Unreleased trio for Thunder Valley!
Team manager Joël Smets announced his selection for the MX of Nations today during the International Motocross of Keiheuvel. Clément Desalle (MX1), Steve Ramon (Open) and Jeremy Van Horebeek (MX2) will represent Belgium in Lakewood (Denver) on September 25 and 26. Team Belgium has always reached the final podium under Smets over the past three years.
Smets himself calls the trio a 'logical choice'. Although circumstances also played an important role. Steve Ramon was in balance with Ken De Dycker until the German GP winner suffered a shoulder injury in Sweden. Smets: “I have been in contact with Ken a few times in recent weeks. He himself indicated that he could only drive for fifteen minutes. After that, the strength in his shoulder is completely gone. That's a shame because I had Bring it I would have loved to have been there and I know he would have been super motivated. Of course, it is possible that the shoulder will have almost recovered by the end of September. But in the meantime he has also fallen behind in training and what is going on after such an injury? After all, for the Nations you have to be top both physically and mentally.”
The national coach opted for a permanent fixture with Ramon. The bomb knows the ropes and is almost a guarantee for a top 3 in its class. The selection of Clément Desalle has been beyond dispute for some time. The Suzuki pilot is the only one who can challenge Tony Cairoli. Yesterday, Desalle also impressed during an American guest appearance (in Unadilla) where he came second after Ryan Dungey. More difficult was the choice for the MX2 rider between Joël Roelants and Jeremy Van Horebeek. “Jeremy and Joël were very balanced. Both have had their problems, but in terms of speed Jeremy has the edge. In the MX2 World Championship there is a clear ranking with Musquin, Roczen and Herlings as leaders. After that come guys like Frossard, Paulin and Simpson, but Jeremy certainly fits in that list.”
Just like in 2007 (Budds Creek), the MXoN will again take place in the US. Although an American edition confers additional prestige, it also means an additional burden in terms of logistics and organization. However, the location was not a determining factor for the selection, at most a plus. “For both the Suzuki riders and Van Horebeek, we can rely on great local support. With the Rockstar-Makita-Suzuki team of Roger Decoster and the Pro Circuit-Kawasaki team of Mitch Payton respectively. Agreed, motocross is a mechanical sport, but the sportiness was definitely the deciding factor. Although it is a bonus that we can work together with two top American teams. After all, adjusting an engine at an altitude of 1.859 meters is not easy,” Smets explains.
Clément Desalle (Rockstar-Teka-Suzuki): The 21-year-old Desalle from Gouy-lez-Pieton is the best Belgian in the queen class, the MX1, this season. He is second in the standings, won two GPs and was on the podium ten times. Thunder Valley will be the second MXoN participation for the reigning Belgian champion. Last year Clément was among his first Nations immediately on the podium with the Belgian team.
Steve Ramon (Rockstar-Teka-Suzuki): Two-time world champion Ramon (30) will start in his 9th year this yearde MX of Nations. This makes the West Flemish one of the most experienced participants. Steve took three podium places in MX1 this season. He leads the Belgian MX Pro Series and is fourth in the MX1 World Championship. Ramon has 4 individual MXoN victories to his name and won twice as a member of the Belgian team.
Jeremy Van Horebeek (CLS Kawasaki-Pro Circuit): Van Horebeek goes in the US in its third MXoN. The two-time Belgian MX2 champion has always been on the podium in the Nations. The 20-year-old pilot from Lot is currently 7thde in the MX2 World Championship despite an injury in the Latvian GP. Last year he won one GP.
Photos credit: CDS
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