VLM: Cedric Grobben wins prestige battle in Genk!
On the Horensbergdam it was all about championship points for the VLM Beloften, Nieuwelingen 250, Nieuwelingen C Open and both Inters categories. There were a lot of heavy guns in both the 250 and 500. Cedric Grobben (2-1) was the strongest in the half-liters. Romain Delbrasinne (2-1) took the win in the 250cc.
The big absentee in Genk was of course Wouter Van Massenhoven, who fell during training in Genk on Wednesday. In his unfortunate crash - probably due to chain fracture - Van Massenhoven suffered a severe concussion, a bruised shoulder, elbow and ribs and many abrasions. This meant that there was one less major contender, but with guest driver Miro Sihvonen the audience did get to see an extra winner!
In the timed training, Grobben immediately made his intentions clear with pole. Dietger Damiaens, Roy Sillien and Bryan Engelen all clocked a lap less than 0,9 seconds behind the SHR Motorsports/Bagger Paul driver. The differences in the matches were also very small, as was often the case in Genk! However, the opener of the day seemed to go to Sillien. The MC De Buiting leader was in the lead, but saw the victory slip through his fingers due to a mistake a few laps before the end. Veteran Seronval was in excellent form and saw his opportunity. The multiple MCLB champion won ahead of Van Meer, Grobben and Damiaens. In the revival it was Sillien again who shot away like a devil out of a box on his Yamaha. Glenn Bielen, Cedric Grobben, Kristof Salaets and Dietger Damiaens were in his wheel. In the end, Grobben turned out to have the longest breath because he beat Sillien. Sihvonen, who had a poor start, was the spectacle maker and came back to three. Seronval, who also had a bad start, now had to settle for sixth place.
Just like in the 500cc, the specialists on the hard tracks got their money's worth. And not coincidentally also the French-speaking drivers! Greg Smets managed to take pole, but in the first round it seemed as if the BeTeMo rider was still suffering from some championship stress! Veteran Jonathan Banken came out ahead of ex EMX150 rider Romain Delbrasinne, good for the fastest lap of the race, and Smets. At first glance, the second heat was one with little story as Delbrasinne grabbed the holeshot and was in the lead from start to finish. In the final phase, however, Smets emerged dangerously. Greg had completely missed his start and was now able to ride freely. An unleashed Smets fought his way forward and ended up barely 0,4 seconds behind Delbrasinne. Reigning champion Banken was disappointed as he had to deal with mechanical problems, but he still managed to finish third.
All results here
Inters 500cc Race 1
1. Steve Seronval, 2. Jens Van Meer, 3. Cedric Grobben, 4. Dietger Damiaens, 5. Roy Sillien, 6. Glenn Bielen, 7. Miro Sihvonen, 8. Bryan Engelen, 9. Kristof Salaets, 10. Bram Valckx
Inters 500cc Race 2
1. Cedric Grobben, 2. Roy Sillien, 3. Miro Sihvonen, 4. Jens Van Meer, 5. Dietger Damiaens, 6. Steve Seronval, 7. Bryan Engelen, 8. Glenn Bielen, 9. Kristof Salaets, 10. Steven De Beuckelaer
Final score Inters 500cc
1. Cedric Grobben 45, 2. Jens Van Meer 40, 3. Steve Seronval 40, 4. Roy Sillien 38, 5. Miro Sihvonen, 6. Dietger Damiaens, 7. Glenn Bielen, 8. Bryan Engelen, 9. Kristof Salaets, 10. Bram Valckx
Inters 250cc Race 1
1.Jonathan Banken, 2. Romain Delbrasinne, 3. Greg Smets, 4. Jordi Van Mieghem, 5. Bram Schoepen, 6. Jordy Kenzeler, 7. Kristof Scheynen, 8. Jimmy Vandeputte, 9. Dieter Vromans, 10. Jack Bintcliffe
Inters 250cc Race 2
1. Romain Delbrasinne, 2. Greg Smets, 3. Jonathan Banken, 4. Kristof Scheynen, 5. Jack Bintcliffe, 6. Jordy Kenzeler, 7. Bram Schoepen, 8. Kevin Schellens, 9. Michael Hool, 10. Dieter Vromans
Final score Inters 250cc
1. Romain Delbrasinne 47, 2. Jonathan Banken 45, 3. Greg Smets 42, 4. Kristof Scheynen 32, 5. Jordy Kenzeler 30, 6. Bram Schoepen 30, 7. Jack Bintcliffe 27, 8. Dieter Vromans 28, 9. Kevin Schellens 22, 10. Jordi Van Mieghem 22
Photos: At home Max
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