Belgium on top during the first European Youth Championship of the season!
In Korskroen Esbjerg, Denmark the first competition for it was held European Youth Championship driven. At least for our region. For example, Europe is divided into 4 regions and Belgium is divided into the North-West region. The best ten riders per region can advance to the final during the GP of Finland in Hyvinkaa, where they will compete for the European title in the 65 & 85cc classes. With two competitions in Denmark and competitions in Germany, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is quite a lot of traveling for our Belgians. Yet three compatriots competed in this competition, all three of whom were registered for the 3cc class.
All Belgians in the top 15 qualified.
It was already clear in the qualifications that the Belgians were going to do well. Jago Geerts won his qualifying race and was the first to find a place behind the starting gate. Jarni Kooi who plays for the Grizzly racing team was third in the qualifying series. But due to splitting into two groups, that came down to a 5e qualification. Tallon Verhelst finished seventh in the Group B qualifying series and was ranked 14the to the starting gate.
Perfect weekend for Geerts.
Sahktar KTM rider Geerts could not be matched in Denmark. Jago, who turned 21 today (April 14), won in both heats. In both series, our young Belgian was faster than the Finnish talent, Kim Savaste, who we saw at work several times last year in Belgium and the Netherlands. The other Belgian present, Jarni Kooij, managed a 6e in 4. e place to gather together. This makes him good for a 6e place general. Tallon Verhelst unfortunately dropped out in the first series and did not start in the second series. Quite a shame after such a good qualifying on Saturday.
What did our Belgians have to say?
“The circuit was partly sandy and another part was really super deep sand, so it really suits me.” Thus winner Iago Geerts. “I started fifth in the first race, I was able to quickly move to the front and almost immediately took over the lead when the first one left. Then I extended my lead and crossed the finish line first. I had a worse start in the second series and left seventh. In less than three laps I was able to fight my way to first place, but then fell. After that crash I was third, immediately afterwards I rode back to the front but fell again and was third again. After an exciting final, I was able to take the lead in the very last lap and won the series. Thank you to the Sahktar ktm team and my family and friends for the support!”
Jarni Kooij said the following: “I was quite nervous for the first series. I haven't done that many races yet this year and such a European Championship is always a little bigger and different. During the second series I had less stress and I was able to move around a little more smoothly, which also resulted in a better result. What do I expect from the final in Finland? I rode there last year with the EK85cc and it is a track that suits me. Almost all top players are also registered in our region and the level is already quite high during a regular European Championship competition. A top 10 place during the final should be possible. Thanks in advance to my parents, Grizzly racing, hgs and Rino.”
non-starter Tallon Verhelst was able to say the following: “Qualifying went well, I finished fifth in the first corner, but in the third corner someone fell in front of me, causing me to lose two places. Then I took the heat calmly and rode smoothly because there were two more heats on the program on Sunday. However, things went wrong in the first heat. When I started an attack for fourteenth place, the opponent changed his line. My knee became trapped between my and his motorcycle, which caused my knee to swell and my cruciate ligaments to be damaged. To prevent worse, we have decided not to start in the second series. I would also like to thank my family and friends who are always there for me!”
The Dutch do well with the 65cc
In the youngest class you can see that the Dutch Youth Championship is of an excellent level. Kay Karssemakers managed to secure a podium place with a second and fourth place. Sem de Lange turned 8 againe general. Ryan de Beer captured a very good fifth place in the first heat, but unfortunately was unable to reach the finish in the second heat, so he became 12e general. Jens Walvoort, Eloy van Rijkevoorsel and Scott Smulders in turn turned 13e, 15e in 16. e. The Dutch were therefore widely represented in the 65cc class!
The next match for the European Youth Championships is on May 10 & 11 in Waechtersbach-Aufenau, Germany.
Text & Photo: Frederik 'VePix' Van Eeckhoven
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