BK Orp-le-Grand: Desalle outclasses the competition
The big star in Orp-le-Grand, Clément Desalle, authoritatively took the double today. Desalle was simply too strong for his rivals. The Kawasaki factory rider was flanked on the podium by Shaun Simpson (Wilvo Yamaha MXGP) and a great Jeffrey Dewulf. The returning Motorshop Desmet KTM pilot Kevin Strijbos took the podium in the final series!
The organizing AMC Orp saw its race decorated with pleasant summer weather and a large public turnout for top favorite Clément Desalle. From the nice field of participants that started in Orp, only Jeremy Van Horebeek was missing. It was not clear to us why the two-time Belgian champion was absent.
This actually gave the MX-Panda free rein. After a pole position in the timed training, the sporting logic continued later in the day. Desalle took the holeshot in the first moto and dominated from start to finish. Clément also completely controlled the second series. Without really pushing, Desalle perfectly demonstrated his driving skills on the beautiful technical but difficult circuit of the Kleine Gete! Twice a former teammate finished behind Desalle…
Steve 'eternally young' Ramon surprises
In the first series, Kevin Strijbos, who had started second, took the lead. More surprising, however, was Jeffrey Dewulf's third place. The West Flemish was back in action for the first time at his unfortunate GP of Belgium and things were immediately good in terms of rhythm. Starting fifth, Dewulf was the most consistent of the pursuers and narrowly beat Shaun Simpson. Damon Graulus was fifth after a poor start.
The revival also became one of the outsiders. Ramon had started well in second and perhaps to his own surprise, the 37-year-old veteran managed to hold that place until the end. Overtaking was, as always, a challenge in Orp and some sections were also very dusty. So it was logical that drivers did not take unnecessary risks. Shaun Simpson had a mediocre start this time, but the former Belgian champion animated the match with a great catch-up race. In fifteen minutes, Shaun went from 12th to 4th and three laps before the end, not only did Dewulf fall for the axe, Simpson was stranded at the finish line, just like Ramon!
Strijbos drove quite remarkably to fifth. Even more impressive than Simpson's comeback was Damon Graulus' comeback. The 20MX Honda rider only started around the 24th position, but he still managed to put together a hell of a race. Graulus finished 7th, 4 tenths behind Yentel Martens. Ken De Dycker had a disappointing day and had to settle for tenth place.
Match within a match
It remains extremely exciting in the Belgian Championship! Dietger Damiaens and Erik Willems were also worth each other today. Both Damiaens and Willems each finished one ahead of the other. For the final on October 8, Dietger heads to the last two heats with a bonus of 11 points. Yentel Martens, 7th today, should normally be able to secure his third place in the championship. The battle for fourth place between Robin Bakens and Roy Silliën is still completely open. After all, both Bakens and Silliën have 150 points!
First round MX1
1. Clément Desalle, 2. Kevin Strijbos, 3. Jeffrey Dewulf, 4. Shaun Simpson, 5. Damon Graulus, 6. Steve Ramon, 7. Bryan Boulard, 8. Yentel Martens, 9. Jurgen Wybo, 10. Dietger Damiaens, 11. Ken De Dycker, 12. Erik Willems, 13. Roy Silliën, 14. Andy Truyts, 15. Gordano Natale, 16. Jaimy Deleersnijder, 17. Robin Bakens, 18. Gilles Tack, 19. Dimitri Pacini, 20. Jérôme Benonit
Second MX1 round
1. Clément Desalle, 2. Steve Ramon, 3. Shaun Simpson, 4. Jeffrey Dewulf, 5. Kevin Strijbos, 6. Yentel Martens, 7. Damon Graulus, 8. Jurgen Wybo, 9. Bryan Boulard, 10. 11. Ken De Dycker, 12. Roy Silliën, 13. Erik Willems, 14. Dietger Damiaens, 15. Andy Truyts, 16. Gordano Natale, 17. Robin Bakens, 18. Jaimy Deleersnijder, 19. Dimitri Pacini, 20. Donny Schmidt
Final score MX1
1 Clement DESALLE 50; 2 Shaun SIMPSON 38; 3 Jeffrey DEWULF 38; 4 Kevin STRIJBOS 38; 5 Steve RAMON 37; 6 Damon GRAULUS 30; 7 Yentel MARTENS 28; 8 Bryan BOULARD 26; 9 Jurgen WYBO 25; 10 Ken DE DYCKER 21; 11 Dietger DAMIAENS 18; 12 Roy SILLIEN 17; 13 Erik WILLEMS 17; 14 Robin BEAKENS 14; 15 Andy TRUYTS 13;…
Standings BK Motocross MX1 after 9 laps
1. Dietger Damiaens 260, 2. Erik Willems 249, 3. Yentel Martens 174, 4. Robin Bakens 150, 5. Roy Silliën 150, 6. Ken De Dycker 126, 7. Cedric Grobben 121, 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek 97, 9. Jérémy Delincé 94, 10. Kevin Strijbos 90, 11. Kenny Vandueren 84, 12. Axel Van de Sande 83, 13. Arminas Jasikons 81, 14. Jaimy Deleersnijder 75, 15. René Ranniko 74, 16. Damon Graulus 74, 17. Nolan Cordens 71, 18. Jeffrey Dewulf 69, 19. Cyril Genot 63, 20. Joey Smet 58
Photos: Plan-B
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