Grobben triumphs in Balen VLM classic

Published On: 4 mei 2025

NOf course the Keiheuvel motocross in mid-August is a monument of size. But the VLM classic in the Balen sand is also worth mentioning! VLM champion Cedric Grobben was clearly keen on the win. The GasGas pilot (1-1) convincingly beat rival Nolan Cordens (2-2).

After a heavy crash, the race was quickly neutralized and a restart followed. Greg Smets immediately took the lead, closely followed by the favorites. Cedric Grobben was the first to call Smets to order, followed by the Betemo tandem Cordens and Bielen. Brent Aerden also fought his way past Smets.

What followed was an unprecedented one-man show from Grobben: he rode to a lead of over 35 seconds, with only seven riders remaining in the same lap! Cordens held on to second place in a fine manner, ahead of Bielen, Brent Aerden and Greg Smets.

In the 250cc class, Seth Van Tatenhove was on his toes and quickly mixed himself into the VLM peloton. But he had no story against sand hare Jordi Van Mieghem and especially the brand new DVS TM rider Emile De Baere. De Baere suffered more from his sagging pants than from his opponents! In the B class, the strongly started Jamie Haanen dominated. He neatly kept home rider Tom Cuyvers and Rafke Belmans behind him. Grobben's Bis-Number

Before the start of the second series, there was some reassuring news from the camp of Nick Spannenburg, the main victim of the fall in the opening race. Apart from a collapsed lung and a few broken ribs, Nick, although battered, appeared to be okay. The impact initially made one suspect worse.

At the start, Grobben took the lead again, with Cordens, Enzo Aerden, Seth Van Tatenhove and Schepmans in his wake. Jordi Van Mieghem and Bielen fell in the melee. Grobben immediately set his pace and soon forced Cordens to chase – with a gap of ten seconds. Brent Aerden took over third place from brother Enzo, after which revelation Emile De Baere worked his way to the front. The brand new DVS TM rider attracted quite a few spectators to the jumps, where he immediately stole the show.

Seth Van Tatenhove crashed hard – without that crash, a podium finish for the Decouter team would certainly have been possible. Smets was also unlucky: he was sixth when he crashed, disappeared outside the top 15, but fought back to P7. Glenn Bielen rode like a maniac back to the front and eventually finished fifth – just short of a podium finish.

Grobben reigned again on the Keiheuvel, with Cordens in second and Brent Aerden in third. In the 250cc class, Emile De Baere was the undisputed strongest. His finger went up in the air – a victory dedicated to his recently deceased father. Van Mieghem rode a strong catch-up race and came in second, Henk Pater completed the podium.

Among the B-riders, Haanen was again on a roll with two strong starts on the Dam KTM. He was clearly the best. Home rider Tom Cuyvers took second place, Raf Belmans came in third.

The top 3 in the 500cc: Grobben, Cordens and Aerden. Next week the battle continues in Vorselaar.

Inters Race 1

1. Cedric Grobben, 2. Nolan Cordens 39.971, 3. Glenn Bielen 40.904, 4. Brent Aerden 48.918, 5. Greg Smets 1:28.862, 6. Emiel De Baere 1:40.385, 7. Enzo Aerden 1:58.168, 8. Jordy Van Mieghem 1 lap, 9. Seth Van Tatenhove 1 lap, 10. Arno Van Mieghem 1 lap, 11. Henk Peter 1 lap, 12. Jamie Haanen 1 lap, 13. Karel Schepmans 1 lap, 14. Dieter Vroomans 1 lap, 15. Boyd Van Endert 1 lap, 16. Kevin Schellens 1 lap, 17. Jens Bogaers 1 lap, 18. Mike Bransfeld 1 lap, 19. Sven Wouters 1 lap, 20. Dean America 1 lap, 21. Tom Cuyvers 1 lap, 22. Raf Belmans 1 lap, 23. Michael Bruyninckx 2 laps, 24. Alexander Verbeeck 2 laps, 25. Jens Steensels 2 laps, 26. Bart Janssens 2 laps, 27. Chiel Vanhaeren 8 laps, 28. Nate Van Tatenhove 8 laps

Inters Race 2

1. Cedric Grobben, 2. Nolan Cordens 28.726, 3. Brent Aerden 30.184, 4. Emiel De Baere 1:01.302, 5. Glenn Bielen 1:27.273, 6. Enzo Aerden 1:47.821, 7. Greg Smets 1:53.653, 8. Jordy Van Mieghem 1 lap, 9. Arno Van Mieghem 1 lap, 10. Mike Bransfeld 1 lap, 11. Henk Peter 1 lap, 12. Karel Schepmans 1 lap, 13. Dieter Vroomans 1 lap, 14. Kevin Schellens 1 lap, 15. Boyd Van Endert 1 lap, 16. Jens Bogaers 1 lap, 17. Sven Wouters 1 lap, 18. Jamie Haanen 1 lap, 19. Tom Cuyvers 1 lap, 20. Michael Bruyninckx 1 lap, 21. Dean America 1 lap, 22. Raf Belmans 1 lap, 23. Bart Janssens 2 laps, 24. Alexander Verbeeck 2 laps, 25. Jens Steensels 2 laps, 26. Seth Van Tatenhove 6 laps

Final score Inters 500

1. Cedric Grobben 50, 2. Nolan Cordens 44, 3. Brent Aerden 38, 4. Glenn Bielen 38, 5. Enzo Aerden 31, 6. Greg Smets 31, 7. Arno Van Mieghem 28, 8. Mike Bransfeld 25, 9. Karel Schepmans 25, 10. Sven Wouters 22, 11. Michael Bruyninckx 19, 12. Dean America 19

Final score Inters 250

1. Emiel De Baere 50, 2. Jordy Van Mieghem 44, 3. Henk Peter 38, 4. Dieter Vroomans 34, 5. Kevin Schellens 30, 6. Boyd Van Endert 30, 7. Jens Bogaers 27, 8. Bart Janssens 25, 9. Seth Van Tatenhove 20, 10. Nate Van Tatenhove 0