Published On: 22 februari 2014

Wa beautiful day it was today. Days like today keep motocross enthusiasts like you and me going. A beautiful sun, clear sky, no wind and a perfectly organized RES Axel club motocross. What more does a person need, nothing right!? The hard work of the RES Axel volunteers was also rewarded. There were a lot of pilots at the start today, no less than 170 riders divided over the 6 classes.

We'll start with the youngest of them all, the 65 tsp class. Here we saw how Eloy van Rijkevorsel was the fastest sand hare today. He was able to win the first series with a minute lead over Jonah Pijnen and Jens Walvoord. In the second series, however, Eloy had bad luck and Jonah Pijnen took full advantage of this. This is how he also took the day's victory. Jens Walvoord was third on the podium with two third places.

Clean people at the start at the 85 tsp's. This is how team Grizzly rider Jarni Kooij showed his speed, and speed he had. Jarni managed to win both heats, in the first heat with an 8 second lead and in the second heat there was half a minute between him and Devin Sluis. Devin was also second in the daily rankings, as he finished second each time. Brian van der Kleij was third on the podium with two third places. A recently healed Ian de Sweemer still felt weak and fell just off the podium.

Jarni Kooij, winner 85cc. Photo: VePix.be

If we had paid (RES Axel club crosses are free for spectators) then the 125 tsp class gave us value for our money. Nick Horsten, Jordan-Lee van Maaren, Carsten Goedegebure, Tom Cortvriendt... all names worthy of ONK. This series produced fireworks! From start to finish it was a fight for every meter. Nick Horsten was ultimately the best at this. Not only did he win both series, but he also won the last series by going over Lars Greek Spoor in the very last lap! I have to be honest and say that my first reaction was, “Lars who?”. But this boy goes fast, very fast. He is 15 years old, just fresh from the 85cc and is coached by Toine van Dijk. So it is really clear that we will hear this name more often. So remember  him well! Jordan-Lee van Maaren was able to take third place on the podium thanks to his regularity. Carsten Goedegebure and Tom Cortvriendt finished 4the in 5. e just next to the stage. In the leisure it was Guido Boone who took home the victory.

Then to a class where things are a little more relaxed, or that's the image people have when they speak Veteran to belong. But nothing could be further from the truth, these people over 40 are still going strong. 66-year-old Franky van Eecke recently showed this in the TV program 'beat da bombaz' when he doubled Tania Dexters once in 3 rounds. Today Franky turned 11e. Today's victory went to Eric Mercie. He was second in the first heat and in the last heat he was fastest. Bart Magnus and Maikel van de Goor finished second and third in the day's results. Only ruler Patrick Piessens had a hard time in the second series. After his victory in the first moto, he had to fight back to the front after a crash at the start. However, this did not go without a hitch. The Kawasaki rider hit the ground a few more times, making him only 8e was flagged off. Front start specialist Peter Hemelaer completes the top 5.

Towards MX2 in that case. Here we saw a great duel between Kevin Spruijt, Yannick Heylen and Gian Scheele. These three gentlemen did not give each other an inch. Yannick Heylen managed to win the second series by passing Kevin Spruijt in the very last lap. However, this did not give him a single day of victory. Because in the first series he came third after Kevin and Gian. So there is some calculation involved for the stage. Kevin Spruijt won the daily classification ahead of Yannick Heylen and Gian Scheele. Michael Bruyninkx always had a poor start and unfortunately was unable to participate in this match, although he did have the speed for it. He fell just off the podium. Jordy van 't Hof was the winner in the leisure time.

Kevin Spruijt, winner MX2. Photo: VePix.be

Last but not least, the MX1 class. Occasional GP rider, German championship pilot and MxMag columnist Kevin Wouts came to Axel to gain some competition rhythm. And he has rhythm. The Pfeil Kawasaki rider won both motos, but this did not happen automatically. For example, he had to deal with Jordi van de Wiele in both heats. That new MX1 pilot showed that he was already well accustomed to his bike with holeshots in both series. But despite Jordi's holeshots, there was no limit to Kevin Wouts. Behind Wouts, there was a fight for second place between Stefan Hage and Jeffrey van Kempen. However, Stefan came out on top. In the second series Jeffrey van Kempen managed to finish second, Jordi van de Wiele came third. Stefan Hage had to give up early in this series. Kevin van Houdt was the best of the day in the leisure event.

So, this was it. The volunteers of RES Axel can be proud of their work! And you know what's best of all? Training is still possible tomorrow (Sunday 23/02)! The next RES Axel club cross is March 8, see you then! A photo gallery from today will follow!

Text & photos: Frederik “VePix.be” Van Eeckhoven