Emil Weckman close to first EMX125 podium
Although KTM Diga Junior Racing only started the European season with one rider, Emil Weckman, he immediately put in a great performance. The 16-year-old Finn piloted his KTM 125SX in Valkenswaard to a 2nd and 8th place respectively. Weckman narrowly missed his very first EMX125 final podium! Emil finished on equal points with the Spaniard Mario Lucas, but a poorer second heat did him in.
Unprecedented winter conditions provided new challenges for the riders. However, Weckman did not seem to be bothered by the icy cold and piercing wind. On Saturday morning, Weckman set the fastest time of his group in his free practice. The two-time EMX150 champion then confirmed with a nice 4th place in the time training.
At the end of the day, Emil brought everything together in a strong first moto. Despite a mediocre start - around the top 10 - he rose quickly. Weckman ultimately finished second after title favorite Rene Hofer. Weckman not only recorded the fastest lap of the race, he also reduced his gap to the winner to 8,5 seconds at the line.
A less than optimal start and a hiccup on the first lap left the KTM Diga Junior Racing rider with a significant handicap in the second round. Weckman started his recovery from 24th place. He deftly navigated through the field so that he made rapid progress. Halfway through the race, Emil entered the top 10. He would reach 7th place, but unfortunately he lost the match for seventh place against the Frenchman Thibault Benistant.
The EMX125 championship continues on April 7 and 8 in Arco di Trento, Italy
Emil Weckman: "Of course I'm a little disappointed not to be on the podium. However, it's the first EMX125 round of the season and we still have seven more to go! In terms of driving, the speed was really good. I know I can win in the sand. At least with a better start and without falling! Before Valkenswaard I had set a top-3 place as a goal, so we came very close. See you on equal points!
The bike ran well and I am also on schedule in terms of fitness. We just need to train more on my starts, that's absolutely clear. On Saturday the track was very difficult and you really had to keep your mind on it. During the last lap I thought: 'wow', now it's getting very dark! I didn't mind those circumstances per se. The harder the job is, the better I like it. And I'm used to the cold of driving at home in Finland in winter. As you saw on both days, the start is very important. Conditions were a lot better on Sunday, but on Saturday there was really only one line. In the second moto the first three laps were not so good. But after the crash I got back into my rhythm and things started to get better. I'm really looking forward to the next rounds!”
EMX125 Race 1
1. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 31:57.510; 2. Emil Weckman (FIN, KTM Diga Junior Racing), +0:08.509; 3. Mario Lucas Sanz (ESP, KTM), +0:41.429; 4. Philip Olsson (SWE, Husqvarna), +0:43.912; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +1:01.345; 6. Brian van der Clej (NOW, TM), +1:02.203; 7. Emilio Scuteri (ITA, KTM), +1:03.395; 8. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), +1:07.323; 9. Lion Florian (GER, KTM), +1:31.405; 10. Raf Meuwissen (NOW, KTM), +1:34.890; 11. Leopold Ambjörnson (SWE, KTM), +1:44.782; 12. Loeka Thonies (NED, KTM), +2:09.412; 13. Arvid Lüning (SWE, Yamaha), +2:11.103; 14. Petr Polak (CZE, KTM), +1:17.195; 15. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), +2:13.674; 16. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, KTM), +2:31.459; 17. Emil Jonrup (SWE, KTM), +2:42.812; 18. Maxim Kraev (RUS, KTM), -1 lap(s); 19. Mike Gwerder (SUI, KTM), -1 lap(s); 20. Max Mausser (SLO, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s);
EMX125 Race 2
1. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 31:17.508; 2. Filip Olsson (SWE, Husqvarna), +0:29.812; 3. Petr Polak (CZE, KTM), +0:33.831; 4. Raivo Dankers (NED, KTM), +0:43.272; 5. Kjell Verbruggen (NED, KTM), +0:47.022; 6. Mario Lucas Sanz (ESP, KTM), +0:51.069; 7. Thibault Benistant (FRA, Yamaha), +0:52.204; 8. Emil Weckman (FIN, KTM Diga Junior Racing), +0:53.120; 9. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), +1:14.615; 10. Raf Meuwissen (NED, KTM), +1:24.343; 11. Emilio Scuteri (ITA, KTM), +1:28.119; 12. Emil Jonrup (SWE, KTM), +1:38.233; 13. Arvid Lüning (SWE, Yamaha), +1:39.680; 14. Marnique Appelt (GER, KTM), +1:45.297; 15. Leopold Ambjörnson (SWE, KTM), +1:46.851; 16. Loeka Thonies (NED, KTM), +1:54.976; 17. Lion Florian (GER, KTM), +1:58.561; 18. Matheo Miot (FRA, KTM), +2:01.449; 19. Mauno Nieminen (FIN, Husqvarna), +2:04.923; 20. Mike Gwerder (SUI, KTM), +2:09.101;
EMX125 Valkenswaard final standings and championship standings
1. Rene Hofer (AUT, KTM), 50 points; 2. Philip Olsson (SWE, HUS), 40 p.; 3. Mario Lucas Sanz (ESP, KTM), 35 p.; 4. Emil Weckman (FIN, KTM Diga Junior Racing), 35 p.; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 30 p.; 6. Petr Polak (CZE, KTM), 27 p.; 7. Tom Guyon (FRA, KTM), 25 p.; 8. Emilio Scuteri (ITA, KTM), 24 p.; 9. Raf Meuwissen (NOW, KTM), 22 p.; 10. Raivo Dankers (NED, KTM), 18 p.; 11. Kjell Verbruggen (DOWN, KTM), 16 p.; 12. Arvid Luning (SWE, YAM), 16 p.; 13. Leopold Ambjörnson (SWE, KTM), 16 p.; 14. Lion Florian (GER, KTM), 16 p.; 15. Brian van der Clij (DOWN, TM), 15 p.; 16. Ready Thonies (NED, KTM), 14 p.; 17. Emil Jonrup (SWE, KTM), 13 p.; 18. Marnique Appelt (GER, KTM), 7 p.; 19. Florian Miot (FRA, KTM), 6 p.; 20. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, KTM), 5 p.; 2
Photos: Eric Laurijssen
Also to read
Team HRC Honda to Portugal with Tim Gajser as the only rider
The 2024 MXGP World Championship kicks off the first of three straight races this weekend in Agueda, Portugal for the fifth round in this exciting battle. The next weekend it will…VIDEO: Roger De Coster about communication with the riders
In a video interview with Roger De Coster, the difficult start of the KTM boys in the US is discussed. It's about the set-up of the engines and how everyone...An update on Tyla van de Poel's injury
Tyla van de Poel crashed during the EMX125 in Arco di Trento and broke his tibia and fibula. Another pilot hit his front wheel on a ski jump, causing him to...Jago Geerts: “I want to come back to Lommel”
Jago Geerts is working hard to bounce back from an injury he sustained in early March during the opening race of the 2024 MXGP World Championship in Argentina. The Belgian, who at…
Your reactions