Tanel Leok climbed the podium at the Grand Prix of Benelux this weekend and captured his first trophy for the Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 team on the factory RM-Z450.
The Estonian was strong and impressive to finish third overall in front of 20,000 spectators and across the difficult sand of Lierop for round 14 of 16 in the FIM Motocross World Championship.
For the last trip into sandy terrain this season, Lierop provided its usual tough test: The terrain churned and carved into a rough, treacherous surface and the constant bumps and holes pushed the riders' limits of concentration and stamina as well as the motorcycles themselves.
Leok set the fastest time in free practice and was a constant menace in the leading group through qualification and the two races. He was part of the front pack around both first corners but showed his bravery and emphatic sand skills by engaging in battles for fourth position and then later third place and emerging victorious from both encounters. It was the former GP winner's best performance of the year and his first spray of champagne since the Czech Republic in 2010 and the achievement marked Suzuki's ninth rostrum finish of 2012.
Clement Desalle negotiated both 35 minute and 2 lap motos still nursing pain in his right hand after a crash in qualification two weeks ago at the British Grand Prix. The Belgian started well and settled into a cautious rhythm that saw him claim sixth and seventh for sixth overall.
Desalle keeps second position in the MX1 standings but is 76 points adrift of Antonio Cairoli and 48 ahead of Gautier Paulin. Leok consolidates eighth in the table.
The penultimate round of the FIM Motocross World Championship will take place next weekend at the hillside Faenza circuit in Italy.
Tanel Leok:
"I'm very happy. I've been off the podium for over a year and it feels great to be back. The track was really tough and really tests your fitness. It shows who has done their homework and I train hard and have been feeling good since I have recovered from my injury. My results have been getting better and better through the last few GPs and so has my speed. I've hit the podium now and although Faenza is not my favourite track I'll be trying for the same next week."
Clement Desalle:
"I still had a lot of pain after my crash in England, like I said yesterday, and with a small injection it was OK but I haven't been able to train or prepare like I can. We all know sand is very difficult and I did the best I could. The second part of the second moto was really just about riding to make the flag; I didn't it enjoy it much. For sure I am disappointed but I will train this week off the bike because I know I can ride with the injection at the weekend. The goal will be to do better in Italy."
MX1 Moto1: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:53.149; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +0:08.556; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:34.571; 4. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:44.142; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:46.058; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:47.362; 7. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +1:22.867; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +1:27.570; 9. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +2:03.584; 10. Marcus Schiffer (GER, Suzuki), -1 lap(s).
MX1 Moto2: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 41:45.714; 2. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:15.837; 3. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +0:23.817; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:33.733; 5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:35.324; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +1:00.708; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), +1:09.225; 8. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +1:11.132; 9. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +1:34.509; 10. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Honda), +2:06.153.
MX1 Overall result: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 38 p.; 4. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 32 p.; 5. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 29 p.; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 29 p.; 7. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 28 p.; 8. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 27 p.; 9. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 22 p.; 10. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 20 p.
MX1 World Championship Standings (after 14 of 16 rounds): 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 592 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 516 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 468 p.; 4. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 452 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 446 p.; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 369 p.; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 355 p.; 8. Tanel Leok (EST, Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1), 338 p.; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 315 p.; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 271 p.
