The third Grand Prix in a row will take place for the Teka Suzuki World MX1 team this weekend at the Uddevalla circuit in Sweden for the 11th round of 15 in the 2009 FIM Motocross World Championship and Ken De Dycker will be steering his RM-Z450 at the undulating course after recent trips to Germany and Latvia.
The 25 year old is currently sixth in the standings and has passed a relaxing few days after the hot and physical exertions of Kegums, Latvia last weekend. The Belgian initially had a blood test after struggling slightly with his stamina on Sunday but was given an all-clear. He has abstained from any practicing this week to be in prime condition for this weekend.
"The test did not show anything so it might have been something to do with my sugar levels. We are not completely sure yet but I have not ridden this week as a precaution and hope everything will be fine for the weekend," he said.
The Grand Prix of Sweden has a long history in the sport and formed part of the original (and inaugural) 500cc world championship in 1957. It has been a staple part of the series since the turn of the century and has always been based at the Uddevalla circuit just north of Gothenburg. In 2006, the course was reversed and faced several other alterations including a new start straight. In recent editions, the terrain has undergone revisions to become softer and more varied than the usual hard-pack soil.
"I quite like it at Uddevalla; there are some nice jumps and when the ground gets rougher, there is more line choice," said De Dycker, who won the 2007 Swedish Grand Prix with a first and second and was seventh 12 months ago. "It is a different place. All the people on the rocks by the side of the track give a sight unlike anywhere else. I can only hope for some good starts and maybe a repeat of the moto results of a couple of years ago."
With Steve Ramon now making progress in his rehab from a broken neck, with fortune, this weekend should be the last meeting that Teka Suzuki World MX1 has representation by just one rider.
A three-week break follows activities in Sweden before the team's home Grand Prix at Lommel, Limburg on August 2nd.
The weather forecast for the weekend predicts sunshine and good conditions.
World Championship standings (after 10 of 15 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 385 points; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 328 p; 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 327 p; 4. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), 314 p; 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda), 309 p; 6. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Teka Suzuki World MX1), 298 p; 7. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha), 270 p; 8. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 215 p; 9. Aigar Leok (EST, TM), 167 p; 10. Gareth Swanepoel (RSA, Kawasaki), 151 p.
