Brent Van Doninck is gaining momentum again
The ninth round of the Motocross World Championship was a tough assignment for many riders. The altitude (1000m above sea level), little rest between the GPs and the treacherous concrete-hard track was also a major challenge for Gebben Van Venrooy's MXGP trio.
Brent van Doninck (11th): “In the first moto I got a pretty good start and was able to start the race around ninth place. I soon managed to overtake the eighth man, but another rider then managed to pass me again. Due to a few mistakes I lost my rhythm a little bit. I fell back to tenth place and managed to maintain this position. The riding was ok, but I'm still a little disappointed about the mistakes I made. In the second moto I got a good start but went too wide in the first corner and ended up around sixteenth. It was tough because I had no energy at all. I don't know why I felt so empty. I finished the heat and finished fifteenth. It was two tough GPs for me with only two days of rest, riding at altitude made it tough on the body. I am back on the right path because due to the broken ribs it was a difficult period to only participate to get points. These two GPs weren't bad and I'm riding as best I can again. I will now take some rest to prepare myself for Riola and the MX of Nations.”
Calvin Flanders (18th): “It was a disappointing day for me. I had a good feeling all day but unfortunately I couldn't complete it due to the bad luck I had in the heats. With a seventh place I had good time training. In the first moto I had a terrible first lap. I was held up a number of times and came out of the top twenty on the first lap. Still, I managed to come back to thirteenth place. In the second moto I got a good start but riding in the top ten I crashed because I jumped into a loose section somewhere. I wanted to continue but my throttle handle was broken. I am very disappointed but I will take the positive into the next match. I know I have the speed and fitness to complete the picture. I am healthy and looking forward to the next GP." Commentary Kevin Strijbos (20th in the daily rankings): "I had a hard time. In the first moto I got a good start but I made a few mistakes in the first laps and couldn't get into my rhythm. Towards the end of the match things got a little better but not great. In the second moto I felt bad and had no energy. I had a hard time on the track and it was a drama. I'm not happy but let's move on to the next game."
Kevin Strijbos (20th): "I was having a hard time. In the first moto I got a good start but I made a few mistakes in the first laps and couldn't get into my rhythm. Towards the end of the match things got a little better but not great. In the second moto I felt bad and had no energy. I had a hard time on the track and it was a drama. I'm not happy but let's move on to the next game."
Photos: shotbyBavo
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