Preview Lotto Trophy Mont-St Guibert
Exactly one week after the Motocross of Nations, the Lotto Trophy/BK Motocross also takes place in Mont-Saint Guibert. Since 2008 the Shank's sand quarry the impressive backdrop for the final of the Belgian championship. Due to circumstances, the drivers were presented with a more compact circuit last season. This Sunday, however, riders and the public can prepare themselves for one of the most beautiful courses in our country: broad, fast, modern, clear and technical! Add to that an excellent field of participants and the exciting battle in the Radson MX2 Trophy and it becomes clear that the Belgian Motocross Championship will end with a spectacular highlight.
Shaun Simpson on his way to title
All eyes are on the decision in the Lotto Trophy Shaun Simpson (LS Honda Racing). The 23-year-old Briton has been the most regular in the past 6 games and could also count on a good dose of luck with the injuries to Clément Desalle and Ken De Dycker. Simpson, who is in his first season in MX1, previously became British MX2 champion. Before the final in Mont-Saint Guibert in Walloon Brabant, Shaun has a 53-point lead over the Italian David Guarneri (Bud Racing-Kawasaki). Since there is a maximum of 75 points to be earned, Simpson already has the title within reach. This would make him the first foreigner to win the Belgian Open title since Billy Liles. However, Guarneri will not give up easily. After all, the Italian is in top form and already won the Belgian Championship round of Mont-Saint Guibert last year!
Spectacle maker Ken Dycker, third in the standings, has no chance of winning the title, but the LS Honda Racing rider will be there again after an absence in Balen and Orp-le-Grand. Keeno's neck injury has fully recovered and he also immediately felt good during training at the Shanks circuit in Mont-Saint Guibert on Wednesday. However, playing for the final victory seems too ambitious Kevin Strijbos (Rockstar-Suzuki) showed, especially during the second round in Saint-Jean d'Angély, that he is still one of the fastest riders in the world. Also Strijbos' MX of Nations teammate Marvin Van Daele (Honda) appears at the start in Mont-Saint Guibert. In the run-up to the Nations Cup, Van Daele also took part in the Italian GP and previously made a positive impression in the Belgian Championship. Can he cause a surprise with his first podium finish of the season?
On the foreign side, RMC Pierreux won Rui Goncalves (Honda World Motocross), Tanel Leok (TM Racing) and Anthony Boissière (Gariboldi-Yamaha) to attract three strong candidates for the final victory. Leok was already the strongest on the Shanks circuit three years ago. As always, there is a shortage of places for places of honour. David Cools, Nick Triest, Jeremy Delincé en Manuel Avg will cross swords with, among others, Petar Petrov and the Frenchman Cyril Coulon.
Radson MX2 Trophy: not over yet!
In the MX2 there are exactly 50 points to be earned in Mont-Saint Guibert. BK leader Kevin Fors was also the big favorite for the Belgian title in advance, but the young KTM rider was not one of the best. Due to bad luck and a lack of regularity, he had to chase from the beginning of the season Mark Boat. Boot is now third, 22 points behind Fors. However, most of the danger seems to come from Boot's compatriot Mike Kras to come. The Beursfoon-Suzuki rider won the last two BC rounds. He follows Fors by 19 points. Despite a triple broken collarbone during the German GP, Kras made an impressive comeback last weekend with a victory in the Vlissingen Beach Race.
In addition to the battle for the title, the battle for victory and podium positions also promises fireworks. Coming man Jens Getteman, fourth in the Radson MX2 Trophy standings, can add some shine to his season provided he puts in a strong performance in Mont-Saint Guibert. With a view to next season, top performances obviously remain the best argument for drivers who are angling for a new contract. Kenny Vandueren, Julien Lieber, Yerki Janvier en Jeffrey Dewulf previously showed that they have the speed to reach the podium. May the best win!
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