Great Dutch Masters match for Van Berkel!
Vamo Honda rider Lars Van Berkel rode to a shared sixth place in the Dutch Masters of Motocross round of Harfsen. Van Berkel scored two seventh places on the Peppelenbos circuit. Teammate Micael Ivanov gained important competition experience after his injury in the first GP. In the second heat Micael finished 15th.
There was a festive atmosphere around the well-attended second round of the Dutch Masters of Motocross. However, the first warm temperatures and the difficult circuit were no fun for the riders! Lars Van Berkel had a very poor start in the first moto. The 23-year-old Veghelaar was just spotted in the top 20 at the exit of the first corner. After three laps the Let's go Honda driver has already made an appearance in the top 10.
Lars gradually managed to climb to seventh position. However, there were plenty of fireworks in the final phase. Of Iago Geerts, Jed Beaton and Van Berkel on a handkerchief, the battle for the coveted top-5 was one to die for! Lars got the most out of it but had to settle for seventh place. The three riders crossed the finish line in less than one second! Ivanov's match did not last long. After an accidental contact with another rider, his right radiator was damaged. Driving further was no longer an option for the young Bulgarian.
Van Berkel had a slightly better start in the second race. Yet he had to work hard again to come back. However, Lars quickly moved forward from his 15th position. Even now the No Fear Energy rider the spectacle. The spectators were presented with a second duel with Honda colleague Beaton. Both riders were evenly matched, but after 30 minutes and one lap the Vamo Honda rider was again flagged as seventh. The difference with Beaton was less than half a second.
Michael Ivanov started in the restart in the middle of the field. Although he is anything but a sand specialist, Ivanov did complete a regular race. From 24th in the opening round, the multiple Bulgarian champion continued to climb. He ended his day on a positive note with a decent 15th place. Next weekend the Vamo Honda team will compete in the fifth round of the FIM MX2 World Championship in Pietramurata, Italy.
Lars Van Berkel: “The riding went well, although I didn't have the best starts twice. Especially the last two laps of the first heat were very cool! I just passed Herbreteau for seventh place and I was able to drive towards Jed (Beaton) and Jago Geerts (laughing). Actually, it almost felt like a bunch sprint in cycling! In the second moto I had a slightly better start but in the first two laps I lost two places. After that I got into my rhythm and I dueled with Jed again! A few times I was able to park my motorcycle next to it, but I was unable to pass it.”
Michael Ivanov: “My race was okay. By that I of course mean the second because my first heat was almost over before it had even started. I had a good feeling with the track and the bike also ran well, although such a sandy track is certainly not my thing. Still, I'm happy that I can go back to the World Cup with some competitive rhythm in my legs. I know the track in Trentino very well and it is a nice circuit, quite special in that environment. In any case, I'm looking forward to being at the start again in a Grand Prix. My goal is to bring back points from Italy.”
MX2 first heat 1. Thomas Kjer Olsen, 2. Calvin Vlaanderen, 3. Brian Bogers, 4. Thomas Covington, 5. Jago Geerts, 6. Jed Beaton, 7. Lars Van Berkel (Vamo Honda), 8. David Herbreteau, 9. Freek van der Vlist, 10. Roy van Heugten, 11. Magné Klingsheim, 12. Anton Gole, 13. Ruben Fernandez, 14. Kay Ebben, 15. Noud van Kraaij, 16. Dylan Walsh, 17 Michel Schoenmakers, 18. Dovidas Karka, 19. Haakon Mindfreboe, 20. Nick Horsten DNF Micael Ivanov (Vamo Honda)
MX2 second round 1. Brian Bogers, 2. Calvin Vlaanderen, 3. Thomas Kjer Olsen, 4. Thomas Covington, 5. Freek van der Vlist, 6. Jed Beaton, 7. Lars Van Berkel (Vamo Honda), 8. David Herbreteau, 9. Ruben Fernandez, 10. Roy Van Heugten, 11. Jere Haavisto, 12. Kay Ebben, 13. Magné Klingsheim, 14. Dovidas Karka, 15. Micael Ivanov (Vamo Honda), 16. René De Jong, 17. Koen Gouwenberg, 18. Noud van Kraaij, 19. Lars Greekpoor, 20. Haakon Mindreboe
MX2 Final Standings Dutch Masters of Motocross Harfsen 1. Brian Bogers 45, 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen 45, 3. Calvin Vlaanderen 44, 4. Thomas Covington 36, 5. Jed Beaton 30, 6. Freek van der Vlist 28, 7. Lars Van Berkel (Vamo Honda), 28, 8. David Herbreteau 26, 9. Roy Van Heugten 22, 10. Ruben Fernandez 20, 11. Magne Klingsheim 18, 12. Jago Geerts 17, 13. Kay Ebben 16, 14. Jere Haavisto 11, Dovidas Karka 10, 16. Noud van Kraaij 9, 17. Anton Gole 9, 18. Micael Ivanov (Vamo Honda) 6, 19. René De Jong 6, 20 Koen Gouwenberg 5
Standings Dutch Masters of Motocross after two rounds 1. Brian Bogers 89, 2. Thomas Kjer Olsen 85, 3. Calvin Vlaanderen 84, 4. Freek van der Vlist 51, 6. Jed Beaton 45, 7. Jeremy Seewer 43, 8. David Herbreteau 42, 9. Lars Van Berkel 37 (Vamo Honda), 10. Thomas Covington 36, 11. Roy Van Heugten 32, 12. Miro Sihvonen 31, 13. Simone Furlotti 28, 14. Kay Ebben 22, 15. Ruben Fernandez 21, 16. Jere Haavisto 21, 17. Magne Klingsheim 20, 18 Roan van de Moosdijk 20, 19. Nick Kouwenberg 16, 20. Zach Pichon 15… 28. Micael Ivanov (Vamo Honda) 8
Photos: Huub Munsters
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