WWhat Rock Werchter is on the Belgian festival calendar is also the annual fixture in Werchter on the VMCF calendar: a classic. Despite the considerable competition from the GP of Flanders in Lommel, the organizers of the race in Flemish Brabant's most famous village insisted on letting their event take place. This way, those who prefer racing themselves to watching still had the opportunity to ride last weekend.
Seventeen Inters had traveled to Werchter, on the border between the Kempen and the Hageland, for a motocross session on a nice circuit. That it was championship leader Mattéo Puffet who set the fastest practice time will surprise no one. The rider from Liège set a fastest time of 01:49.436 on the 1.55 km long track, immediately achieving an average speed of just over 50 km/h.
It was MC Mikkola rider Théo Hamerel who led the pack, followed in his wake by teammate Simon Depoers, Mattéo Puffet, guest rider Xim Wynant, and Mark Boot. As a 'warm-up' for the race in Werchter, Zeeland native Boot had already ridden a Supercross race in Aagtekerke, Zeeland, on Friday evening and finished second. Hamerel led for exactly two laps, and then 'Patron' Puffet decided enough was enough. Boot, who was still in Supercross rhythm, had already moved up to second place. Hamerel would manage to hold onto third place, while local Jonas Salaets secured fourth. David Foguenne rounded out the top 5. With a 6e In that position, Simon Depoers became the best quarter-liter driver.
Start of the first round of the Inters in Werchter with Théo Hamerel (18) and MCLB guest rider Xim Wynant (87) at the front. Photo: JDS
Hamérel repeated his feat from the first race at the start of the second heat. The MC Mikkola rider led ahead of Boot, Widar, Puffet, and Salaets. But once again, it didn't take long before the Frenchman had to give way to the advancing Boot. The lead of the veteran from Zeeland was also short-lived (2 laps), as Puffet took the lead in lap 4 and the battle for the victory took a decisive turn. Boot managed to consolidate second place for a while but ultimately had to give way to the pressing Hamerel in the final stages, and 'regional of the stage' Salaets also proved faster than Boot. Dimitri Widar rounded out the top five, while Yoran Moens finished 6th.e became the best quarter-liter rider. Moens – also from the region – was immediately the overall winner in the quarter-liters, ahead of Depoers and C-Jay Vanderelst. Puffet was the logical winner in the half-liters, ahead of Hamerel and Boot.
Next Sunday, VMCF will be a guest in Kortenaken, in Flemish Brabant.
VMCF Werchter 2/8/2026 – results:
Inters 250/500 manche 1: 1. Mattéo Puffet, 2. Mark Boot, 3. Théo Hamerel, 4. Jonas Salaets, 5. David Foguenne, 6. Simon Depoers, 7. Dimitri Widar, 8. Yoran Moens, 9. Bryan Moens, 10. C-Jay Vanderelst, 11. Dylan Mayné, 12. Xim. Jasper Vandermieren, 14. Dailey Van de Ketterij, 15. Jorre Hermans
Inters 250/500 manche 1: 1. Mattéo Puffe,t 2. Théo Hamerel, 3. Jonas Salaets, 4. Mark Boot, 5. Dimitri Widar, 6. Yoran Moens, 7. David Foguenne, 8. Bryan Maes, 9. C-Jay Vanderelst, 10. Jasper Vandermieren, 11. 12. Simon Depoij, Ketter, Van Daij. 13. Jorre Hermans, 14. Bram Deryck, 15. Brent Vanhulsel
Final score Inters 250: 1. Yoran Moens, 2. Simon Depoers, 3. C-Jay Vanderelst, 4. Jasper Vandermieren, 5. Xim Wynant
Final score Inters 500: 1. Mattéo Puffet, 2. Théo Hamerel, 3. Mark Boot, 4. Jonas Salaets, 5. Dimitri Widar, 6. David Foguenne, 7. Bryan Maes, 8. Dailey Van de Ketterij, 9. Jorre Hermans, 10. Bram Deryck, 11. Brent Maylan Dsel, 12. Dsel.
Photos: Photo JDS/Jurgen De Smet
