Preview KNMV ONK Gemert.
This weekend the KNMV Open Dutch Championship for 'the big ones' starts because the Youth starts their ONK in Oldebroek on March 31. The 85cc riders are of course also youth, but because they are part of the KNMV Dutch Masters of Motocross, they also start their season early. For this opening match, a classic returns to the calendar: Gemert!
After MAC Sint Christoffel briefly disappeared from the KNMV calendar, the Brabant club now has its first major competition in the BeNeLux. The 'ONK' competitions are a championship in themselves, but are also qualifying competitions for the KNMV Dutch Masters of Motocross. The top 30 (250cc & 500cc) and top 40 (85cc & 125cc) in the standings are assured of a place on the participants list for the DMofMX!
Classic opening match
The other riders have to wait for an invitation from the KNMV MX Committee. The only riders who are assured of a place in the 'Dutch Masters' are Grand Prix riders who cannot participate in ONK competitions due to their busy calendar. With more than 350 registrations, the Wolfsbosch Circuit promises to be a strong opening of the championship.
It is of course very difficult to identify a favorite in advance, but we will try anyway. Kay de Wolf will defend his title in the 85cc. He will undoubtedly encounter resistance from Kay Kassemakers and Dave Kooiker. This trio was already in charge last year and will continue to compete in the 2018cc class in 85 due to their age.
Tension force in 125cc?
In the 125cc, eyes are on Raivo Dankers and Raf Meuwissen. Both riders are part of the KNMV Rookies and have not been idle this past winter. Dankers was injured last week, which meant he missed the Italian match in Mantova as a precaution. Meuwissen did take action there and narrowly missed the podium. The match went less well for Rick Elzinga, he broke both wrists and has to watch for the time being! Other names we can expect in Gemert are the Swedes Emil Jonrup, Emil Weckman and the Belgian Wannes van de Voorde.
'Home race' for Kay Ebben
From this year you can participate in the ONK MX250 with a 2cc 2-stroke machine, the new name of this championship is therefore; ONK250. One of the riders who will do that is Kay Ebben. This year he will compete in the ONK250 on a Van de Laar-Yamaha. Since Van de Laar Racing is located next to the circuit, Ebben will want to score high. It won't be easy because only 105 riders have registered. Whether this will all come to Gemert is of course doubtful because GP riders have also registered for the ONK.
The same applies to the ONK500 for which 67 riders have registered. After his strong performance in Le Touquet, Lars van Berkel showed that he feels good on the Husqvarna. He will have to compete against top players such as Rick Satink, Mike Gijsbertsen, Sven van der Mierden and Luca Nijenhuis. Several Belgians are on the list of participants, but a number have already indicated that they will give priority to the VLM competition in Lommel. Next week in Boekel, more Belgians will most likely be behind the starting gate.
TIMETABLE:
By: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: MAC Sint Christopher
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