Clement Desalle (Rockstar-Teka-Suzuki – winner): “I certainly can't complain about my day. They did a nice job on the circuit with a few small things and the grip was also very good. I had a good time. The first series went very smoothly indeed, but I never had to take any risks. In the second heat I tried to get back after Ramon passed me, but he was here very quickly today. But if you win and you can go home without crashes, you can always call it a successful race!”
Steve Ramon (Rockstar-Teka-Suzuki – second overall): “It went well today. In the first series it was difficult to go around smoothly. I was behind Tanel (Leok) for a long time and I saw that it would be difficult to pass him, so I just rode for third place. The second series went well. I had good lines and both me and Clément were very strong. I knew a part of the circuit where I was faster and I attacked there. Then I continued for a while.
The driving itself goes well. It's just a shame that I still can't train with the motorcycle due to my ongoing arm injury (note: tendonitis in the right arm). This week I'm going to take it easy again. Hopefully I can start my motorcycle training again in two weeks.”
Ramon was unstoppable in the second moto.
Tanel Leok (LS Motors-Honda – third overall): “Man, it was hot today! It really bothered me in the second moto. To be honest, I wasn't well prepared for these temperatures. I hadn't eaten and only drank water my tank was completely empty at the end of the day. Still, I'm quite satisfied with the driving itself. Things went well in both the qualifying race and the first heat. It's a pity that I fell in the first heat because I had the feeling that I definitely still had a chance to get it. In the championship I did a reasonable job as I took back points in second place. So everything remains possible!”
David Guarneri (LS Motors-Honda – fourth overall): “It wasn't my day. Actually, I never found my rhythm and the lines I would have liked today. It wasn't bad, but it could certainly be better. The first series was my best of the day. I left in fourth and came in fourth. I was definitely looking forward to it for the second heat. It had just been sprayed and I'm fine with looking for grip. When I was third I had a stupid fall and broke the roll-off. I had to throw away my glasses but they had become so dusty that I had a burning sensation in my eyes and I could barely drive without them!”
Jonathan Barragan (Kawasaki Racing Team – fifth overall): “This certainly wasn't bad for a first match! Especially because I didn't come here to get a result or get involved in the championship. This was purely a race with competitive rhythm in mind. In the second heat I was able to hang on to Leok for a long time. My speed is the same as that of the GP toppers, which certainly gives confidence. Now I have to work even harder. I have currently been back on the bike for about three weeks, but I still need time.”
Spanish bull Barragan did not come to be tourists in sunny Tongeren.
Kevin Strijbos (Beursfoon-Suzuki – sixth overall): “The first series was not good. I had sore arms just like during the qualifying series. Then after the first heat we measured the rear suspension, which showed that it was far too deep. I couldn't submit anywhere properly and I immediately had swollen arms. Then we readjusted the suspension. In the second series I missed my start, but the riding went a lot better. The engine finally did what I wanted again, it's a pity that that didn't work in the first race. In general I was satisfied with that second match. The improvements to the course have worked out well. You just had to pay attention after they had sprayed because it would move. But at least it was much better this way.”
Manuel Priem (Aprilia Racing – seventh overall): “I am satisfied. The pace is starting to come back nicely. In the first series I came eighth, in the second I fell twice. To come back to seventh place is certainly positive. Due to the heat, I was a bit tired after the first heat, but I was able to keep going in the second heat until the end. My lap times were also more than decent. As long as I can maintain that upward trend, I'm good. Between races I drank a lot and stayed in the shade. The heat makes your breathing a bit more difficult. In the first moto I rode to Barragan and Strijbos and then I crashed. That's when I literally ran into the guy with the hammer because of the heat!”
Jeremy Van Horebeek (CLS-Kawasaki – thirteenth overall): “My day was good. It's a pity that I fell in the second race and that I couldn't finish. I jumped down and then I slid into the mud from the front. I did enjoy driving. I had the fourth fastest time in the morning, second in the qualifying race and fifth in the first heat, which is certainly not bad. I hadn't ridden the 450 since Kester. The adjustment itself goes smoothly, but next time I will have to ensure that the suspension is adjusted to the weight because we took the factory suspension from my 250 and that is just a bit too soft. In principle, I will also ride the other MX Pro races on the MX1 bike, but I still have doubts about the Keiheuvel.”
De Reuver (#141) on his way to the holeshot in heat two.
Marc De Reuver (Beursfoon-Suzuki): “Well, the result is zero again! But it went quite well. I always rode five in the first moto, I caught up to Guarneri and I really enjoyed it again. It was a bit dusty, I jump and I just land on a stone. There I went again. In the second moto I just took the holeshot! Desalle passed by and I could follow him well. I really wanted to stay there, but they had sprayed upstairs, so I hit the gas too early and made a high sider. The front brake cable was stuck between my wheel and I couldn't go any further. Still, I have a very good feeling about this. I've seen shirts that I haven't seen in a whole year. Only if I had a lap on my pants. So in terms of speed it was okay.”
Photos credit: CDS
