Preview MX Pro Series Orp-Le-Grand
The picturesque Walloon Brabant village of Orp-Le-Grand is preparing for a sporting summit showdown. The fact that it concerns motorsport has long come as no surprise in Orp, because the local club AMC Orp has been organizing enduros, trials and of course motocross competitions for 60 years!
Constant improvement
For the eighth consecutive time, the Motocross Championships will be held in Orp. Yet AMC Orp is far from resting on their laurels. In 2007, the circuit received a thorough facelift by course designer Frederic Hoslet. These changes were very well received by the drivers. Even now, the club continues year after year to increase safety and visibility. For example, the start was redesigned - parallel to the street - and the circuit was widened in several places.
The penultimate race of the MX Pro Series will take place this weekend on the spectacular and technical circuit of the Kleine Gete. However, there is a chance that Steve Ramon (Rockstar-Teka-Suzuki) will be certain of his fifth (!) Open Belgian title on Sunday evening. Ramon's lead over Tanel Leok is 44 points, Davide Guarneri follows on 45 points. Both LS Motors-Honda riders dropped points during the previous race at the Keiheuvel, but both Leok and Guarneri should be able to score well in Orp. However, Ramon has experience with these types of situations and knows the circuit like the back of his hand. Only a groin injury sustained during the Brazilian GP plays against him.
Strong Kawasaki quartet
The Italian Guarneri makes his debut on 'small Namur' teammate Leok, who already won there in 2007 with Kawasaki. In recent years, the green motorcycles were often found at the front in Orp-Le-Grand. In addition to the victory of the Estonian Express, Patrick Caps (2008) and Christophe Pourcel (2006) also took podium places. This time even the entire Kawasaki factory team with Sébastien Pourcel, Jonathan Barragan and seasonal revelation Xavier Boog will be at the start! In addition, Jeremy Van Horebeek (Monster Energy-Pro Circuit-CLS Kawasaki) will also travel to Walloon Brabant. The Jerre just climbed onto his first GP podium in Campo Grande, Brazil and naturally wants to continue that upward trend. On a circuit where driving technique is decisive, Van Horebeek certainly has the qualities to distinguish himself.
Is Keeno ready?
The list of outsiders is certainly impressive. Ken De Dycker (Monster Energy-Ricci Racing-Yamaha) is recovering fully from a shoulder injury but nevertheless recorded a very solid second round in Balen.
The young club pilot Jeremy Delincé (MC Mikkola) is also a thoroughbred stylist. Last year, Delincé showed that he feels perfectly at home with a second place in the Radson MX2 Trophy in Orp. In the category successful experienced experts we also find Manuel Priem (Aprilia Racing). 'Diesel' was on stage in Orp in 2007. Jurgen Van Nooten (14th) and Marvin Van Daele (13th) can take a step towards a coveted place in the top 10 if they get a good result in Orp. The French GP riders Loic Leonce and Morgan Jacquelin (both Delta-Suzuki) also want to make a good impression.
Radson MX2 Trophy: Nick Triest against the rest!
With a lead of 32 points, Nick Triest (Shineray) is in a similar position to fellow leader Steve Ramon. Trieste has won no fewer than six of the eight series so far. He only lost points by retiring after a technical problem in Kester and a crash in Tongeren. An extension of his Belgian MX2 title would therefore not be a surprise at all. Jeffrey Dewulf (KTM MX Dreamteam), second on 32 points, will have to do everything he can to keep his last hope for a title intact.
The battle for the day's victory is shaping up to be more exciting. Due to an unfortunate injury (bruised ischial tuberosity), Triest is limited in his training options. Moreover, Orp has often proven to be a surprising factor in the championship in the past. First of all we think of Jurgen Wybo (Viaene-Kawasaki) who already won in Orp (2007) and was on the podium last year. But club pilot Yerki Janvier (TM), Jens Getteman (Alpha MX Team), Kevin Fors and the experienced Kemea men Jimmy Huysmans and Danny De Baets can also claim a podium place.
Photos credit: Ray Archer, Massimo Zanzani & CDS
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