Kawasaki Racing Team's Tanel Leok and Manuel Priem battle it out in their own National Championships in Estonia and Belgium. With a weekend off from the World Motocross Championship Manuel Priem and Tanel Leok each participated in rounds of their own National Championships. For Manuel this meant Kester in Belgium while Tanel travelled further afield to Jaanikese Krossirada in Estonia.
With a super-strong international line-up at Kester, Priem proved his hard work and persistence is really paying off as the super-fit and super-smooth Belgian powered his factory KX450F-SR to a trio of fifth placed finishes in a field that included Josh Coppins, Steve Ramon, Marc De Reuver, Julien Bill, Marc De Reuver and Sven Bruegelmans.
Finishing fifth overall Priem was more than satisfied with his speed and fitness during the day. Thanks to his consistent rides Manuel now jumps to third place in the championship standings.
“I had a good start in the opening heat and I could match the pace of the frontrunners early on," said Manuel. "Just after five laps or so I started suffering arm pump. In the second and third heat I messed up my starts, still I rode hungry and aggressive and managed to come back. In the second race I was boxed in at the start and had to fight back from 20th. In the third I was only 15th after the first lap, I finished fifth in those two races without having to push too deep although it was quite tough because of the heat.”
Meanwhile Tanel Leok was dominating the second round of the MX1 and MX2 Estonian National series at Jaanikese Krossirada. Winning three out of four motos - Tanel won both MX1 battles and finished 2-1 in the MX2 class - Tanel extended his championship lead ahead of cousin Aigar Leok.
