RAMON 2ND IN DUTCH MX1 QUALIFYING
 Team
Suzuki riders Steve Ramon and Kevin Strijbos registered lap-times
on their works RM-Z 450s to place within the top four at a
sunny Eurocircuit in Valkenswaard, Holland for the Grand Prix
of Benelux and the first round of 15 in the 2007 FIM MX1 World
Championship.
The sandy course just south of Eindhoven proved a little
tricky throughout the day as the terrain shifted from flat
to rough and rutted with some sections slower and deeper than
others.
Ramon was second fastest in the 30 minute Timed Practice
session and half a second away from the pole time set by Ken
de Dycker. The Belgian swapped his rear tyre during practice
(opting for Pirelli's reliable sand tread after experimenting
with a prototype model) and tried various sprockets but was
more concerned about his rhythm through the Dutch powder.
"I found it difficult to find my lines today," he
said. "It got better during the day but I still not that
satisfied as I was making small mistakes when I wanted a fast
lap and couldn't get smooth. Changing the rear tyre helped
and I could finally take second in Timed Practice which is
fine for the start gate."
Strijbos - who was riding with a weakened left knee after
a minor operation almost a fortnight ago - switched engines
after free practice and used the same settings that delivered
victory in the sand of Hawkstone Park for Timed Practice to
gain fourth pick in the gate. The 2006 runner-up is optimistic
of a decent result tomorrow despite being less than 100% fit.
"I'm happy today," he remarked. "Once we changed
the engines it was much better for me and my riding was good
considering that I had not been on the bike for two weeks.
The track was ok for me and I made my fastest lap without
needing to take any risks. I am looking forward to tomorrow
but I will go at my own pace and aim to be strong right the
way through the moto."
MX1 Timed Practice: 1 Ken De Dycker (BEL),
Honda 2:00.575, 2 Steve Ramon (BEL), Suzuki 2:01.076, 3 Josh
Coppins (NZL), Yamaha 2:01.627, 4 Kevin Strijbos (BEL), Suzuki
2:01.927, 5 Marc De Reuver (NED), Yamaha 2:01.959, 6 Tanel
Leok (EST), Kawasaki 2:02.082, 7 Jonathan Barragan (SPA) KTM
2:02.507, 8 Kornel Nemeth (HUN) Suzuki 2:02.665, 9 Sebastien
Pourcel (FRA) Kawasaki 2:03.479, 10 Aigar Leok (EST) Yamaha
2:03.481.
|
