EMX250: Experience against fresh blood.
Next weekend the European 250cc Championship starts at the Redsand MX Park. The EMX250 is a hurdle for most riders on the way to the maximum; the world championship. There are also riders who use this championship to gain confidence in order to participate in the World Championship again later. Mel Pocock, Valentin Guillod and Simone Furlotti have already done this in the past. Steven Clarke won the title but could not find a place in the World Championship and Nick Kouwenberg defended his title because no place in the World Championship was found.
Contenders:
Miro Sihvonen is not completely fresh blood because he has been active in EMX250 for some time. The Finn's real breakthrough failed to materialize last year due to a serious injury. For us, the Diga KTM Junior Racing rider is the favorite for the title, although his preparation has been hampered by another injury. Sihvonen will have to compete against Mathys Boisrame, Tristan Charboneau, Roan van de Moosdijk and Maxime Renaux. So Yamaha has the best chance of the title with three riders against a KTM rider and a Honda rider. The American Charboneau and Van de Moosdijk (17) from Eindhoven are teammates within the SDM-DP19 Racing Team of David Philipparts. Frenchman Renaux (17) won the FIM Junior 2015cc World Championship in 125, but then had two seasons full of injuries!
Golden Oldie:
Opposite the contenders are of course the outsiders with former champion Clarke, his teammate Freek van der Vlist and the REVO Husqvarna riders Martin Barr and Pocock! All four riders are trying to increase their market value for 2019 with a good season, but only Van der Vlist could still compete in the MX2019 World Championship in 2 because he was born in 1996.
Lowlanders:
In addition to the aforementioned Van de Moosdijk and Van der Vlist, the Dutch contribution this year is limited to Marcel Conijn and Kevin Buitenhuis. However, with four participants, the Netherlands remains well ahead of Belgium because they have no one in the EMX250! Cyril Genot was going to ride the EMX250, but we do not see him on the list of participants.
Newcomers:
New names from the 125cc class such as Mikkel Haarup, Kevin Horgmo, Brian Moreau and Junior 125cc World Champion Gianluca Facchetti! We are very curious to see what these great guys can show in this terribly tough class. Haarup will miss the first match due to a broken collarbone, but will certainly be able to show great things afterwards. We will know more on Sunday morning when the first cards of 2018 have been shuffled under the Spanish sun because fortunately the weather forecasts are better than last weekend in Valkenswaard!
By: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: #CreyMertRacing
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