KEMEA Yamaha Official MX team: GP14 Lommel, Belgium
The Lommel motocross circuit was renamed Lommel beach last weekend. Nice weather (except for a heavy downpour) combined with the deep loose sand evoked a holiday feeling in everyone. However, nothing could be further from the truth for the drivers. For them, this was the toughest match of the season and had been circled on the calendar with a large red dot for some time.
Lommel is the home match for the team and also the ideal opportunity to invite friends, family and sponsors. It was nice and busy under the KEMEA tent because all the riders of the team were in action this weekend.
For Brent Vandoninck and Maxime Renaux this was the first match after their injury. Maxime started riding again three weeks ago, while Brent only rode the bike three times in the week before. Karlis, who replaced Brent in the previous races, started in the MX2 European Championship in KEMEA colors.
Karlis surprised everyone with a lightning start in the first moto. He moved into the lead on the second lap and rode very fast. However, he was unable to maintain this position and fell to seventh place, just behind Maxime, who had made a strong catch-up race after starting well outside the top 10. In the last lap both crashed and lost some places. Maxime crossed the line in ninth and Karlis finished 16th.
In the second moto, Sabulis crashed hard after a few laps when he was in ninth place. He was hit by the motorcycle and had to go to hospital for further examination after the hard impact. Fortunately, everything turned out to be fine and Karlis was allowed to go home.
Maxime had a bad start and had to come back from far away. 2 laps from the end he was in 8th place. However, he crashed and dropped to 15th place. Renaux finished tenth in the final standings.
Maxime Renaux: “ Lommel was not exactly the easiest race to return to after an injury... The circuit was really tough and after a bad time I did not have the best starting position for the races. However, I was able to return to the top 10 twice and felt good. However, in the first heat I was passed quite hard in the last lap and fell, and in the second heat I also crashed into the ground in the final phase and did not get away immediately. The balance is ultimately quite positive. The speed and physical condition were fine, my injury was no longer bothering me, but the results were a bit disappointing. Hopefully things will be better in Switzerland!
Karlis Sabulis: “I'm not feeling too good right now, but it could have been worse. I'm in pain all over and have a concussion. The doctor advised me to sleep and rest a lot now. The weekend actually started quite well, but I don't have much experience in the heavy sand and so made a lot of mistakes. In the second heat the bike stopped just before a double and I crashed hard. Too bad, but I would like to thank everyone for their support!
In the MX2 class Brent and Benoit showed their good form with a fourth and eighth place in qualifying. At the start of the first series, both KEMEA drivers were well at the front. Wheel in wheel, they rode well with the leaders in fourth and fifth. In the final phase they both moved up one place and started a final offensive to take second place. However, Brent crashed in the penultimate lap. He couldn't get the engine running and had to leave the race. Benoit finished strongly in third.
In the second moto disaster struck again for Vandoninck. After another strong start, he was halfway through in fifth place when he crashed. He lost a lot of time and left the match. Benoit crossed the finish line in 1th place after 14 lap and started a strong recovery. He returned strongly to seventh place and finished fifth in the final standings.
Benoit Paturel: “ I am quite satisfied with my results. I finished in the top 3 for the first time in a tough sand competition. This proves that hard work pays off. We have worked hard this year to improve the physique and the bike and are seeing the results. This was the toughest race of the year and I would like to thank my trainer Jacky and the mechanics for the hard work!”
Brent Vandoninck: “ Lommel is the toughest circuit in the world and I only got back on the bike last week, but I definitely wanted to ride my home GP. That's always something special and I didn't want to miss it. The speed was good, but physically I was really at my limit. Unfortunately, those falls threw a spanner in the works. I will probably be quite stiff when I get up tomorrow and I will need a few days to recover... But I am happy to be back and it is important to get my physique back on track. Next week in Switzerland I will already be stronger and I will continue working.”
Valentin Guillod also had a difficult weekend in Lommel. The MXGP rookie finished 16th in the qualifying heat on Saturday and also struggled with the tough course on Sunday. The Swiss finished 18th in both heats. He crashed in both the first and second series and lost all rhythm. He finished 19th in the final standings, but retained seventh place in the World Cup standings.
Valentin Guillod : “A really difficult weekend here in Lommel. The course was very tough and I couldn't find a good flow to get through the pits. I made a lot of mistakes and never had a good feeling. A weekend to quickly forget. I'm already looking forward to next week for my home GP. That gives extra motivation to perform well. The surface will also suit me better so I hope for a good weekend!”
Photos @shotbybavo & @cdsimages
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