Ken De Dycker created a memorable home event for Teka Suzuki World MX1 at the GP Limburg, the Grand Prix of Belgium and the12th round of 15 in the MX1 World Championship.
The 25 year old registered his first victory of the season and also the maiden 2009 triumph for the works RM-Z450 at Lommel in front of 28,000 spectators. Team mate Steve Ramon also had a good meeting and was fourth in the final classification.
The Belgian sand received a generous coating of rain on Sunday morning but this did not stop the fine terrain from converting into a demanding and physically-draining course of never-ending bumps and ruts. De Dycker - who was fastest in both practice sessions on Saturday and was vying for pole position before a small spill in his heat race - started well in both motos. He fought with Clement Desalle before pulling away to reach his first chequered flag of 2009 with an advantage of almost seven seconds. In the second sprint he again disputed the lead, this time with Max Nagl, and settled into a rhythm across a rougher course in 2nd place. Antonio Cairoli relegated him to third in the second half of the 35 minute and 2 lap distance but the position was enough for the former British Champion to toast his first win since the GP of Netherlands - in the Valkenswaard sand - in 2008.
Ramon, who had started from second in the gate for his first GP since sustaining a fractured neck at round four in April, was among the leaders in both outings. The former world champion was 3rd and 4th (for 4th overall) and finished tied on points with Cairoli for the last podium step but lost out due to an inferior second moto placing.
In the World Championship standings, De Dycker has risen from 6th to 4th and is five points from the top three. Ramon's haul of points reactivates his scorecard. The 29 year old is 13th in spite of missing seven rounds.
Teka Suzuki World MX1 will be on Grand Prix duty again next week when round 13 takes place at Loket in the Czech Republic.
Ken De Dycker - 1st:
"This is a hard Grand Prix so for sure I am really happy to win. I have not had many good GPs this season so it is nice to finally enjoy one. The first moto was decent but the second was not perfect Overall of course this is the result that we wanted and with three races to go I want to get in the top three of the championship. I think it is possible if I keep giving my best all the times right until, the end."
Steve Ramon - 4th:
"I started well in the first race and was riding pretty good. De Dycker and Desalle were fast and pulled away so I rode at my own pace. I tried to push but was making mistakes and by the end third was OK for me. I made some positions at the start of the second moto but after a while it became hard out there. Again I was making mistakes, felt a bit tired and wasn't concentrating at times. There were many ruts and the rain made it slippery. I am a little bit disappointed because I wanted the podium and I knew it was possible. Still, I did my best and will look forward to the next one."
MX1 Moto1:1. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Teka Suzuki WMX1), 43:03.805; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda), +0:06.893 3. Steve Ramon (BEL, Teka Suzuki WMX1), +0:18.879 4. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), +0:48.843 5. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), +0:49.076 6. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +0:50.650 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +1:11.853 8. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha), +1:13.690 9. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Honda), +2:04.985 10. Manuel Priem (BEL, Aprilia), +2:31.170.
MX1 Moto2: 1. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 41:54.880; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), +0:30.961 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Teka Suzuki WMX1), +0:49.586 4. Steve Ramon (BEL, Teka Suzuki WMX1), +0:58.857 5. Manuel Priem (BEL, Aprilia), +1:14.596 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha), +1:14.903 7. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), +1:47.985 8. Gareth Swanepoel (RSA, Kawasaki), +2:08.690 9. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda), +2:14.637 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), -1 lap(s).
MX1 Overall Result: 1. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Teka Suzuki WMX1), 45 points 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 40 p. 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 38 p. 4. Steve Ramon (BEL, Teka Suzuki WMX1), 38 p. 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda), 34 p. 6. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), 32 p. 7. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha), 28 p. 8. Manuel Priem (BEL, Aprilia), 27 p. 9. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 25 p. 10. Shannon Terreblanche (RSA, Kawasaki), 14 p.
MX1 World Championship standings (after 12 of 15 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 466 points 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 415 p. 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 388 p. 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Teka Suzuki WMX1), 383 p. 5. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda), 379 p. 6. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), 375 p. 7. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha), 327 p. 8. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 215 p. 9. Gareth Swanepoel (RSA, Kawasaki), 188 p. 10. Aigar Leok (EST, TM), 167 p. 13 Steve Ramon (BEL, Teka Suzuki WMX1) 138p.
