The the MX1 races were full of magic moments. The opening moto it was CAS Honda rider Ken De Dycker and Suzuki factory rider Kevin Strijbos who put on the show. De Dycker holding the early lead until Strijbos took over. De Dycker came back though to win the moto. Steve Ramon and Sebastien Pourcel the two major title contenders had trouble early, Ramon holding down last place on the opening lap and Pourcel mid-pack. By race end Pourcel was fifth and Ramon 8th.
The second MX1 moto started well for both Pourcel and Ramon as they held first and third places in the opening stages of the moto. Ramon thought made a mistake and dropped back to 25th place soon after the start, and moto one winner Ken De Dycker had some problems and dropped back in the pack.
Strijbos began to pull away from Brown and Philippaerts and Ramon was working his way through the field, holding down sixth position after nine laps. Seb Pourcel began his own surge through the field and passed both Philippaerts and Brown for second place. With just five minutes left in the race Ramon moved into fourth position when Mike Brown made a mistake
and dropped back to 18th place. Strijbos eventually won the moto with a 34 second lead over Pourcel and Philippaerts in third.
In the MX1 World championship the weekend means that Josh Coppins remains the series leader with 445pts, Ramon is second with 433pts and Pourcel is on 400pts.
Strijbos comments
Of course I felt good all weekend and my races were good and the last race was easy for me. I just thought about racing my own GP, I don't know how far he (Ramon) is in the points and I just want to get as many as possible. He (Pourcel) gave me a gift by crashing, I was trying to catch him and it made it easier for me, so thanks Sebastien. I think the track was good, the jumps are good, but it wasn't good with the mud, but they did a good job and the made the jumps less steep. I think when it is dry it is one of the best tracks. The first moto I was first and then second and I got arm pump and Ken passed me again and I was just riding around. Second moto I made a gap on the others, so it was easy for me. I just want to do my race and finish maybe third in the championship.
Pourcel comments
It is good for the championship, my first moto was not so good and I took a bad start and didn't have good speed. The second moto I took a holeshot and fast first lap, bu then I crashed and it was the end of the race. I pushed really hard. It was difficult to race with Christophe in hospital. It was easier to ride knowing he is better. After my crash I pushed hard to come second. For the championship I had to pass Philippaerts. For sure it will be difficult and Kevin and David are riding fast. We will see what happens in the championship, I will see after the second race in Lierop (who wins the World title).
Philippaerts comments
The bike is very good today, but I had a small problem with the gas, but it's okay now. I didn't expect Jonathan to pass me in the first moto, he was a long way back, but then he passed me suddenly. I like this track, it's soft and very difficult, I don't like the jumps because when you land it is soft. For the championship points it is very close. Ireland was new for everyone and England is also new. Maybe Tommy Searle will give me some advice.
The second MX1 moto started well for both Pourcel and Ramon as they held first and third places in the opening stages of the moto. Ramon thought made a mistake and dropped back to 25th place soon after the start, and moto one winner Ken De Dycker had some problems and dropped back in the pack.
Strijbos began to pull away from Brown and Philippaerts and Ramon was working his way through the field, holding down sixth position after nine laps. Seb Pourcel began his own surge through the field and passed both Philippaerts and Brown for second place. With just five minutes left in the race Ramon moved into fourth position when Mike Brown made a mistake
and dropped back to 18th place. Strijbos eventually won the moto with a 34 second lead over Pourcel and Philippaerts in third.
In the MX1 World championship the weekend means that Josh Coppins remains the series leader with 445pts, Ramon is second with 433pts and Pourcel is on 400pts.
Strijbos comments
Of course I felt good all weekend and my races were good and the last race was easy for me. I just thought about racing my own GP, I don't know how far he (Ramon) is in the points and I just want to get as many as possible. He (Pourcel) gave me a gift by crashing, I was trying to catch him and it made it easier for me, so thanks Sebastien. I think the track was good, the jumps are good, but it wasn't good with the mud, but they did a good job and the made the jumps less steep. I think when it is dry it is one of the best tracks. The first moto I was first and then second and I got arm pump and Ken passed me again and I was just riding around. Second moto I made a gap on the others, so it was easy for me. I just want to do my race and finish maybe third in the championship.
Pourcel comments
It is good for the championship, my first moto was not so good and I took a bad start and didn't have good speed. The second moto I took a holeshot and fast first lap, bu then I crashed and it was the end of the race. I pushed really hard. It was difficult to race with Christophe in hospital. It was easier to ride knowing he is better. After my crash I pushed hard to come second. For the championship I had to pass Philippaerts. For sure it will be difficult and Kevin and David are riding fast. We will see what happens in the championship, I will see after the second race in Lierop (who wins the World title).
Philippaerts comments
The bike is very good today, but I had a small problem with the gas, but it's okay now. I didn't expect Jonathan to pass me in the first moto, he was a long way back, but then he passed me suddenly. I like this track, it's soft and very difficult, I don't like the jumps because when you land it is soft. For the championship points it is very close. Ireland was new for everyone and England is also new. Maybe Tommy Searle will give me some advice.