ISDE: Solid start for Team Belgium
The first day of the International Six Days Enduro is over. It wasn't sensational, but that doesn't change the fact that the Belgians got off to a solid start! Led by Erik Willems, Team Belgium is currently 11th, just shy of 10th (Finland). Team Netherlands is currently 15th. Click here for the complete results.
Out of 20 participating countries, the Belgians certainly have a chance of making it into the top 10. In any case, it was a big boost for Willems, as the Husqvarna Belgium rider had been quite ill after the Swedish EnduroGP.
The high level he achieved at the previous ISDE was not yet possible today, but with a 38th place in the scratch, Erik still managed to distinguish himself. A promising start for Willems, who can still make progress in the following days.
Every detail counts
'Six Days' Rookie Dietger Damiaens (photo above) also got off to a great start. In the first two tests he ran around the 45th time. Although Dietger may have paid the price later in the day for a poor tire choice - too soft given the circumstances - there is certainly still room for improvement. In the scratch we find the talented Limburger in P50.
Experienced Thierry Pittens is in charge of the Dutch team. Pittens recorded a good 64th time in the first cross test and actually only stood out a bit in the first enduro test of the day. In the end, however, he was rewarded with a neat P67 in the scratch. E1 driver Tommie Jochens (photo below) and Max Schwarte also made it into the top 100, finishing 86th and 97th respectively.
Daan Bruijsten (P72 in the scratch) got into his rhythm better as the day progressed, which offers the Dutch team great prospects for moving up in the following days. And it must be said, the later starts of the lowlanders did not immediately play into their hands in terms of dust formation!
Lievens the flying rookie
As far as we are concerned, the other Junior rookie Henson Lievens (GasGas Belux) was the surprise of the day. Henson (photo below) did not really know what to expect, including with regard to key work under time pressure, but he still sent his GasGas to an excellent P80. And Lievens can certainly grow in this match.
Together with his teammates Mika Vanderheyden, injured in the ankle, and Dante Nijs, the Belgian Junior World Trophy is 12th in the slipstream of… Yes, Team Netherlands (Mike Bokslag, Marc Zomer, Jarno Zandbergen)! Boxing punch was the best man here, he is 81st after day one.
However this day went, a lot can still happen and there are still many kilometers on the program!
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Dina Damia's
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