Monster Energy MX2 Trophy: Larsen wins Keiheuvel
The Standing Construct team continues to master the Monster Energy MX2 Trophy. In Mons the victory went to Jens Getteman. A few weeks later Getteman won both heats in Kester and in Balen it was Nikolaj Larsen's turn. Yet Larsen did not just get the victory on the Keiheuvel as a gift.
Channel 1: Van Doninck makes an impression
Kempen son Brent Van Doninck led the peloton over the dune ridge for the first time. It soon became clear that the KTM rider's holeshot was not a stroke of luck because the 16-year-old remained the authoritarian leader. Nikolaj Larsen, Mark Boot and Jens Getteman followed in his wake. A strong Tom De Belder rounded off the top 5. A number of favorites had messed up their start. This applied to reigning champion Kevin Fors and Jeffrey Dewulf. Fors would still be up to 14e advancing but overcome by pain, the KEMEA Reytec Yamaha rider eventually had to step aside.
Meanwhile, Jens Getteman had crashed at the front. The East Flemish had to take over the role but still retained third place. The lead was still in the hands of the strong Brent Van Doninck. But as the end approached, the Herentals resident became more and more out of breath. On the penultimate lap, Larsen struck and was able to pass the KTM rider. Van Doninck hung on but could no longer get over the Dane. An advancing Getteman finished third, just a fraction behind Van Doninck. Damon Graulus finished fourth ahead of Mark Boot. The surprisingly strong Jeffrey Dewulf finished 6the after finishing 24th in the first rounde to have passed.
Channel 2: Dewulf surprised
Nikolaj Larsen was looking for a double and took the holeshot. Jeffrey Dewulf and Brent Van Doninck followed ahead of van Geldorp and Van Dueren. The latter two were quickly overtaken by Jens Getteman. The championship leader seemed to feel less comfortable in the warm, deep sand of the Keiheuvel than in the Kester mud.
It was already apparent in the first heat that Dewulf felt good on the Keiheuvel. The West Flemish player kept Larsen in his sights and struck in the last quarter of the match. Larsen pressed on for a while but was no longer able to displace the North Sea Paints Yamaha rider from the lead. Larsen only needed a second place to win the final score.
Van Doninck was able to stand on the second podium step with a third place. Thanks to his victory in the 2nd heat, Jeffrey Dewulf was also able to join the podium.
Results Monster Energy MX2 Trophy – Balen-Keiheuvel
Channel 1: 1. Nikolaj Larsen, 2. Brent Van Doninck, 3. Jens Getteman, 4. Damon Graulus, 5. Mark Boot, 6. Jeffrey Dewulf, 7. Kenny Vandueren, 8. Tom De Belder, 9. Jens Poppe, 10. Robin Bakens, 11. Ludovic Brevers, 12. Steven Van Dun, 13. Nick Janssens, 14. Dietger Damiaens, 15. Cédric Grobben, 16. Paul Spek, 17. Dylan Verleysen, 18. Jonas Salaets, 19. Kevin van Geldorp 20 .David Foguenne
Heat 2: 1. Jeffrey Dewulf, 2. Nikolaj Larsen, 3. Brent Vandoninck, 4. Jens Getteman, 5. Kenny Vandueren, 6. Jens Poppe, 7. Damon Graulus, 8. Tom De Belder, 9. Dieter Vromans, 10. Ronny Van Hove, 11. David Foguenne, 12. Jordi Van De Wiele, 13. Kevin Van Geldorp, 14. Dietger Damiaens , 15. Dylan Verleysen, 16. Arnaud Englebert, 17. Ludovic Brevers, 18. Steve Dosquet 19. Olivier Vandergugten, 20 .Jonas Salaets
Final ranking: 1. Nikolaj Larsen – Suzuki, 2. Brent Van Doninck – KTM, 3. Jeffrey Dewulf – Yamaha, 4. Jens Getteman – Suzuki, 5. Damon Graulus – Suzuki, 6. Kenny Vandueren – Yamaha, 7. Jens Poppe – KTM, 8. Tom De Belder – KTM, 9. Robin Bakens – TM, 10. Dietger Damiaens – KTM
Monster Energy MX2 Trophy standings (after 6 of 10 heats): 1. Jens Getteman, 130 pts; 2. Nikolaj Larsen, 109 pts;3. Jeffrey Dewulf, 106 pts; 4. Kenny Vandueren, 94 pts; 5. Kevin Fors, 81 pts; 6. Brent Vandoninck, 72 pts; 7. Dietger Damiaens, 72 pts; 8. Tom De Belder, 66 pts; 9. Damon Graulus, 61 pts; 10. Robin Bakens, 61 pts;
Gallery: CDS Images
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