Mer than 370 racing 'Santa Clauses', a sloppy 3.000 spectators and no injuries. The annual VMD Christmas Motocross in Stekene was a resounding success across the board. Despite the winter temperatures, a strong field of participants was at the start of the Inters Open.
Eric who? Foguenne wins
It was a great surprise when MC Mikkola star Eric Foguenne not only got off to a flying start, but also eventually won the first series! Nice work by the 18-year-old Foguenne, who finished fifth in the BK MX2 this year. In Stekene, however, Foguenne was working on a Honda 450. The South African Terreblanche - who competed in the German SX Championship this winter - finished easily in second place. Torpjurn 'Torpie' Van Hoe finished third and first in MX2 ahead of Kevin Fors and Nick Triest.
Start Inters Open, lots of green at the front. Who knows, there was a secret Kawa holeshot bounty?
Triest in particular had food for thought during the break because the Shineray pilot was too eager. The East Flemish rider crashed no fewer than three times in the opening heat. New Sturm-Kawasaki rider Kevin Wouts also crashed at the end and lost his chances for a second consecutive overall victory in Stekene.
Series 2: Very strong Triest
In the second series, Foguenne took the lead again after half a lap. Terreblanche took the holeshot, but in no time Foguenne had fought his way into the lead! Just like in the first series, Triest messed up his start, but the Belgian MX2 champion kept his cool and sprinted to second place. De Belder, Wouts, Fors and Gijsel were close to third place. Due to a fall by Foguenne, Triest was ultimately given the victory. In extremis, the young Liège native even saw the day's victory slip through his fingers. Because a second crash in the pit knocked Foguenne back to fifth place. Even without taking any risks, Terreblanche was given the overall victory. Tom De beller finished fourth, just like in the first heat. Triest also won the overall standings at the Inters MX2.
Terreblanche 'surged' to victory in the final phase
Shannon Terreblanche (Sturm-Kawasaki) is the first South African to win the Christmas Cross. This makes 'Shanter' not the first pilot outside the Benelux to win. The Swede Frederik Hedman (probably used to the cold!) won in 1996. It should be noted that at the Nationals MX2 David, Eric Foguenne's younger brother, managed to finish the job. David won his class ahead of Dutchman Rob Konings.
Inters open – Series 1
1. Eric Foguenne; 2. Shannon Terreblanche; 3. Roy Gijsel; 4.Tom De Belder; 5. Frederik Daenen; 6. Jeffrey Meurs; 7. Kevin Wouts; 8. Remco Doornwaard; 9. Dave Van Dun; 10. Junior Decouter
Inters open – Series 2
1. Shannon Terreblanche; 2. Kevin Wouts; 3.Eric Foguenne; 4.Tom De Belder; 5. Jeffrey Meurs; 6. Remco Doornwaard; 7. Frederik Daenen; 8. Tom Lahousse; 9. Daniel Hutchinson; 10. Henk Goderis
TOTAL INTERS OPEN (MX1/MX3)
1. Terreblanche, 2. Foguenne, 3. De Belder, 4. Wouts, 5. Meurs, 6. Daenen, 7. Doornwaard, 8. Lahousse, 9. Hutchinson, 10 Gijsel
Final winner in MX2: Nick Triest
Inters MX2 – Series 1 1. Torpjurn Van Hoe; 2. Kevin Fors; 3. Nick Triest; 4. Ronny Van Hove; 5. Jens Getteman; 6. Arnaud Wauters; 7. Jan Crommelinck; 8. Nick Janssens; 9. Stephane Colinet; 10. Axel Van De Sande
Inters MX2 – Series 2 1. Nick Triest; 2. Kevin Fors; 3. Ronny Van Hove; 4. Torpjurn Van Hoe; 5. Jens Getteman; 6. Arnaud Wauters; 7. Axel Van De Sande; 8. Nick Janssens; 9. Jef Janssens: 10. Jan Crommelinck
TOTALLY INTERS MX2 1. Sad; 2. Strong; 3. Van Hoe; 4. Van Hove; 5. Getteman; 6. Wauters; 7. Janssens; 8. Van De Sande; 9. Crommelinck; 10. Colinet
Photos credit: CDS
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