OOn 28 and 29 May, the international off-road elite will descend on Kester for a unique competition programme. For the first time since the double GP in 2000, AMC Dworp will be organising the event over two days this year. In addition to all the usual classes in the BK Motorcross-Lotto Trophy, there will also be heats for the BK Sidecar and the BK Quads. The entry lists for the Inters Open and the MX2 you can find here. Our preview for the sidecars you read here.
BK MX1: who will succeed Steve Ramon?
Clément Desalle, leader in the MX1 World Championship, is also the man to beat in Kester.
Clément Desalle, the Belgian champion of 2009, comes to Kester as BC leader. The talented Rockstar-Suzuki pilot has performed at top level in the GPs in recent weeks, with a win in the US and a podium finish in Brazil. Desalle was also on the highest podium in Beervelde, and he will certainly want to continue that line in Pajottenland. His closest pursuer is Ken Dycker (LS Honda Racing) on 6 points. Although De Dycker shone during the opener of the Lotto Trophy in Mons, things did not go the way he wanted. However, the past GP of Brazil was a step in the right direction. At an atypical 9de place in the standings we find the reigning Belgian champion Steve Ramon (Rockstar Suzuki). The AMC Dworp club pilot broke the ban last year with his first victory at the Kesterheide. Ramon had to drop Beervelde due to health problems, but in the meantime 'The Bomb' has already shown that he has fully recovered.
Suzuki colleague Kevin Strijbos (Delta MX Racing Team) is growing week by week and seems not far away from its best form. In the World Cup standings, the 25-year-old from Wuustwezel is currently the second Belgian, after Desalle, at 9de place. In 2010, 'the Kid' was already on the podium in Kester, but a victory in Flanders' most beautiful event is still missing... For Diga-KTM duo Jeremy Delince, 5de in the standings of the Belgian Championship, and club pilot Nick Trieste the upcoming BC competition is the ideal test of strength in the run-up to the French GP at the beginning of June. In one of the most important competitions on the national calendar David Cools, Marvin Van Daele -this weekend winner of the BMB National in Rognée- Maarten Govaert en Manuel Avg give it the all it takes.
In addition to a strong Belgian foursome and a whole host of super-motivated Belgian riders, there is also a lot of competition from abroad. After a heavy fall in Indaiatuba, the arrival of David Guarneri (Bud Racing Kwasaki), third in the standings, extremely uncertain. The British winner Jake Nicholls is there again in Kester. His compatriot Shaun Simpson (LS Honda Racing) already showed in Mons and Beervelde that he can certainly play for a podium place. Simpson put the MX1 top riders to the test in Kester last year on a 250cc motorcycle... The entire Yamaha-Van Beers team will also be at the start, led by strongman Marc De Reuver and the young wolves Herjan Brakke en Petar Petrov.
Ben Townley makes the Belgian Championships in Kester even more interesting on Sunday!
As a guest rider, AMC Dworp also had former MX2 world champion and two-time American champion Ben Townley (Monster Energy-Pro Circuit-CLS-Kawasaki). After many injuries, BT is regaining momentum and his impressive performance during the International Motocross of Wuustwezel three weeks ago leaves us hoping for the best. The New Zealander is looking forward to his return to Flanders' most beautiful place and he is certainly a shadow favorite. The enthusiastic Brabant public can also prepare for the arrival of guest drivers Joel Roelants, the Dutch MX2 champion. Roelants drops along with his Negaan-JM Racing teammates Yentel Martens, Jordi Tixier en Pascal Rauchecker off to Kester.
BK MX2: will the true title candidate emerge?
As expected, the title battle in the Radson MX2 Trophy is very open. Dutchman Mark Boot currently leads the championship with 19 points ahead of Kevin Fors. Fors, tipped in advance as the biggest contender for the title, won the race in Beervelde, but had bad luck in Mons. Jens Getteman, third in the standings, was the strongest in Gooik in 2010 and the East Flemish is in good shape. Besides Boot, there is even more Dutch violence because Kras and Meurs also have the speed to compete for victory.
Can Getteman continue the trend of recent weeks in Kester?
Or is it the turn of young dogs such as Wietse Brackman, Jens Poppe, Brent Van Doninck or Damon Graulus?
Credit photos: CDS, Ronnys photo, Sarah Guttierez
