Published On: 6 mei 2026
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ALast Saturday, the MX2 youth class lined up behind the starting gate for the sixth time this season. Liam Peeters was by far the strongest, with two race wins and the accompanying overall victory for the day. “Best of the rest” was the Belgian Xander Vanschooren, with two second-place finishes in the races and second place in the overall standings.

Third place in Venlo went to Matiss Rottier (Bel) with a third and fourth place in the heats. Joshua Steensels finished fourth with a seventh and third place in the heats. Ivan Kunz completed the top five of the day's standings with two fifth places.

This coming Saturday, the MX2 youth class will be back in action in Arkel, South Holland.

First heat

It is Peeters who takes the holeshot ahead of Vanschooren, Rottier, Mike de Wilde, and Messing. In the first lap, Messing drops back a few places, and it is Ivan Kunz who comes through in fifth. At the front, the gaps between Peeters, Vanschooren, and Rottier are quickly established. Consequently, the first three positions do not change during the race. Behind them, De Wilde, Ivan Kunz, Jan Kunz, and Senna Woudstra battle for fourth place. Shortly after the halfway point of the race, Woudstra sees Ivan Kunz pass him. A little later, Senna Woudstra follows suit. Jan Kunz has already dropped out, likely due to a crash. Two laps before the checkered flag falls, Woudstra also passes Ivan Kunz and takes fourth place. Ivan Kunz follows a few seconds ahead of De Wilde.

Second heat

Once again, it is Peeters with the best start ahead of Steensels and Messing. Peeters quickly takes the lead again. Behind him, at the first lap, Steensels comes through in second place ahead of Vanschooren and Ivan Kunz. Messing has already dropped back to fifth place and is rapidly falling further behind. Vanschooren quickly takes over second place, and behind him, Rottier quickly positions himself right behind Steensels. At the front, the tension quickly dissipates. Peeters therefore wins the heat ahead of Vanschooren. Behind them, Steensels keeps Rottier behind him. Ivan Kunz briefly sees Woudstra take over fifth place. Woudstra then runs into trouble. Ivan Kunz takes advantage of this and finishes fifth. Jan Kunz follows nine seconds behind.

First heat MX2 Youth Venlo
 1. Peeters 19:34.074, 2. Vanschooren (Bel) +23.874, 3. Rottier (Bel) +53.267, 4. Woudstra +1:02.395, 5. Ivan Kunz +1:06.505, 6. De Wilde +1:11.010, 7. Steensels (Bel) +1:30.293, 8. Jan Kunz +1:34.117, 9. Muus +1 lap, 10. Messing +1 lap.

Second heat MX2 Youth Venlo
 1. Peeters 19:46.226, 2. Vanschooren (Bel) +34.622, 3. Steensels (Bel) +41.710, 4. Rottier (Bel) +45.548, 5. Ivan Kunz +58.443, 6. Jan Kunz +1:07.371, 7. De Wilde +1:17.356, 8. Van Tetering +1:44.423, 9. Messing +1:53.775, 10. Jansen +1 lap.

MX2 Youth Venlo Day Classification
 1. Peeters 120pts, 2. Vanschooren (Bel) 108pts, 3. Rottier (Bel) 97pts, 4. Steensels (Bel) 91pts, 5. Ivan Kunz 90pts, 6. De Wilde 84pts, 7. Jan Kunz 82pts, 76. Woudstra. Brass 72pts, 10. Mouse 70pts.

Gross standings MX2 Youth 2026
1. Peeters 617pts, 2. Steensels (Bel) 563pts, 3. Ivan Kunz 553pts, 4. Vanschooren (Bel) 541pts, 5. Jan Kunz 530pts, 6. De Wilde 482pts, 7. Muus 415pts, 8. Rottier (Bel) 377pts, 9. Van Tetering 331pts, 10. Messing 292pts.

Tekst: Maycel de Bruijn
Photos: mdbmxpics