Team Suzuki’s Steve Ramon will have third pick in the start gate for the Grand Prix of Belgium after clocking a time just over a second away from pole position at a surprisingly sunny Namur today. Team mate Kevin Strijbos is struggling to be fit after a crash in second practice left the Belgian nursing an injured ribcage.
The first day of action at the Citadelle has been hit by cloudy and bright conditions that kept the track dry and rough under the foliage and canopy of the woodlands around the park and historic fortress.
Strijbos set a decent pace in the first free practice session and was first, three-tenths-of-a-second quicker than Ken de Dycker using the same altered engine settings on the RM-Z450 as the Czech GP last week. The Belgian was set back however by a fall in the next period after lunch which left him with a painful chest and damaged ribs; the extent of the injury is not completely clear as the 20 year old strapped his left side and contested Timed Practice, actually managing to set the sixth best time. Depending on how he feels during the night and tomorrow during warm-up, Strijbos will determine if he can attempt both motos.
Ramon improved throughout practice. A soggy initial outing saw the former World Champion in seventh but then he dropped his lap time by four seconds rising to third by the second period. Timed Practice saw the Belgian comfortable on home turf and continually part of the leading group.
The weather forecast is described as positive for Sunday’s Grand Prix action. Current series leader Stefan Everts needs only one point more than Strijbos to secure his 10th title tomorrow.
Steve Ramon:“I feel good out there. The first practice was a bit wet and slippery but I felt better in the second. There was actually more than one line in places! I could make a good lap in Timed Practice and to be in the top five is good enough for the gate. I enjoyed the track today but it is getting rough and I think it will be a tough race tomorrow; the start will be so important.”
Kevin Strijbos:“I only just saw Melotte touring in the middle of the track and coming round to the jump I had to run wide to avoid him and crashed. My ribs really hurt and I have been talking with the medical staff here at the track as well as my trainer. I am icing my side right now and will see how it feels in the morning.”
MX1 Timed Practice: 1 Stefan Everts (Bel) Yamaha 2:31.483,
2 Tanel Leok (Est) Kawasaki 2:31.721,
3 Steve Ramon (Bel) Suzuki 2:32.777,
4 Joshua Coppins (Nzl) Honda 2:32.861,
5 Ken De Dycker (Bel) Honda 2:32.898,
6 Kevin Strijbos (Bel) Suzuki 2:33.927,
7 Gordon Crockard (Gbr) Honda 2:34.116,
8 Marko Kovalainen (Fin) Honda 2:34.714,
9 Cedric Melotte (Bel) Yamaha 2:35.109,
10 Pascal Leuret (Fra) Honda 2:35.112.
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