VLM: Van Meer dominates in Vorselaar!
Today the first round of the VLM championship for the Newcomers Open B and C, Masters, Nationals Open, sidecar and the Inters was completed in Vorselaar. Jens Van Meer won the organization of MC De Stroeckxvrienden in the 500 class ahead of Jilani Cambré and Steven De Beuckelaer. Kristof Scheynen was fastest in the 250.
A total of 35 Inters were present for the first championship test. Jens Van Meer rode to pole in muddy conditions in the morning. Van Meer was 1,9 seconds faster than Jilani Cambré. From third place, Jonathan Banken to 7th place Kristof Salaets everyone was in the same second!
Steven De Beuckelaer shoots out of the starting blocks like a rocket, but Jens Van Meer wasted no time! Jens quickly took over the lead and immediately pushed through. The BeTeMo rider squeezed out a strong second lap after which he systematically built up his lead. Behind Van Meer it was more exciting with De Beuckelaer Janssens, Cambré and Grade close together. However, Cambré had the best credentials and became “best of the rest”. De Beuckelaer, who finished 5th in the MX1 championship last year, finished third ahead of a regular Jelle Grade.
Club pilot Kristof Scheynen rode a hell of a race in the 250. After an excellent start, he stayed in the rhythm and was even 6th overall for a long time. Ultimately Kristof finished 8th and first 250 rider. Jelle Verbruggen finished second while favorite Banken had to settle for 12th after a bad start, putting him third in the 250.
Home victory for Kristof Scheynen!
The second heat was also a success for Jens Van Meer. The 2017 vice champion used the same recipe as in the first round. He quickly took the lead, set the fastest time of the race on the second lap and would remain unthreatened. Still, Jens had to watch his step because Cambré was now also quickly at the front! Jilani kept just about the same pace as Van Meer. At the finish the difference was now less than 6 seconds. Fast starter Kenny Janssens did not have a hard time getting into his rhythm as in the first moto and dropped to third place. He would eventually come in 4th after Wouter Van Massenhoven matched the reigning champion half the race. A very regular Steven De Beuckelaer was 5th throughout the race and saw his day rewarded with a final podium!
Even though the circuit was slightly drier for the second round, there were still heavy ruts. MX2 champion showed in the recap that he is still the reference in the 250. Banken was now well away and crossed the line in 6th. Once again, Kristof Scheynen delivered a great performance. Kristof set almost identical lap times to those of Banken and not only finished 8th overall, he also took the 250 overall victory. Jelle Verbruggen repeated his 10th place from race 1 and finished third on the 250 podium.
The next VLM championship match for the Inters will take place in Arendonk in two weeks!
All today's results here.
Inters Race 1
1. Jens Van Meer
2. Jilani Cambre
3. Steven De Beuckelaer
4. Jelle Grade
5. Kenny Janssens
6. Kevin Van Geldrop
7. Wouter Van Massenhoven
8. Kristof Scheynen*
9. Christof Godrie
10. Jelle Verbruggen*
Inters Race 1
1. Jens Van Meer
2. Jilani Cambre
3. Wouter Van Massenhoven
4. Kenny Janssens
5. Steven De Beuckelaer
6. Jonathan Banks
7. Jelle Grade
8. Kristof Scheynen*
9. Kenzo Buys
10. Jelle Verbruggen*
Final score 500
1. Jens Van Meer 50
2. Jilani Cambré 44
3. Steven De Beuckelaer 36
4. Wouter Van Massenhoven 34
5. Kenny Janssens 34
6. Jelle Grade 33
7. Kevin Van Geldrop 28
8. Kenzo Buys 24
9. Frederik Daenen 24
10. Tom Cuyvers 21
Final score 250
1. Kristof Scheynen 47
2. Jonathan Banks 45
3. Jelle Verbruggen 42
4. Rob Konings 36
5. Martijn Vermile 28
6. Dieter Vromans 26
7. Arno Van Mieghem 26
8. Jordi Van Mieghem 25
9. Enzo Aerden 24
10. Brent Aerden 23
Photos: BrentMXpics & Dieter Jans
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