Preview BK Motocross Orp-Le-Grand August 27
This weekend Orp-Le-Grand will host the 9th round of the Belgian Motocross Championship. Almost all Belgian top players are present in the picturesque Walloon Brabant village! Clément Desalle, Jeremy Van Horebeek, Kevin Strijbos, Ken De Dycker, Damon Graulus, Steve Ramon and Shaun Simpson will be at the start. Not to mention Dietger Damiaens and Erik Willems battling for the MX1 title!
The combination of natural elements, the spectacular, technical section along the hillside and over the Kleine Gete combined with modern influences make Orp-le-Grand unique in the world. Moreover, we can expect many top riders on the 'little Citadel'. Clément Desalle (Monster Energy Kawasaki) does not participate in many competitions in its own country. However, when the MX-Panda is at the start, it goes for the win! The factory Kawasaki rider has already won twice in Orp. His main opponent will probably be... Jeremy Van Horebeek (Monster Energy Yamaha). 'The Jerre' also won in Orp-Le-Grand, just like Ken Dycker (24MX Honda) who has already stood on the highest podium twice in this classic.
Last year Kevin Strijbos (Suzuki World MXGP) on the Kleine Gete circuit the podium after Desalle and Paulin. Closer to home, Strijbos offered strong resistance against Van Horebeek in Gooik. With a good start, 'The Kid' could certainly surprise. The same can be said for Shaun Simpson (Wilvo Yamaha MXGP). He was still cautious on the Keiheuvel where he made his return, but in the GP of Sweden Braveheart already showed that the tandem Simpson-2018 YZ450F clicks! Also the level of form Damon Graulus (24MX Honda) is again on the rise. Last year he finished fourth in Orp, but a podium finish would certainly add shine to his season!
Tension in the Motocross Championships
It could be very busy on Sunday for the places of honour. Good old Steve Ramon doesn't seem to show signs of wear and tear! The two-time world champion took victory in Orp-Le-Grand in 2004(!) and is still a contender for the top 5. But the established Belgian values could well be joined by the upcoming young talents. Dietger Damiaens (DAM Racing KTM) leads the Belgian Championship and is currently 11 points ahead of the season revelation Erik Willems. After Orp-Le-Grand there is the BC final in Veldhoven on September 24. The final straight line has now begun, with a total of 100 points still to be earned!
Both Erik and Dietger have already shown fantastic performances this year, but that can certainly be said of Yentel Martens. Martens rode around with great ease both on the Keiheuvel and in Wachtebeke. Also Robin Bakens en Roy Sillien will want to distinguish themselves in this select group. Jeffrey Dewulf, who had an unfortunate GP of Belgium, has recovered from his injuries and will make his return in Orp.
The only notable absentee this weekend is Jérémy Delincé. The winner of Orp-Le-Grand in 2015 will compete in the penultimate round of the ADAC MX Masters in Gaildorf this weekend.
Standings BK Motocross MX1
1 | 64 | Dietger DAMIAENS | 260 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 18 | 30 | 15 | 16 | 31 | 14 | 16 | 30 | 14 | 18 | 32 | 25 | 22 | 47 | 22 | 22 | 44 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 24 |
2 | 98 | Erik WILLEMS | 249 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 36 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 20 | 18 | 38 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 25 | 20 | 45 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 13 | 9 | 22 |
3 | 20 | Yentel MARTENS | 174 | 86 | 75 | 25 | 22 | 47 | 25 | 25 | 50 | x | x | x | 25 | 25 | 50 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 11 | 16 | 27 |
4 | 42 | Robin BAKENS | 150 | 110 | 24 | x | x | x | 11 | 10 | 21 | x | x | x | 15 | 14 | 29 | 15 | 18 | 33 | 14 | 25 | 39 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 14 |
5 | 81 | Roy SILLIEN | 150 | 110 | 0 | 15 | 12 | 27 | 12 | 12 | 24 | 12 | 14 | 26 | x | x | x | 14 | 16 | 30 | 18 | 14 | 32 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
6 | 9 | Know DE DYCKER | 126 | 134 | 24 | 18 | 25 | 43 | x | x | x | 22 | 20 | 42 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 11 | 15 | 26 | 0 | 15 | 15 |
7 | 95 | Cedric GROBBEN | 121 | 139 | 5 | 20 | 15 | 35 | 22 | 20 | 42 | x | x | x | 22 | 22 | 44 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
8 | 89 | Jeremy VAN HOREBEEK | 97 | 163 | 24 | x | x | x | x | x | x | 25 | 25 | 50 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 22 | 25 | 47 | x | x | x |
9 | 26 | Jérémy DELINCE | 94 | 166 | 3 | x | x | x | 16 | 15 | 31 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 20 | 18 | 38 | 12 | 13 | 25 |
10 | 22 | Kevin STRIJBOS | 90 | 170 | 4 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 25 | 22 | 47 | 18 | 25 | 43 |
Mark Boot Belgian MX2 champion?
At the Inters MX2, MC Mikkola's Mark Boot leads the rankings. The sympathetic Zeelander therefore has a street lead. Since several MX2 strongmen (Tomas Kohut, Yannick Heylen) will compete in the ADAC this weekend, it remains to be seen who will ride in the quarter-litre class in Orp-Le-Grand.
1 | 37 | Mark BOOT | 250 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 18 | 38 | 20 | 15 | 35 | 25 | 25 | 50 | 14 | 25 | 39 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
2 | 93 | Jago GEERTS | 191 | 59 | 59 | 25 | 25 | 50 | 25 | 25 | 50 | x | x | x | x | x | x | 25 | 22 | 47 | x | x | x | 22 | 22 | 44 | x | x | x |
3 | 71 | Karka DOVYDAS | 177 | 73 | 14 | x | x | x | 16 | 20 | 36 | x | x | x | x | x | x | 18 | 16 | 34 | 22 | 25 | 47 | 10 | 16 | 26 | 16 | 18 | 34 |
4 | 977 | Tomás KOHÚT | 126 | 124 | 51 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 20 | 25 | 45 | 25 | 22 | 47 | x | x | x | 14 | 20 | 34 |
5 | 8 | Tim LOUIS | 126 | 124 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 28 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 12 | 12 | 24 | 18 | 18 | 36 | 11 | 15 | 26 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
6 | 472 | Glenn MEIER | 99 | 151 | 27 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 16 | 18 | 34 | 20 | 20 | 40 | 12 | 13 | 25 | x | x | x |
7 | 74 | Yannick HEYLEN | 98 | 152 | 1 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 22 | 22 | 44 | x | x | x | x | x | x | 18 | 12 | 30 | 9 | 15 | 24 |
8 | 17 | Brent VAN DONINCK | 94 | 156 | 4 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 25 | 25 | 50 | 22 | 22 | 44 |
9 | 94 | Bryan ANGELS | 89 | 161 | 5 | x | x | x | 14 | 0 | 14 | 22 | 22 | 44 | 15 | 16 | 31 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
10 | 142 | Jere HAAVISTO | 86 | 164 | 3 | 22 | 20 | 42 | 22 | 22 | 44 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
Photos: Kawasaki Media, YRC, Plan B
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