IThe ONK MX1/MX2 will start in Mill on Sunday. In addition to the big boys, the slightly smaller boys on 85 cc motorcycles and the girls will also be at the start in the North Brabant village. It is clear that the ONK is still very important for Dutch riders. Jeffrey Herlings will be the top favorite for the Open Dutch MX2 title behind the starting gate on Sunday. Last year, the 15-year-old talent from Elsendorp surprised friend and foe with his astronomical speed in the sandpits of the ONK. If Herlings had not dropped out in the first series of the race in Emmen, he might have won the race. This year, the Red Bull KTM rider is looking for sporting revenge and will compete with two-time Open Dutch Champion Joël Roelants. Teammate Dennis Verbruggen is also in good shape. Crusty surprised friend and foe in Valence and in Hawkstone Park he came second after Ken Roczen.
Baptism of fire for ONK debutants
Mill will have to see to what extent boys like Ceriel Klein Kromhof, Glenn Coldenhoff and Herjan Brakke have evolved compared to last year. Donny Bastemeijer and Nick Triest should also have taken a step forward last winter. When we look over Mill's list of participants, we have the impression that there are more MX2 Belgians on it than ever before. In addition to the drivers mentioned above, the majority of the Belgians consist of Inter rookies. Some of them were even on an 85 cc motorcycle last year. Judging from what we saw last Sunday at the Keiheuvel, Jeffrey De Wulf could make a strong turn. Purists will now probably come up with the argument that it was 'just' an amateur cross and that the real competition at that time was in Hawkstone Park. But in our opinion, it is better to be on the podium in a strong Open amateur cross, than to end up anonymously in the belly of an International MX2 peloton.
Yamaha invasion with Paulin, Philippaerts and De Dycker
However, the biggest name in the MX2 class in Mill is not Dutch or Belgian, but a Frenchman. The regular ONK participants are sleeping on both ears, Gautier Paulin just comes to measure his fitness in the dark sand. In his wake, three more Frenchmen in Belgian service follow. Axel Alletru and Jordi Tixier at Negaan-JM Racing and Steven Lenoir at Vamo Racing-Suzuki.
We are curious whether Paulin can play a significant role in Mill.
Marc De Reuver returns to the MX1 full-time back to the ONK. De Reuver starts as favorite in the ONK MX1. That this season could be crunch time for De Reuver is evident from an interview he gave Eindhovens Dagblad gave. Moreover, the Lommelaar has added a great teammate since last weekend. Kevin Strijbos makes his debut at the Beursfoon Suzuki in Mill. This also means that the ONK MX1 will be a priority for Strijbos. In Mill the Purse phone boys already presented with a few strong opponents. Ken De Dycker and David Philippaerts come to test run their Monster Energy Yamahas in the sand. However, both Yamaha riders will only make a one-off appearance in the ONK. However, that does not mean that De Reuver and Strijbos will simply have free rein. Boys like Bas Verhoeven, Mike Kras, Patrick Roos, Rob Van Vijfeijken, Marvin Van Daele and Kristof Salaets are also aiming for podium places. In addition, there are many outsiders who have already proven their worth in the ONK in the past. Definitely worth it!
Practical
The entrance is 20 euros
Address Circuit Park De Kuilen: Fazanteweg 15, 5453 JM LANGEBOOM
Timetable ONK Mill
Training between 9am and 11am
09:00: Ladies (10 min Free training + 20 min time training)
09h35: 85cc (10 min Free training + 20 min time training
10h10: MX2 (10min Free training + 20min timed training)
10h45: MX1 (10min Free training + 20min timed training)
11:20 am: Break
12h00: Women (20min + 2 Laps)
12h30: 85cc (20min + 2 Laps)
13:00 PM: MX2 (30min + 2 Laps)
13:40 PM: MX1 (30min + 2 Laps)
14:15 am: Break
14h45: Women (20min + 2 Laps)
15:15 PM: 85cc (20min + 2 Laps)
15:45 PM: MX2 (30min + 2 Laps)
16:25 PM: MX1 (30min + 2 Laps)
17:00 PM: Awards ceremony
Photos credit: JP Acevedo, Offroad Pro Racing
