The KNMV ONK Motocross starts in Emmen!
After 22 years, the KNMV Open Dutch Motocross Championship starts again in Drenthe! The last time this highly regarded series of races started in Drenthe was in 1992. Then the points were divided on the beautiful circuit of Norg. The first race of this season will be held on Sunday, March 16, at the 'De Pottendijk' circuit. It is the fourth time that organizer Hydrowear MSV Motodrôme Emmen organizes a competition of this magnitude.
The first game of the season always has something special. Everyone starts from 'zero' and from the first moment the drivers and teams arrive on the circuit, the tension is palpable. This year there may be extra tension because reigning champion Jeffrey Herlings will not start in Emmen. The Brabander must appear at the start in Mantova, Italy, from his employer KTM. Very unfortunate for Herlings fans, but it does offer opportunities for other drivers to strike immediately. Glenn Coldenhoff is of course one of the favorites, after all, the Suzuki rider already won in Emmen! However, it will be a tough job for 'The Hoff' because big names from the World Championship are coming to the organization led by Gerard Cramer. With names like Romain Febvre, Aleksandr Tonkov, Petar Petrov, Luke Styke, Brian Bogers and the born Drent Erik Eggens at the start, the tension will be palpable all the way to the finish flag! Local top riders who will compete in this class are Rick Folkers and Jeffrey van der Vlis.
We also miss the reigning champion Evgeny Bobryshev in MX1, the Russian has to focus entirely on the World Championship from Honda. This means that there will be a new champion in 2014, who will do the job? Marc de Reuver and Herjan Brakke are definitely contenders for gold. Both already have experience which they can put to good use in the title battle because they will have to go deep for the flowers and champagne is certain. The Belgian Joel Roelants is going to make a bid for the title and he also has experience. After all, he won the MX2009 title in 2! Other men who will have a shot at a podium spot are Ceriel Klein Kromhof, William Saris, Jens Getteman and the Swede Filip Bengtsson. In about three months we will know who the new champion is.
In addition to the MX1 and MX2 class, youth also take action on the tough sand circuit of Emmen. The 85cc and 125cc riders have only one goal and that is to grow into 'the big boys'. In the 85cc class we expect a battle between Roan van de Moosdijk from Eindhoven and the Belgian Iago Geerts. Geerts finished third in the title race last season. Van de Moosdijk made his debut in the ONK and was very close to victory during the 2013 final. In the 125cc class all eyes are on Davy Pootjes, the Gelderlander is without a doubt the favorite but it will not be easy for the former European Champion 65cc and 85cc. Bas Vaessen has been a tough opponent of Pootjes for years, and Max Engelen, the Belgian, will also have to be taken into account. Cyril Enjoyment, the British Conrad Mewse and Dani de Vries! The 17-year-old rider from neighboring Roden has had a good winter and certainly has the speed to make it very difficult for the aforementioned riders. With support from the home crowd he could well finish on the podium!
The training sessions at 'De Pottendijk' start at 9am and the starting gate will close for the first time at 12pm. The entrance fee is only 20 euros for adults, children between 12 and 16 years pay 7,50 euros and children up to 11 years are free.
By: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
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