Bakens returns from injury with fun matches!
After his serious elbow injury, Robin Bakens is increasingly starting to regain his old self. With no fewer than 3 games in the last two weeks, he certainly hasn't been sitting still. It is clear that gaining competition rhythm is important after an injury and that is also what the Kawasaki pilot has done over the past two weekends.
As a fan of the French circuits, Bakens went to Bonneuil en Valois on May 8, a race that counted for the Picardy championship. There the system is such that you first have a free training, then a timed training and then two series. With a bit of luck and if the timetable allows it, they will even compete in a super final. So there is no shortage of competitive meters in these matches. In both the timed training and the heats, Bakens had a good feeling on the bike and in his elbow. In the first heat he was able to compete for first place for a whole series with the local top rider Richard Fura, which was a nice return from injury. In the second moto the start was a little slower and once he arrived in third place, Bakens started again, but getting closer to the leaders was not immediately possible. Unfortunately, there was no super final in this match because the timetable was a bit out due to circumstances.
Robin Bakens also completed his second race in Picardy, this time on the famous Plomion circuit. The system was the same as last time, free practice, timed practice and two heats plus a super final. Bakens was equally lucky during the timed training, due to a lot of drifting, the tire had come off the foam and the rear of the KX450F machine made some strange movements before Robin could calmly ride the bike to the pits. Still, the result was not bad with a 3e time. The race course was the same as the previous race in Bonneuil en Valois. Each time the Kawasaki rider was involved in a great battle, the first series for first place, the second series for second place. Bakens eventually came home in second place in the first heat and in the second heat he was also the second rider to see the checkered flag. In the super final the best riders from the 125cc, MX2 and MX1 class took the start, just before the starting gate fell it started to rain. Bakens saw this as an opportunity to take a heat victory, but once again it was a razor-sharp duel that was decided in favor of his competitor.
After all the concrete eating, Axel's Belgian National was on the program. That was a bit disappointing for Robin at first, the Waaslander who otherwise makes good progress in the sand had a hard time with the click. So he drove a 7e time together. In the first round, the pilot supported by 'hetploegske' was again in a nice duel, this time he was able to finish 7e come out of battle. In the next heat the duel was even more intense, with a group of 4-5 riders fighting for every meter. Ultimately, Bakens ended up with a 6e place. Good for a 6e place in the daily rankings.
Robin Bakens: “It was fun competitions to return to, always on a beautiful circuit and with very intensive duels. In France it was hard to eat concrete and I was able to find my way quite well, but it still took some adjustment to run the heavier MX1 engine on the hard, rocky surfaces there. But I couldn't have wished for a better return, such exciting matches, that's what you do it for. When we went to participate in the Belgian National in Axel, it was quite something to swallow. After all that riding on the hard surfaces, I couldn't immediately make the click for the sand, and on top of that it was terribly fast in Axel. One downside is that I once broke my elbow by jumping too far. That really hurt for a while and even now it is stiff and painful. This week I will not be doing any motorcycle training and on Sunday we will travel to Avesnes sur Helpe for hopefully more such great races.”
This press release was made possible by: Arai Helmets, Gaerne Boots, Putoline motorcycle oils, Twin Air, No Limit Graphics, Acerbis, Spirit suspension, REV Training, Het Ploegske, Prodeals, Bakens Motoren, Scott goggles, Gebben Motoren, Van Venrooy, Van Hasselt Exhausts, De Witte-De Cauwer fresh fruit wholesaler.
Photos: Frederik Van Eeckhoven
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