The Grand Prix of Latvia this weekend will represent the 11th round of 17 in the FIM Motocross World Championship but also the fourth outing of eight in the European EMX250 series.
Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe's Jeremy Seewer has racked-up three consecutive podium results with his RM-Z250 and is now chasing a fourth and hopefully his first win of the season at Kegums to draw him even closer to class leader Valentin Guillod.
"I'm doing OK and podiums are always good for the championship but we have to try and beat Guillod because he is proving to be the strongest guy out there at the moment," said the young Swiss who will complete his mechanic apprenticeship in 2014 and is looking to turn fully Pro and enter MX2 next year. "My riding has been pretty good but we suffered with the start in Sweden."
Seewer's form so far as the EMX250 campaign reaches the halfway stage could be complimented by a determined Max Anstie who is still searching for his first podium on the factory-backed RM-Z250. The young Briton needs to improve his first laps of the motos to get into contention but his feeling on the bike and speed throughout the practice sessions give cause for encouragement. Anstie is currently ninth in the standings.
With the long-term weather forecast predicting sunshine and bright conditions, Kegums is likely to offer a hard-pack and bumpy test this weekend. Largely flat but with some big jumps and a long, technical wave section, the track is one of the more open and flowing on the calendar.
Seewer is second and 13 points behind countryman Guillod as rounds in Finland, Czech Republic, Britain and Holland remain. With both riders duking the European title it bodes well for Swiss motocross. "It is really positive because in Switzerland we have good riders but they are not on the international stage, so now the country has two always on the podium in this category," said Seewer.
MX2 World Championship Standings (after 10 of 17 rounds): 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 492 points; 2. Jordi Tixier (FRA, KTM), 363 p.; 3. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), 311 p.; 4. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Yamaha), 306 p.; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 282 p.; 6. Dean Ferris (AUS, Yamaha), 256 p.; 7. Jake Nicholls (GBR, KTM), 252 p.; 8. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Kawasaki), 232 p.; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 215 p.; 10. Mel Pocock (GBR, Yamaha), 179 p.
European EMX250 Championship Standings (after 3 of 7 rounds): 1. Valentin Guillod (SUI, KTM), 75 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe), 62 p.; 3. Damon Graulus (BEL, KTM), 54 p.; 4. Ceriel Klein Kromhof (NED, KTM), 48 p.; 5. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 40 p.
