Team Suzuki’s Steve Ramon has clocked the second quickest lap-time at a damp, cloudy and breezy Desertmartin circuit for the Grand Prix of Northern Ireland and the 13th round of 15 in the 2006 FIM MX1 World Championship. The Belgian was just 600ths-of-a-second from his first pole position of the season but was denied by Josh Coppins. The sandy terrain became increasingly rough as practice wore on and the layout provided a tough and undulating test by the end of the afternoon.
Ramon and team-mate Kevin Strijbos were third and fourth fastest after the first session. Both reverted to different sprockets and Strijbos also elected for a different Pirelli tyre profile over the sand style.
For the second Free Practice the sunshine broke through for a sustained period of almost an hour and coupled with a stiff breeze helped dry the thin Irish soil considerably. The classification was exactly the same, even down to similar lap-times.
Ramon held pole position for at least half of Timed Practice after an early blitz and looked comfortable at a high pace after numerous tests and several domestic events in the sand over the past three weeks. Strijbos, who has only ridden twice since Namur because of a groin injury, was fifth and reasonably confident for the two Grand Prix motos of 35 minutes and two laps duration.
Tomorrow’s weather forecast is grim with cloud and showers predicted.
Steve Ramon:“My riding has been good today and from the first practice I was already among the fastest. I had a good feeling on the bike and with the track. I pushed very hard at the beginning of Timed Practice because it was getting very rough out there. I made a fast lap and then waited to see if anyone could beat it. Unfortunately Josh just got it but I am satisfied with second and I did not want to take any risks. I am confident for tomorrow and it will be very interesting if I can get two good starts.”
Kevin Strijbos:“My leg is more or less ok. I could only practice twice before this GP. My riding is ok but the track is pretty difficult; it is rough and slippery in places. At the beginning of Timed Practice I was making a lot of mistakes but then I found two good laps and I think I can make that speed for forty minutes. The left corners are awkward and I am trying to keep my foot on the peg as much as I can.”
MX1 Timed Practice Classification: 1 Joshua Coppins (Nzl), Honda 1:53.763,
2 Steve Ramon (Bel), Suzuki 1:53.828,
3 Ken De Dycker (Bel), Honda 1:53.944,
4 Stefan Everts (Bel), Yamaha 1:54.126,
5 Kevin Strijbos (Bel), Suzuki 1:55.281,
6 Gordon Crockard (Gbr), Honda 1:55.929,
7 Kornel Nemeth (Hun), Suzuki 1:55.946,
8 Tanel Leok (Est), Kawasaki 1:56.551,
9 Antti Pyrhonen (Fin), Tm 1:56.969,
10 Marko Kovalainen (Fin), Honda 1:57.189.
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