SUZUKI MX1 READY FOR LOKET
 The
11th round of 15 in the 2007 FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship
will see Team Suzuki travelling to the Loket circuit for the
Grand Prix of Czech Republic this weekend. The meeting is
the first of five to occur within six weeks as the current
campaign reaches a conclusion on September 2nd in Holland.
Both Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon enjoyed a break from
international and national commitments last weekend but the
two Belgians competed in the Westerlo International meeting
yesterday evening against a host of Grand Prix peers. Strijbos
won both motos to claim overall victory on the RM-Z450 while
Ramon was able to secure third overall.
Ramon is second in the World Championship as Loket prepares
itself for the 2007 edition of the Czech event and the 27
year old missed the podium for the first time in four Grand
Prix two weeks ago in Italy.
"The track was really bumpy yesterday, something we
have not been so used to recently in the GPs, and Kevin and
Ken de Dycker were riding well but I was thinking more about
Loket," said the former world champion, who put some
hours on the 2008 stock machine during last week. "The
track in the Czech Republic is not one of my favourites. I
don't mind racing there but for some reason I have never managed
a good result. It is a place where getting a good start is
vital because there are never that many ruts or bumps. My
main aim is to get back on the podium and if I can get the
start I know a win will be possible."
For Strijbos, Loket will always carry good memories. The
circuit was the site of his maiden Grand Prix victory and
that of the RM-Z450 back in 2005. The Belgian recovered from
injury problems that had wrecked his 2005 campaign to post
the win and is hoping now that history might be able to repeat
itself after this season has tailed off in the wake of his
left knee problems.
"It was a good race and nice to get back on a good level
with the bike after the problems we had in Italy," said
the 21 year old after Westerlo and who finished fourth at
Loket 12 months ago as well as being runner-up in the second
moto. "I've ridden quite well at Loket for the last couple
of seasons and we were unlucky to have a bit of a clutch problem
last year that stopped us getting on the podium. I know my
speed will be good and we'll see what happens."
Loket could be deemed an old fashioned motocross track in
the sense of the natural layout, high speed and use of the
indentations of the land to provide several jumps. The course
is more spectacular through the numerous drops and climbs
within the valley setting rather than for the aerial or technical
challenges it presents to the riders. The location itself
is only a few kilometres from the Spa town and former capital
Karlovy Vary that is still a popular tourist attraction and
was recently used to film exteriors of the last James Bond
film 'Casino Royale'. Pleasant weather conditions are predicted
for the weekend with temperatures in the mid-20s and bright
skies.
MX1 World Championship Standings (after 10 of 15
rounds): 1. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), 445 points;
2. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 338 p.; 3. Sebastien Pourcel
(FRA, Kawasaki), 285 p.; 4. David Philippaerts (ITA, KTM),
278 p.; 5. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 272 p.; 6. Ken de
Dycker (BEL, Honda), 256 p.; 7. Mike Brown (USA, Honda), 255
p.; 8. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), 250 p.; 9. Tanel Leok
(EST, Kawasaki), 240 p.; 10. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Kawasaki),
218 p.
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