KEMEA Yamaha Official MX2 Race Report, GP6 Valkenswaard, Netherlands
The Valkenswaard GP may take place in the Netherlands, but in a way this is also a home GP for the KEMEA Yamaha team. Valkenswaard is only a few kilometers away from the workshop, so there will be many fans, sponsors and friends walking around the paddock this weekend.
After a difficult GP last weekend in Italy, the riders were keen to put in a great performance on the sandy track this weekend. However, underneath the sand layer there is a fairly hard layer, which makes for a treacherous and difficult course, especially on Sunday afternoon.
After the qualifying race, Benoit was awarded the best starting position for Sunday's races with eighth place. Alvin and Brent followed a little further in 13th and 14th place. Not the best way to start the weekend, but ultimately the points will be awarded on Sunday.
In the first series the three KEMEA drivers had a poorer start and were far outside the top 10. Brent found some good lines in the initial phase and managed to pass a lot of riders in the first laps. He eventually came back strong to fifth place. Benoit was able to slip along with Brent in the early stages and returned to seventh place. Alvin finished 11th in this first heat.
In the second race of the day Brent had a better start this time and immediately rode into the top 10. Just like in the first moto, the Belgian was very fast and showed a great drive to get to the front. He soon found himself in third place and tried to reach Seewer's rear wheel, but just missed it. However, this place was enough to reach the third step of the podium. The second podium of his career and the second podium for the KEMEA team this season.
Benoit came through in 17th place after the first lap and once again had a long way to go. This time the Frenchman came back to 9th place and finished 7th in the final standings of the GP. In the World Championship standings he remains in fifth place, just ahead of Brent in sixth place.
Alvin crossed the line in 13th place after a difficult race while he cannot yet fully rely on his strength. He finished 100th in the final standings and climbs to 11th in the standings.
The next match will take place in Riga, Latvia, in two weeks.
Brent Vandoninck: “In the first series I had to give a lot of energy to get back to fifth place. Fortunately, my start in the second heat was better and I quickly reached third place. I tried to follow Seewer but he was a little faster. It was a difficult weekend but I'm so happy to be on the podium. After the difficult year last year, this is a reward for the hard work. I would like to thank everyone from the team and the people around me for their support. I'm already looking forward to Latvia, where we will have a similar circulation. Hopefully we will continue this trend!”
Benoit Paturel: “ This weekend was already slightly better than last week, but the results are not what we expected so I am not satisfied with this. We continue to struggle with the starts, so we have to work hard on this in the coming weeks.”
Alvin Ostlund: “I am satisfied with the weekend. This circuit suits me very well and I always enjoy myself in Valkenswaard. But I haven't ridden much in the sand in recent weeks and after a while I got really tired, especially in my shoulder. But I managed to ride two decent series, so I am satisfied with this and we can continue to work.”
Photos @cdsimages
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