Lars Van Berkel second in ONK Markelo
Vamo Honda's Lars Van Berkel put the finishing touches on yesterday during the fourth round of the ONK Motocross in Markelo. Van Berkel finished second in the MX2 class. In both heats he came second after Nick Kouwenberg.
As one of the few hard courses in the Netherlands, Markelo can be called exceptional. For the international riders, 'the Herikerberg' offered the perfect opportunity to compete against each other in the run-up to the first European MX2 GP (and EMX250) competition on April 15 and 16 in Italy. Trentino. Markelo was also Lars' first match under the watchful eye of his new trainer Gert Jan-Van Doorn. Even though he comes from Veghel, Van Doorn has plenty of experience at the highest level with seven Dutch titles and six GP victories.
Van Berkel made good progress during the timed training in the morning. Unfortunately, he fell almost immediately. With a bent steering wheel and a very short qualifying session, it was all hands on deck for Van Berkel. Fortunately, Lars managed to limit the damage with a third fastest time.
Thanks to a lightning-fast reaction at the start of the first race, the No Fear Energy athlete shot away like an arrow from a bow. Entering the first corner, Lars was a little too wide, which meant he just missed taking the holeshot. Early on he took second place after leader Roan van de Moosdijk. Just before half time Kouwenberg came alongside, but due to the retirement of van de Moosdijk, Van Berkel still finished second. At the finish the difference with Kouwenberg was just over 4 seconds.
Van Berkel's start was slower in the second moto, but the 23-year-old motocross rider now showed himself much more regularly. From 12th place the Vamo Honda rider makes his way to the front. Taking second position with five laps to go, Lars launched a final offensive. Van Berkel actually closed the 15-second gap on the leader Nick Kouwenberg. In the final lap he got to his wheel, but there was no time for an attack. Ultimately he finished second at just over a second.
Next weekend Lars will be at the start of the second round of the Dutch Masters of Motocross in Harfsen.
Lars Van Berkel: “I feel good and am quite satisfied with my match. I felt like there could have been more in the first heat, but it was a bit difficult for me to get the right rhythm. My start in the second race was less good. Still, I was able to move on well and almost caught Kouwenberg. Especially in the second half of the race I was the fastest man in the race. I now want to continue this line!”
ONK MARKELO MX2 SERIES 1
1. Nick Kouwenberg, 2. Lars Van Berkel (Vamo-Honda), 3. Noud Van Kraaij, 4. Nichlas Bjerregaard, 5. Roy Van Heugten, 6. Kay Ebben, 7. Michel Schoenmakers, 7. Noud Van Kraaij, 8. Marcel Conijn, 9. Szymon Staszkiewicz, 10. Hakon Mindreboe
ONK MARKELO MX2 SERIES 2
1. Nick Kouwenberg, 2. Lars Van Berkel (Vamo-Honda), 3. Nichlas Bjerregaard, 4. Roy Van Heugten, 5. Kay Ebben, 6. Michel Schoenmakers, 7. Noud Van Kraaij, 8. Szymon Staszkiewicz, 9. Marcel Conijn, 10. Hakon Mindreboe
ONK MARKELO MX2 FINAL STANDING
1. Nick Kouwenberg 100, 2. Lars Van Berkel (Vamo-Honda) 90, 3. Nichlas Bjerregaard 79, 4. Noud Van Kraaij 75, 5. Roy Van Heugten 74, 6. Kay Ebben 71, 7. Michel Schoenmakers 69, 8. Szymon Staszkiewicz 65, 9. Marcel Conijn 65,10. Hakon Mindreboe 62
Photos: Father Swijgers
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