VLM Helchteren: Grobben wins – Vromans surprised!
Cedric Grobben (intro photo) made a return through the main gate in Helchteren today. At the Inters MX1, Grobben was the fastest twice. In the final series he had to put up with MX2 star Dieter Vromans after a mistake. After all, Vromans left the entire field behind him. Grobben was joined on the MX1 podium by Kenny Janssens and an excellent Kristof Salaets.
Fortunately, there was no mud and, apart from some grease in the paddock, the riders could count on a bone-dry race! The fact that the sun and the audience were also present turned out to be a nice bonus for the organizing MC De Vrijheid. In total today, around 300 riders were behind the starting gate. The opener could easily be called a success.
Lead starter Jens Van Meer almost seemed to cause a surprise in his very first series on the KTM. Van Meer managed to outrun his attackers, but an impressive Cedric Grobben put things in order after 4 rounds. The returning Limburger eventually won with a 2 second lead over Van Meer! Behind the leaders, champion Kenny Janssens and Wouter Van Massenhoven completed a regular race. They finished third and fourth respectively, ahead of Kristof Salaets who also got off to a solid start in his first race of the season. Deitger Damiaens crashed at the start together with several other riders.
Both just starting in the top 10, Greg Smets and Jelle Grade fought their way to the front. De Smekke just held off Jelle for sixth place. Dieter Vromans steered his KTM to a nice overall pole in the morning. In the opening round, the Arendon native had to give up on the Austrian ex-MX2 champion Michael Kratzer. Dennis Wagemans came third after Vromans. Guest driver Roy Sillien went hasty after a great start and finished fifteenth.
First for Vromans
Overtaking was not easy everywhere, making the start in Helchteren extremely important. Grobben did not have the best reaction at the gate, but he did dive headfirst into the first left. Behind him: Kenny Janssens, Steven de Beuckelaer, MC De Vrijheid's own Martijn Vermijl. Vromans was also good this time. Grobben wasted no time and immediately introduced the forcing. However, on the second lap in a sneaky, short left turn he choked. This gave Vromans and Janssens a free job. After a few laps, the Paesen Trucks – KTM rider had pushed past Janssens to immediately increase the pressure on Vromans. This gave the audience a spectacular denouement. Grobben came close, but in the end BeTeMo rider Vromans held on! Dieter still had 0,8 seconds left at the finish. Salaets now did one place better and finished fourth! Despite a poor start, Damiaens managed to limit the damage. Dietger did set the fastest lap of the race and finished fifth, less than 2 seconds behind Salaets.
All results here
RACE 1
1. Cedric Grobben, 2. Jens Van Meer, 3. Kenny Janssens, 4. Wouter Van Massenhoven, 5. Kristof Salaets, 6. Greg Smets, 7. Jelle Grade, 8. Michael Kratzer, 9. Jerome Benonit, 1o. Dietger Damiaens
RACE 2
1. Dieter Vromans, 2. Cedric Grobben, 3. Kenny Janssens, 4. Kristof Salaets, 5. Dietger Damiaens, 6. Steven Debeuckelaer, 7. Roy Sillien, 8. Wouter Van Massenhoven, 9. Greg Smets, 10. Michael Kratzer
Final score MX1
1. Cedric Grobben 50, 2. Kenny Janssens 42, 3. Kristof Salaets 36, 4. Jens Van Meer 34, 5. Wouter Van Massenhoven 32, 6. Dietger Damiaens 30, 7. Greg Smets 28, 8. Roy Sillien 25, 9. Steven Debeuckelaer 25, 1o. Kenzo Buys 19
Final score MX2
1. Dieter Vromans 47, 2. Michael Kratzer 47, 3. Bryan Engelen 38, 4. Brent Aerden 30, 5. Dennis Wagemans 30, 6. Rob Konings 27, 7. Sven Scheynen 26, 8. Kevin Schellens 26, 9. Martin Vermile 26, 1o. Jelle Verbruggen 24
Photos: Dieter Jans
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