Currently running third and fourth in the FIM MX1 World Motocross Championship Team Teka Suzuki WMX1 riders Steve Ramon and Ken De Dycker enter the ninth round of the series in Uddevalla, Sweden looking to improve on their current rankings.
Reigning MX1 World Champion Steve Ramon climbed to within four points of the championship leader David Philippaerts at least weekend's German GP after a stunning ride in moto one. But before the champ could capitalise on his good form he was involved in a terrible pile up on the first lap of moto two and lost a lot of time making a pit stop to partially repair the damaged factory RM-Z450.
Rampaging through the pack from last position - over two minutes down on the next rider - to 18th in an effort to limit the amount of points lost to his fellow championship contenders, Ramon still lost one place in the series. Now even more motivated than ever to regain the lost points and to stamp his authority on the series, Steve's looking forward to this weekend's race held at the venue where he won a moto last year.
"Uddevalla is not an easy track but I actually really like it," said Ramon. "It's physically tough like all GPs are but after Germany I'm really motivated to go there to try and catch some points up. We'll see what happens; my riding is really good at the moment; I'm feeling strong and fit and I want to win."
In comparison to Ramon's difficult weekend, Ken De Dycker had a relatively easy ride in Germany scoring second overall with a solid 4-2 scorecard after setting the fastest time in the qualification session. The overall winner of the Swedish GP last year with a 1-2 result, De Dycker is more than ready to win at the Swedish venue again in 2008.
"I've won in Sweden before but to me it's a track just like any other and it's there to be raced," he said. "I didn't really expect to win there last year but it's quite often heavy there which makes it technical and that's something I like. I hope to be able to regain the red plate this season. I know it's going to be tough but I'm working hard every week and I know there are some tough technical races coming up that will really suit me."
The weather forecast heading into this weekend's race is for bright sunshine all the way which means the technical Uddevalla circuit should be in prime condition for the world's best off-road racers.
