Eand a new and demanding circuit was built by the RSP MX Team in Herenthout. That was not the only novelty. For the winners of the 250 cc and 500 cc classes there was a diamond as a prize, which clearly attracted some guest riders!
Brent Aerden took the holeshot in the first manche, ahead of Cedric Grobben, Nolan Cordens, Jilani Cambré and Kenny Janssens. In the second long corner, however, Aerden made a mistake and came to a standstill. Nolan Cordens and Kenny Janssens were the better pursuers.
Grobben and Cordens raced past the numerous spectators at full speed, never more than five seconds apart. Kenny Janssens seemed to be on his way to a great feat for a long time by claiming third place, but Kevin Fors and guest rider Damian Knuimann put up a stiff fight. Incidentally, the latter two were also involved in a duel for the 250cc series victory, which of course also provided a good starting position for the coveted diamond!
Cordens kept chasing Grobben until the end, but eventually had to settle for second place with a difference of only 1,4 seconds. Brent Aerden fought back strongly from almost last to a great fifth place. The series winners were: Cedric Grobben (500 cc), Damian Knuimann (250 cc) and Jamie Haanen (B-class).
Remarkably, only eight riders managed to stay within the same lap!
Second heat
Many more riders had a chance to win the coveted diamond, worth 750 euros, for the overall winners of both the 250 cc and 500 cc classes.
Brent Aerden immediately took the lead, followed by Nolan Cordens, Cedric Grobben, Glenn Bielen and good old Kenny Janssens. Kevin Fors had a perfect start, while Damian Knuimann now had to come from much further away.
Cordens and Grobben raced wheel to wheel around the circuit and had the crowd cheering wildly. Grobben was unable to match the high pace. When the GasGas driver took a piece of the fencing tape halfway through the race, Glenn Bielen – the reigning champion – was able to pass. That created an extra buffer behind teammate Cordens, to the benefit of the BETEMO camp.
Grobben fought back, but Cordens and Bielen remained out of harm's way and celebrated Nolan Cordens' resounding final victory together. Jeremy Knuimann rode himself nicely to fourth place, ahead of 250 cc final winner Kevin Fors and Knuiman's brother Damian.
In the B-class Jamie Haanen had to go to extremes to take on all the B-riders one by one, and became both the series and overall winner.
He beat home riders Belmans and Verbeeck.
And Brent Aerden? He fell at the beginning of the race, but fought back strongly to eighth place. Well driven!
Inters Race 1
1. Cedric Grobben, 2. Nolan Cordens 1.418, 3. Damian Knuiman 1:00.683, 4. Kenny Janssens 1:05.312, 5. Brent Aerden 1:10.032, 6. Kevin Fors 1:17.631, 7. Jeremy Knuiman 1:19.889, 8. Giany Cambré 1:29.228, 9. Maxime Lucas 1 lap, 10. Enzo Aerden 1 lap, 11. Karel Schepmans 1 lap, 12. Dieter Vromans 1 lap, 13. Arno Van Mieghem 1 lap, 14. Kevin Schellens 1 lap, 15. Boyd Van Endert 1 lap, 16. Jamie Haanen 1 lap, 17. Jens Bogaers 1 lap, 18. Raf Belmans 1 lap, 19. Bart Janssens 1 lap, 20. Alexander Verbeeck 1 lap, 21. Jens Steensels 1 lap, 22. Chiel Vanhaeren 1 lap, 23. Sven Wouters 2 laps, 24. Glenn Bielen 2 laps, 25. Domien Vermeiren 2 laps, 26. Yoran Moens 8 laps.
Inters Race 2
1. Nolan Cordens, 2. Glenn Bielen 2.594, 3. Cedric Grobben 15.431, 4. Jeremy Knuiman 16.063, 5. Kevin Fors 29.453, 6. Damian Knuiman 37.401, 7. Kenny Janssens 40.189, 8. Brent Aerden 43.757, 9. Karel Schepmans 1:05.732, 10. Maxime Lucas 1:12.828, 11. Arno Van Mieghem 1:19.157, 12. Dieter Vroomans 1:25.980, 13. Enzo Aerden 1:27.173, 14. Kevin Schellens 1 lap, 15. Boyd Van Endert 1 lap, 16. Jamie Haanen 1 lap, 17. Bart Janssens 1 lap, 18. Jens Bogaers 1 lap, 19. Raf Belmans 1 lap, 20. Alexander Verbeeck 1 lap, 21. Jens Steensels 1 lap, 22. Chiel Vanhaeren 1 lap, 23. Sven Wouters 1 lap, 24. Domien Vermeiren 2 laps, 25. Giany Cambré 13 laps.
Debut Inters 500
1. Nolan Cordens 47, 2. Cedric Grobben 45, 3. Kenny Janssens 36, 4. Jeremy Knuiman 34, 5. Brent Aerden 33, 6. Glenn Bielen 32, 7. Karel Schepmans 27, 8. Arno Van Mieghem 25, 9. Enzo Aerden 25, 10. Giany Cambré 24, 11. Sven Wouters 21,
Final score Inters 250
1. Kevin Fors 47, 2. Damian Knuiman 47, 3. Maxime Lucas 40, 4. Kevin Schellens 34, 5. Boyd Van Endert 31, 6. Bart Janssens 28, 7. Jens Bogaers 28, 8. Dieter Vromans 18, 9. Yoran Moens 12
Final score Inters B
1. Jamie Haanen 50, 2. Raf Belmans 44, 3. Alexander Verbeeck 40, 4. Jens Steensels 36, 5. Chiel Vanhaeren 32, 6. Domien Vermeiren 30
All results here
Tekst: Frank Janssen
Photos: MX Grietje
