Valkenswaard GP Results
VALKENSWAARD (THE NETHERLANDS), 6 April 2008 – The opening Grand Prix of the 2008 season at Valkenswaard, being visited by 26000 fans during this first weekend of April, run under good weather conditions despite the negative weather forecast, though the track was not completely dry and made today’s races a tough test for the riders.
Ken de Dycker took his second career GP win, which was his first double heat win. In MX2 Tyla Rattray came back to victory after a long absence, with the South African dominating both heats.
MX1
Ken de Dycker of Teka Suzuki WMX1’s made it a superb day for himself and the team, as he collected the victory in both heats at his first GP with his new squad. The latter brought home a one-two podium result, as defending MX1 World Champion Steve Ramon –who had missed training this week due to a flu- ended a positive second. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Max Nagl completed the podium after his last and maiden appearance in Bellpuig 2007. Billy Mackenzie of CAS Honda ended fourth overall, being the best factory Honda finisher as the manufacturer reinforced its presence into the series this year, providing the CAS and Martin teams with factory machinery. David Philippaerts and Joshua Coppins of Yamaha Monster Motocross rounded off the top six.
The start to the MX1 first heat
MX1 RACE 1
In the opening heat De Dycker took the lead right from lap one, moving past holeshotter Nagl and Mackenzie. Ken pulled away with the lead for a dominant victory, leaving runner up Nagl with a gap of more than seven seconds. Mackenzie had good chances for a runner up finish but crashed and finished tenth, as he lost extra time when another rider hit him while he was picking up the bike. Philippaerts moved past Coppins for third but hit the Kiwi who crashed and dropped down to an eventual sixth. The Italian was then passed by Ramon in the final lap, ending fourth with Ramon third. Manuel Priem rounded off the top five.
Ken de Dycker rode two incredibly strong heats today
MX1 RACE 2
Coppins took the holeshot but Barragan moved up to first a few corners later. Again De Dycker moved up to the lead by the end of the opening lap, while Barragan slipped. The Belgian did another race on his own leaving his rivals no chance to close the gap. Mackenzie seemed to be able to get closer but decided to settle for a safe second ahead of Barragan. Steve Ramon was a solid fourth for the entire heat and Nagl ended the top five. Philippaerts battled it out again with team mate Coppins, moving past the Kiwi for an eventual sixth place. Coppins finished seventh.
MX2
After his last GP victory in Desertmartin 2006, Tyla Rattray of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing won his twelfth Grand Prix today, after finishing first in both heats. The South African lead home MX2 Reigning Champ Tony Cairoli of Yamaha Red Bull De Carli and sand master Erik Eggens of Beursfoon Suzuki. Cairoli felt the lack of bike time as he had been racing with the MX1 machinery for a good part of the winter break. Tommy Searle of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ended fourth but crashed in both heats. Team mate Rui Goncalves ended the top five ahead of Shaun Simpson. Tyla Rattray was back on the top of the podium after a long absence
MX2 RACE 1
After Jeremy Van Horebeek took the holeshot and lead for the first two laps, first Searle then Rattray moved up to the lead. Searle crashed and ended third, while Rattray rode to the victory followed by Cairoli, who lost too much time in coming up from the fourth position. Ending lap one at the bottom of the top ten, Eggens moved up to an eventual fourth ahead of Simpson. Van Horebeek dropped down to seventh behind Goncalves.
This victory was surely a confidence booster for Tyla Rattray
MX2 RACE 2
Debutant Joel Roelants lead the opening four laps showing an impressive speed but Rattray moved past him at lap five. With Rattray running away from the rest of the field, Roelants was passed by Cairoli then crashed while he was third. Cairoli chipped away at the gap from Rattray to arrive very close to his rival at the final lap; the Italian was not able to make his way through and had to settle for a wise second behind winner Rattray. Eggens worked his way up to third ahead of solid Goncalves and Searle, who crashed again.
IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
Ken de Dycker leads the MX1 points standings with 50 points and he is right ahead of team mate Ramon, second with 38 points. Nagl, Mackenzie and Philippaerts complete the top five with Coppins sixth.
In MX2 Rattray is leading from Cairoli, with the latter being only six points away. Eggens is now third ahead of team mates Searle and Goncalves.
NEWS OF THE DAY: FIM AND YOUTHSTREAM WELCOME MESSAGES
As this was the first round of the 2008 season, FIM and series promoter Youthstream, represented by FIM Vice President Jean Pierre Mougin, FIM/CMS President Wolfgang Srb and Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo, took the chance to introduce the Championship and welcome the many media who attend each round of the GP campaign.
(from left to right) FIM/CMS President Wolfgang Srb, FIM Vice President Jean Pierre Mougin, Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo
WHAT’S NEXT
The second round of the series will take place in beautiful Bellpuig, in Spain, on the 20th of April. Last year the venue hosted a very muddy race with victories of Coppins (MX1) and Cairoli (MX2). Spain will also see the first of the three rounds of the FIM Veterans’ Motocross World Cup.
THE EVENT’S SCHEDULE
The Grand Prix will be broadcast delayed on:
EUROSPORT 2 (Pan Europe) : Sunday April 6; MX1 Race 2 at 18:30 CET
SPORT ITALIA (Italy) : Sunday April 6; MX1 Race 1 at 00:00 and Race 2 at 1:00 CET
VRT (Belgium): Sunday April 6; MX1 Race 1 at 17:15 and Race 2 at 17:40 CET
EUROSPORT WORLD (Pan Asia): Sunday April 6; MX1 Race 1 at 17:30 and Race 2 at 18:30. Monday April 7; MX1 Race 2 at 5:30 and at 14:00; MX2 Class at 15:00 and at 22:30. Tuesday April 8; MX2 Class 17:45 GMT
AMERICA ONE SPORTS (USA): Second Tuesday after the GP; MX2 Race 2 at 21:00; MX1 Race 2 at 22:00 CET
GAORA (Japan): MX2 Race 1 and Race 2; MX1 Race 1 and Race 2; N/A CET
TRANS 7 (Indonesia): Sunday April 6; MX2 Race 2 N/A; MX1 Race 2 N/A CET
LINKS
KNMV-Koninklijke Nederlandse Motorrijders Vereniging
Information, photos and results are online at http://www.motocrossMX1.com, the official website of the FIM Motocross World Championships.
MediaZone Moto is the leading global online broadcaster of Motocross and SuperMoto events. Fans worldwide can watch the thrills from this and every race of the 2008 FIM Motocross & SuperMoto World Championships LIVE and On Demand exclusively at www.MediaZoneMoto.com.
Youthstream is the company that manages the exclusive television, marketing and promotional world wide rights of the FIM Motocross World Championship, the FIM Motocross of Nations, the FIM SuperMoto World Championship, the FIM SuperMoto of Nations, the FIM Snowcross World Championship, the UEM Motocross European Championship and the UEM SuperMoto European Championship.
