Green Flag: Indian Summer?
Admittedly, our pessimism about Belgian podium chances in the Red Bull MXoN turned out to be (fortunately) unfounded. The Belgians even beat the other European countries. And yes, that may have involved a bit of bad luck on the part of others. After all, who could have predicted in advance that Marvin Musquin would drop out twice? Max Nagl, on the other hand, seems destined to hate the US. Both during the US GP, earlier this year in Glen Helen, and during the Red Bull MXoN, Nagl recorded a DNF in the 2e heat. Nevertheless, Nagl, together with the brilliant Ken Roczen and Marcus Schiffer, secured the first German podium finish at the MXoN in 25 years. Germany will probably become a nation to be reckoned with in the coming years and that is, from a sporting point of view, good news for the MXoN. From that perspective, it is also strange that Youthstream will not visit Teutschenthal in 2013, but Glen Helen. Well, that wasn't surprising because 2012 had already been circulating as a possible date for an MXoN in Glen Helen. But still, just through the country where motocross is or will certainly be on the rise, YS is canceling an MXoN. Although something tells us that the last word has not yet been said about this.
The real losers of these 64e MXoN were undoubtedly the TV viewers. The images that we received on Sunday evening via MotorsTV seemed to come from a security camera rather than from a television camera. It must be said: the image quality of the GPs has been substandard for an entire season, but the images of the MXoN reminded us more of a sporting event in North Korea than of the world's most prestigious motocross competition that took place in the United States.
And that brings us, albeit not entirely seamlessly, to the European MX of Nations that takes place this weekend in Markelo
finds. For the first time in the existence of this “small” MX of Nations, it will be held in the Benelux. The MC Ons Genoegen from Markelo made her mark in the recent past with the organization of the Dutch MX3/EMX2 GP. The fact that Markelo chose the EMX of Nations for this year is a testament to a healthy ambition. The Dutch and Belgian teams may also be at the start tomorrow with the same healthy ambition. Although we must say that the Belgian team seems less strong due to the loss of Kevin Strijbos and Jeremy Van Horebeek. Although we are convinced that Jeremy Délincé and Nick Triest will give 100%. Triest's participation is a punishment because the Liedekerken resident broke his ankle barely 3 weeks ago! Here you can read what Belgian team manager Walter Haentjens thinks about the Belgian opportunities. The Dutch are also very preoccupied with this local heroes Ceriel Klein Kromhof, Marc de Reuver and Glenn Coldenhoff.
Flemish amateur motocross has its highlight this weekend with the FAM Final in Sint-Lenaarts in Antwerp. When making the preview, we noticed the somewhat unusual scoring in the FAM competitions. Perhaps points for the first forty first in a heat are a bit generous, but the significant difference in points between the 1e in 2. e, namely 6 points, we like. This way you will have more strength when it comes to winning the series.
The three new Inters MX1 champions; Steve Seronval (MCLB), Jelle Grade (VLM), and Jan Lauryssen (VBM) all still claim the title. In any case, the race in Sint-Lenaarts will be a prestige battle between these three riders. In addition to the above-mentioned drivers, Peter Iven and Christof Godrie also have a chance of winning the title. A nice detail is that this FAM final is a home match for both Christof Godrie and Jan Lauryssen. Current leader in the FAM Inters MX1 championship, Kenny Janssens, unfortunately cannot be there due to injuries. But Janssens analyzed for MXMag.be the opposition. The three new champions also belong to the Inters MX2; Jurgen Wybo (MCLB), Jonathan Banken (VLM) and Marco Stallmann (VBM) are still among the contenders. There too we can probably speak of a prestige battle. It is also remarkable that Kevin Van Geldorp, the champion of the BMB Beloften, is the leader in the standings of the FAM championship at the Nationals MX2. Can the Reytec-Yamaha rider win two prestigious titles in one year?
At VMCF they have to wait another week for their championship final. But on Sunday in Oostrozebeke the Inters will again compete for championship points. At the Inters MX1, David Segers, Dennis Dierckx and David Cools were evenly matched for a whole year. The latter was in ours this week talking chair and made an analysis of his main opponents.
There will also be cross country racing this weekend in Mons. At least, the Bois brûlé circuit will then function as the special of the BK Enduro that will take place on Sunday. The ex-cross riders, and there are quite a few, will probably like that. Moreover, we know from D'Ieteren Sport-Yamaha rider Jeff Goblet that he sometimes trains in Lommel. In that case, the black sand of the Borinage should not cause any problems. But how will an ex-trial rider like Roel Verpoorten do on this Special? The Leclercq-HM Honda rider seems to be on a roll in recent weeks. In Estinnes he already won the E1 class at the Inters and did so again last Sunday in Esneux. But can he also hold off his direct competitors in the sand? Verpoorten is currently second behind Jerôme Martiny, but is looking at a gap of 22 points. With two games (Mons and Hautrage) to go, winning the E1 title will not be an easy task for Verpoorten.
What is certain is that this weekend promises to be very varied. Moreover, Sunday could well be the last beautiful Sunday of the year. So take advantage of it, be it as a rider or as a spectator!
Photo Credits: CDS Images, MXFotorama.be, FDavid.be
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