The 11th round of 15 in the 2007 FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship will see Team Suzuki travelling to the Loket circuit for the Grand Prix of Czech Republic this weekend. The meeting is the first of five to occur within six weeks as the current campaign reaches a conclusion on September 2nd in Holland.
Both Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon enjoyed a break from international and national commitments last weekend but the two Belgians competed in the Westerlo International meeting yesterday evening against a host of Grand Prix peers. Strijbos won both motos to claim overall victory on the RM-Z450 while Ramon was able to secure third overall.
Ramon is second in the World Championship as Loket prepares itself for the 2007 edition of the Czech event and the 27 year old missed the podium for the first time in four Grand Prix two weeks ago in Italy.
"The track was really bumpy yesterday, something we have not been so used to recently in the GPs, and Kevin and Ken de Dycker were riding well but I was thinking more about Loket," said the former world champion, who put some hours on the 2008 stock machine during last week. "The track in the Czech Republic is not one of my favourites. I don't mind racing there but for some reason I have never managed a good result. It is a place where getting a good start is vital because there are never that many ruts or bumps. My main aim is to get back on the podium and if I can get the start I know a win will be possible."
For Strijbos, Loket will always carry good memories. The circuit was the site of his maiden Grand Prix victory and that of the RM-Z450 back in 2005. The Belgian recovered from injury problems that had wrecked his 2005 campaign to post the win and is hoping now that history might be able to repeat itself after this season has tailed off in the wake of his left knee problems.
"It was a good race and nice to get back on a good level with the bike after the problems we had in Italy," said the 21 year old after Westerlo and who finished fourth at Loket 12 months ago as well as being runner-up in the second moto. "I've ridden quite well at Loket for the last couple of seasons and we were unlucky to have a bit of a clutch problem last year that stopped us getting on the podium. I know my speed will be good and we'll see what happens."
Loket could be deemed an old fashioned motocross track in the sense of the natural layout, high speed and use of the indentations of the land to provide several jumps. The course is more spectacular through the numerous drops and climbs within the valley setting rather than for the aerial or technical challenges it presents to the riders. The location itself is only a few kilometres from the Spa town and former capital Karlovy Vary that is still a popular tourist attraction and was recently used to film exteriors of the last James Bond film 'Casino Royale'. Pleasant weather conditions are predicted for the weekend with temperatures in the mid-20s and bright skies.
MX1 World Championship Standings (after 10 of 15 rounds)
- Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), 445 points
- Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 338 points
- Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 285 points
- David Philippaerts (ITA, KTM), 278 points
- Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 272 points
- Ken de Dycker (BEL, Honda), 256 points
- Mike Brown (USA, Honda), 255 points
- Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), 250 points
- Tanel Leok (EST, Kawasaki), 240 points
- Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Kawasaki), 218 points
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