Green Flag: Big Holiday
The Great Holiday has struck mercilessly. Several traders fled the country. In most cases, that flight probably went towards the sun, although we would not be surprised if some people booked a "rainy weather" ticket with the local travel agent. Because of all those empty stores, Green Flagger had to travel a lot of extra miles to find a loaf of bread.
It is also quiet in motocross these days. Silence before the storm? Probably yes. At international and national level we can speak of a breather, at least when we talk about the national motocross championships in Europe. In the States they will start again tomorrow Milville, Minnesota. A circuit known for its long whoop section and its whoop monster!
Supercross Champion Ryan Dungey is also doing well in outdoor competitions. Just halfway through, he has a 1-point lead over his nearest pursuer in the Motocross class (the American equivalent of our MX64). Chad Reed, who in turn is being followed closely by his compatriot Brett Metcalfe. Perhaps the title will be decided between those three drivers because Ben Townley, fourth in the standings, is already 79 points behind leader Dungey.
With the Lites (MX2) the battle seems a little more exciting. Ex-world champion Christophe Pourcel leads the dance for the British Canadian Dean Wilson en Tyla Rattray. Pourcel has 33 points more than Wilson, while Rattray already has 48 points less. Interesting detail: all three of these gentlemen drive for it Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki Mitch Payton's team. We all know the proverb “If two dogs fight for a bone, a third will take it away…”, but could this also apply to “three dogs”? In that case it seems Trey Canard yet to become an outsider for the Lites title. Canard is currently 55 points behind, but with 300 points still to be earned, the title battle can still go either way.
What strikes us is that there are no fewer than three foreign riders in the top 5 in both the Lites and Motocross classes. The foreign dominance is particularly striking among the Lites. Is the American system failing or are we simply dealing with a lesser generation?
Closer is Sunday in French Saint Mamet, the second French Sidecar Cross GP of the season on the programme. It may be somewhat surprising, but France is a real sidecar cross country. In addition to the two national GPs, there is a flourishing national championship and there are still lucrative international competitions. The popularity of sidecar cross in France dates back to the 50s when Belgian sidecar cross toppers such as Leon Liekens and Karel Dom raced almost every week with our southern neighbors. Below images of the first French sidecar cross GP of this year in Plomion.
Anyway, that was then, the battle for the 2010 world title continues on Sunday. With 6 rounds to go, a lot can of course still happen, but the battle for the world title seems increasingly likely Willemsen-Eggink en Hendrickx-Liepins to go. Only five points separate them in the World Cup standings. Hendrickx-Smeuninx are already 54 points behind the leader, a gap that will probably not be easy to eliminate.
If there is only limited cross-country racing this weekend at international level, that is certainly not the case at regional level in Belgium. Especially the Inters of the MCLB are heading into busy times. Both in Sunday Scholarshipt as Wednesday in the West Coast Motocross in Middelkerke championship points are at stake. Steve Seronval is without a doubt the big man at the Inters MX1/MX3 and has won no less than 7 of the 8 heats so far. With such dominance you expect a huge lead, but that is actually not the case. Seronval currently has a 20 point lead Christophe Descamps and 47 on David Vantornout. It therefore appears that the title will be settled between the two Walloon riders.
With the Inters MX2 there is more tension, Jurgen Wybo leads by one point Kenny Dult and 12 op Torpjurn Van Hoe. However, Woby seems to be in super form, as evidenced by his win in the second series of the Radson MX2 Trophy in Tongeren. But a lot can happen in four heats and a ranking can be turned upside down. Jaimy Deleersnijder is the authoritarian leader in the Inters B standings.
After four rounds Marco Stallmann the leader of the standings at the Inters MX2 of VBM. The VB Racing-Suzuki driver has a 37 point lead Bjorn Nouwen. The Brussels gym teacher Michael Vozza follows at 47 points. These guys will be back in the hunt for points on Sunday Zoutleeuw.
De VMCF Inters will then get to work on the spectacular circuit of Werchter. For the VLMdrivers, the classic is on the Duinberg in Retie on the program. However, the flags will fly at half mast there on the Duinberg because this week VLM lost the 20-year-old Jeroen Van Looveren (Juniors MX2) as a result of a traffic accident. MXM hereby offers its condolences to Jeroen's relatives and friends.
Photo Credits: Supercross.com, CDS
Also to read
Micha Boy de Waal also the strongest in Marum
Earlier this month in Lochem Micha Boy managed to win de Waal. During the fourth race of the KNMV Dutch 500cc Championship, the Brabander won again. The JH MX Service rider…Sander Agard-Michelsen also wins in Marum
The fourth competition, the KNMV Dutch 250cc Championship, was won by Sander Agard-Michelsen. The 24-year-old rider managed to triumph in both heats on the Marum circuit. The Norwegian won in…Participate in the Summer internship of Pro MX-Stage in Veldhoven!
Pro MX-Stage is organizing its summer internship in Veldhoven on July 29, 30 and 31! This 3-day training camp offers a great opportunity to improve your skills, whether you're a beginner, advanced…Kooiker wins, Visser the new leader in NK125
On King's Day, cross-country skiing is traditionally held in Marum. During the fourth race of the KNMV Open Dutch Championship 125cc, Dex Kooiker (photo) managed to win both heats. The Yamaha rider…
Your reactions