VFor the opening test of the VLM Inters championship we went to the Deltacrossers in Arendonk. With day winners Cedric Grobben (Inters 500) and Kevin Schellens (Inters 250) we got men on the highest podium who were also in top form the past weeks!
The Deltacrossers presented the riders with a completely redesigned circuit: long, fast sections alternated with long bends and a technical section with some jumps and even a double jump. The many spectators in the party tent were served!
Champion Cedric Grobben was the fastest to dive into the first corner, chased by Betemo tandem Nolan Cordens and Glenn Bielen. Home favorite Dieter Vromans, one of the title candidates in the Inters 250, saw his chances of a good result melt away like snow in the sun due to an early fall.
Between leaders Grobben and Cordens it remained exciting for the many spectators, because the difference was never more than 5 seconds. Bielen remained 3rd ahead of Brent Aerden and Kenny Janssens. Arno Van Mieghem, from the neighbouring municipality of Oud-Turnhout, fought his way to 250th and 5th place with the fastest 6cc'er Kevin Schellens past Kenny Janssens. Greg Smets, who had started poorly, also kept fighting. Consternation in the final lap when Cordens came closer to leader Grobben, metre by metre. It became a real thriller because Cordens eventually finished just 1 second behind.
The exciting final sprint of Nolan Cordens was clearly appreciated by the numerous spectators. A great initiative by the Deltacrossers who gave local spectators free entry.
The party tent and drinks stands were running at full speed.
Grobben Vs. Cordens in the final again
Also in the resumption, glutton Grobben had a great start. The GasGas pilot had guest driver Carlos Hulsen, Bielen and Cordens in his wake. However, passing was a difficult task on the lightning-fast circuit. Hulsen was quickly relegated to P4. In the meantime, Cordens was biting his teeth on teammate Bielen. At the front, Grobben had built up a gap of 6 seconds. Arno Van Mieghem took over fourth place from Kenny Janssens on his way to his best result of the day.
Only three laps before the end Cordens passed Bielen. Nolan went looking for the leader, but ran aground 5 seconds behind the unassailable Grobben. Greg Smets, strongly encouraged by five-time world champion Joël, fell at the start and fought his way to 9th place. Kevin Schellens, who started the season very strongly, is today clearly emerging as a 250cc title candidate or perhaps even title favorite! In the final standings Kevin was ahead of Jens Bogaerts and home rider Dieter Vromans in Arendonk.
Neo-Inter Jaimie Haanen blasted his way to a top-10 overall finish and won the B class with a landslide ahead of Chiel Vanhaeren and Tom Cuyvers. Grobben was joined by Nolan Cordens and Glenn Bielen at the Inters 500. Next week, the VLM riders will get to work in Herenthout.
Inters Arendonk Race 1
1. Cedric Grobben, 2. Nolan Cordens 1.269, 3. Glenn Bielen 28.408, 4. Brent Aerden 48.309, 5. Arno Van Mieghem 1:25.559, 6. Kevin Schellens 1:26.038, 7. Greg Smets 1:32.068, 8. Kenny Janssens 1:36.109, 9. Enzo Aerden 1:37.112, 10. Jamie Haanen 1:58.772, 11. Jens Bogaers 2:01.679, 12. Karel Schepmans 2:05.329, 13. Nick Spaenenburg 2:10.839, 14. Carlo Hulsen 1 lap, 15. Sven Wouters 1 lap, 16. Chiel Vanhaeren 1 lap, 17. Tom Cuyvers 1 lap, 18. Dean Van Clapdorp 1 lap, 19. Raf Belmans 1 lap, 20. Alexander Verbeeck 1 lap, 21. Bart Janssens 1 lap, 22. Jens Steensels 1 lap, 23. Boyd Van Endert 1 lap, 24. Dieter Vroomans 2 laps, 25. Maeron Peeters 2 laps
Inters Arendonk Race 2
1. Cedric Grobben, 2. Nolan Cordens 7.416, 3. Glenn Bielen 14.823, 4. Arno Van Mieghem 1:07.806, 5. Kenny Janssens 1:20.411, 6. Kevin Schellens 1:23.809, 7. Karel Schepmans 1:35.683, 8. Dieter Vroomans 1:39.131, 9. Greg Smets 1:40.077, 10. Jamie Haanen 1:45.279, 11. Jens Bogaers 1:51.812, 12. Enzo Aerden 1:56.603, 13. Brent Aerden 1:57.094, 14. Boyd Van Endert 1:57.534, 15. Chiel Vanhaeren 1 lap, 16. Bart Janssens 1 lap, 17. Sven Wouters 1 lap, 18. Tom Cuyvers 1 lap, 19. Dean Van Clapdorp 1 lap, 20. Nick Spaenenburg 1 lap, 21. Jens Steensels 1 lap, 22. Raf Belmans 1 lap, 23. Alexander Verbeeck 1 lap, 24. Carlo Hulsen 1 lap
Inters 500 final standings
1. Cedric Grobben 50, 2. Nolan Cordens 44, 3. Glenn Bielen 40, 4. Arno Van Mieghem 34, 5. Kenny Janssens 30, 6. Brent Aerden 30, 7. Greg Smets 29, 8. Karel Schepmans 27, 9. Enzo Aerden 26, 10. Nick Spaenenburg 21, 11. Sven Wouters 20, 12. Carlo Hulsen 19
Inters 250 final standings
1. Kevin Schellens 50, 2. Jens Bogaers 42, 3. Dieter Vromans 38, 4. Boyd Van Endert 36, 5. Bart Janssens 36, 6. Maeron Peeters 15
Inters B final standings
1. Jamie Haanen 50, 2. Chiel Vanhaeren 44, 3. Tom Cuyvers 40, 4. Dean Van Clapdorp 36, 5. Raf Belmans 31, 6. Jens Steensels 30, 7. Alexander Verbeeck 29
Tekst: Frank Janssen
Photos: MX Grietje
