front wheel lost traction on the approach to a jump and he crashed at relatively slow speed. Needing some time to restart the bike Ramon lost touch with the leaders and circulated for a top five placing.
"Marc was just too fast for me so I went for second place and then made a small crash coming up to a jump," he reflected. "The front wheel just slipped away and a few riders went past as I had to restart the bike."
"Overall it was not a bad meeting. My riding was ok and better than it was in Hawkstone where I was sick. The track was pretty heavy and I am pleased with my two good starts; the day was good preparation for Valkenswaard and the first GP."
Ramon will now continue his preparation in the sand this week before heading to Mons and the first round of the Belgian Championship. The Belgian goes into his last meeting before the FIM Grand Prix series starts in Holland on April 1st as defending number one.
"I am looking forward to Mons," he said. "I definitely intend to win the Championship again this year. Beforehand we will be riding in the sand again this week and we will try some more settings on the 2007 Suzuki. We made tests last week in France and have the bike ready for hard surfaces so this will benefit us when we arrive to Spain for round two of the World Championship."
Hawkstone Park International winner Kevin Strijbos was unable to compete in Gemert after undergoing minor knee surgery last week. The Belgian was told that he would need several days rest before starting to ride again, although he is expected to return and give the team a full-strength line-up in Mons.
MX1 Moto1: 1 Maxi Nagl (KTM),
2 Steve Ramon (Suzuki),
3 Marc de Reuver (Yamaha),
4 Josh Coppins (Yamaha),
5 Tanel Leok (Kawasaki).
MX1 Moto2: 1 Marc de Reuver (Yamaha),
2 Tanel Leok (Kawasaki),
3 Maxi Nagl (KTM),
4 Marvin van Daele (Honda),
5 Steve Ramon (Suzuki).
MX1 Standings (after 1 round): 1 Marc de Reuver 91,
2 Maxi Nagl 91,
3 Tanel Leok 81,
4 Steve Ramon 81.
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