Strijbos just missed the podium in England.
It is #ThrowBackThursday Today we go back to May 31, 2004. On the Ilse of Wright Kevin Strijbos managed to score one fourth place. The Suzuki rider finished fourth during the second round of the English GP. The victory went to the New Zealander Joshua Coppins who took his first GP win.
1st heat:
The first heat of the day did not start well for Kevin who was locked up after a poor start. The 18-year-old rider had to start at the back, but he quickly rode to the front. After two laps Kevin was already in twelfth place and the right pace seems to have been found. A lap later, the former 80cc World Champion is chasing fellow countryman Bervoets who is in seventh place! Then things go wrong in the chicane and Kevin slides down. The machine stalls and the rider from Wuustwezel needs a lot of time to put the machine in neutral and restart it. He continues in 24th place, but not much later the Suzuki rider chooses to return to the paddock. “It went so well, I could pass people where I wanted. I think I was able to get to Leok, but unfortunately. I didn't see anyone riding anymore and I wanted to save myself for the second round.” said the M2R-backed rider.
2st heat:
As we are used to, Kevin started the heat well because together with fellow countryman Steve Ramon, Kevin thundered up the hill. However, it was Pichon who passed by and took over the lead from Ramon. In the third laps Ramon crashed and Kevin became the new second man. However, after more than ten minutes of the match, Coppins passes and not much later Everts also follows. In the second half of the match, teammate Smets also passed Kevin, but the 35-year-old Belgian crashed a little later. 'The New Kid' then comes back to four and rides a lonely race that he finishes in fourth place. “Not bad, but the driving slowed down a bit in the second half of the race. I am happy with the points, but those first dropouts are sad.” says Kevin after the second round at the Team Suzuki trailer built by sponsor Renders.
Next time:
The eighth match of the World Championship is next weekend in France. The competition is taking place again on the beautiful circuit of St Jean d'Angely.
By: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: RayArcher
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