Freek and Shana van der Vlist are on a roll in Albaida
The opening race of the Spanish Championship in Albaida saw victory for the reigning MX1 and MX2 champions, José Butron and Iker Larranaga. Freek van der Vlist (4-5) finished fifth in the MX2, Jens Getteman (5-7) finished sixth in the MX1.
Familiar names at the front of the premier class in Spain. José Butron won both heats after a dominant performance. Veteran Carlos Campano (3-2) piloted his Yamaha into second place ahead of Ander Valentin (2-3) and Nil Arcarons. Valentin provided good resistance to Butron in the initial phase of the first moto, but the KTM rider was unstoppable in the closing stages.
Audiences got a similar story in MX2, but this time with Iker Larrañaga as the protagonist. The ex-Creymert rider was so dominant that he led almost all laps. Quarter-liter debutant Mario Lucas (F4E Racing KTM) left a great impression and finished second (2-3) ahead of Oriol Casas (substitute for Jumbo No Fear Vamo Honda Racing at the end of last year).
MX1
1. José Butron 50, 2. Carlos Campano 42, 3. Ander Valentin 42, 4. Nil Arcarons 36, 5. Jorge Zaragosa 31, 6. Jens Getteman 30, 7. Ferrer Bussot 26, 8. Sergio Castro 26, 9. Carlo Abel 22, 10. Francesc Mataro 21
MX2
1. Iker Larranaga 50, 2. Lucas Sanz 42, 3. Oriol Casas 38, 4. Simeo Ubach 34, 5. Freek van der Vlist 34, 6. Richard Sikyna 26, 7. Alex Gamboa, 26, 8. Petr Polak 26, Guillem Farres 25, 10. Jose Antonio Sanchez 22
In the women's race, the victory went to the Danish Sara Anderson who took victory in both heats. Shana Van der Vlist was allowed on the podium as third after a second and third place. Swiss Virginie Germond came second. Mike Bolink After crashes in both series, he had to settle for 2rd and 23nd place respectively in the MX22.
Photos: zoom-extreme
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