VLM: Double win for Grobben in Lommel
After his final victory last week, Cedric Grobben once again left his mark on the competition. He was the strongest in both heats. A regular Dietger Damiaens (3-4) was second on the podium, ahead of Jens Van Meer (4-3). Ken De Dycker was the unlucky man of the day. After a second place in the opener, he had to retire prematurely with a broken wheel.
Cedric Grobben was in the lead from start to finish in the first round of the VLM cross in Lommel. The Volvo Trucks Paesen driver was in the lead and never relinquished the lead! Grobben led every lap and crossed the line with a 2 second bonus on Ken De Dycker, Dietger Damiaens was third.
Difficult conditions in the morning due to freezing cold and the first race was also completed in sunny but cold weather. Grobben certainly didn't let it get to his heart. Over the 21 minutes plus one lap, Cedric stood out. He also set the fastest lap in the race. Favorite and pole sitter Ken De Dycker impressed with a great catch-up race. From 10th place he pushed hard and rode to second place after three laps. Damiaens followed at a considerable distance in third.
Great work by Glenn Bielen in the MX2. Bielen had started well and held off the Austrian Kratzer. Bryan Engelen was the third MX2 rider - we mean 250 rider - behind Kratzer. Rob Konings, who was the fastest 250 rider in the morning, crossed the line in fourth place ahead of the indomitable Sven Breugelmans.
Grobben wins animated second series
In the first heat the course was very fast and, by Lommel standards, as flat as a billiard table. De Dycker was now well away and stormed to the front. The party didn't last long for Keeno because he soon noticed that something was wrong with his wheel. Ultimately the front wheel turned out to be broken and there was no other option than to give up on the third lap. This is how Jens Van Meer took over command. The BeTeMo rider with number 27 had good weather for two laps, then it was the turn of holeshot Grobben who had recovered well after an early mistake. Grobben placed the tendon on it and thus created a gap in Van Meer.
However, the man of the final phase was Wouter Van Massenhoven who ran his turbo diesel at full speed. Van Massenhoven almost set his fastest lap with three laps to go. This is how Wouter came to second place, but teammate Van Meer squeezed out a final offensive. Jens was back on track and a super fast last lap brought him close to Van Massenhoven. Ultimately he had to settle for third place, but the Beersen native did take his first podium of the season.
In turn, Jens was chased by BMB MX1 champion Dietger Damiaens! This way, not only were the first four within five seconds, only a few seconds further was Greg Smets who finished fifth. Jelle Grade now achieved his best result of the day with a neat 6th place. Breugelmans proved his class with victory in the 250 and 7th overall for Konings and Engelen. Immediately, 'den Breugel' was also able to give the organizing club the overall victory in the MX2 for Rob Konings and Bryan Engelen.
All results here
Inters 250/500 Race 1
1. Cedric Grobben
2. Ken De Dycker
3. Dietger Damiaens
4. Greg Smets
5. Jens Van Meer
6. Roy Sillien
7. Kristof Salaets
8. Glenn Bielen
9. Michael Scratch
10. Wouter Van Massenhoven
11. Bryan Angels
12. Rob Kings
13. Sven Breugelmans
14. Jerome Benonit
15. Frederik Daenen
16. Martijn Vermile
17. Jelle Grade
18. Dieter Vromans
19. David Foguenne
20. Brent Aerden
Inters 250/500 Race 2
1. Cedric Grobben
2. Wouter Van Massenhoven
3. Jens Van Meer
4. Dietger Damiaens
5. Greg Smets
6. Jelle Grade
7. Sven Breugelmans
8. Rob Kings
9. Bryan Angels
10. Kevin Van Geldrop
11. Frederik Daenen
12.Jerome Benonit
13. Kristof Salaets
14. Michael Scratch
15. Kevin Vangenechten
16. Sven Wouters
17. Martijn Vermile
18. Brent Aerden
19. David Foguenne
20. Arno Van Mieghem
Inters 500 final standings
1. Cedric Grobben 50
2. Dietger Damiaens 38
3. Jens Van Meer 36
4. Wouter Van Massenhoven 35
5. Greg Smets 34
6. Jelle Grade 25
7. Kristof Salaets 25
8. Frederik Daenen 24
9. Jerome Benonit 24
10. Roy Sillien 22
Inters 250 final standings
1. Sven Breugelmans 41
2. Rob Konings 40
3. Bryan Engelen 40
4. Michael Scratch 40
5. Martijn Vermile 31
Photos: John Oostvogels/Motoxpics
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