Team Suzuki riders Steve Ramon and Kevin Strijbos registered lap-times on their works RM-Z 450s to place within the top four at a sunny Eurocircuit in Valkenswaard, Holland for the Grand Prix of Benelux and the first round of 15 in the 2007 FIM MX1 World Championship. The sandy course just south of Eindhoven proved a little tricky throughout the day as the terrain shifted from flat to rough and rutted with some sections slower and deeper than others.
Ramon was second fastest in the 30 minute Timed Practice session and half a second away from the pole time set by Ken de Dycker. The Belgian swapped his rear tyre during practice (opting for Pirelli's reliable sand tread after experimenting with a prototype model) and tried various sprockets but was more concerned about his rhythm through the Dutch powder. "I found it difficult to find my lines today," he said. "It got better during the day but I still not that satisfied as I was making small mistakes when I wanted a fast lap and couldn't get smooth. Changing the rear tyre helped and I could finally take second in Timed Practice which is fine for the start gate."
Strijbos - who was riding with a weakened left knee after a minor operation almost a fortnight ago - switched engines after free practice and used the same settings that delivered victory in the sand of Hawkstone Park for Timed Practice to gain fourth pick in the gate. The 2006 runner-up is optimistic of a decent result tomorrow despite being less than 100% fit. "I'm happy today," he remarked. "Once we changed the engines it was much better for me and my riding was good considering that I had not been on the bike for two weeks. The track was ok for me and I made my fastest lap without needing to take any risks. I am looking forward to tomorrow but I will go at my own pace and aim to be strong right the way through the moto."
MX1 Timed Practice: 1 Ken De Dycker (BEL), Honda 2:00.575,
2 Steve Ramon (BEL), Suzuki 2:01.076,
3 Josh Coppins (NZL), Yamaha 2:01.627,
4 Kevin Strijbos (BEL), Suzuki 2:01.927,
5 Marc De Reuver (NED), Yamaha 2:01.959,
6 Tanel Leok (EST), Kawasaki 2:02.082,
7 Jonathan Barragan (SPA) KTM 2:02.507,
8 Kornel Nemeth (HUN) Suzuki 2:02.665,
9 Sebastien Pourcel (FRA) Kawasaki 2:03.479,
10 Aigar Leok (EST) Yamaha 2:03.481.
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