Zou can identify clear favourites in the MX1 and MX2 classes this coming weekend, but it is so unclear in the MX3! The riders are considerably less well-known and you rarely or never see them at the start of the international competitions in the pre-season. That makes it difficult to get a picture of the mutual power relations. Austrian Matthias Walkner is defending his world title that he won last year. In contrast to world champions Jeffrey Herlings and Tony Cairoli, who are sticking to their traditional starting numbers 84 and 222, Walkner did choose to start with number 1. People who could make it difficult for Walkner are experienced riders such as Belgian Kevin Wouts (last year's winner in Valkenswaard), Slovenian Klemen Gercar (fourth in the 2012 World Championship) and Czech Martin Michek (second in the 2012 World Championship). But perhaps there is someone among the lesser-known participants who will make an appearance at the Eurocircuit. That's what makes this class so unpredictable.
There is someone among the Dutch who may be able to reach the podium of honor, or at least come close to it. That's Mike Kras. The Suzuki rider has a lot of international experience in several classes and he can benefit from that. The chances of the other Dutch people may be estimated as lower. In addition to Kras, Christian Hofstede, William Saris, Michael Hool, Eric Leijtens and Mike te Beest will start from the Dutch side.
The MX3 will train on Sunday, March 31 and will compete in the qualifying race at 17.50:1 p.m. Both heats will be held on Monday, April 11.10, the first at 17.10:XNUMX a.m., the second at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.
Photos: Gerwin Van Rosmalen