In the MX1 class ( 450 cc) the 23-year-old Belgian Ken de Dycker won the opening Grand Prix of the 2008 season at Valkenswaard, ( Netherlands), taking his second career GP win, which was his first double Moto win.
In MX2 class ( 250 cc) Tyla Rattray came back to victory after a long absence, with the South African dominating both Motos.
MX1
Ken de Dycker of Team Teka Suzuki made it a great day for himself and the team, as he collected the victory in both Motos at his first GP with his new team. He rode well on his electronically fuel injected Suzuki RM-Z450 in the sandy and difficult track of Valkenswaard.
Moto 1
In Moto1 Ken De Dycker took the lead right from lap one, moving past the factory KTM rider Max Nagl Honda Cas rider Billy Mackenzie.
Ken pulled away with the lead, leaving runner up Nagl with a gap of more than seven seconds.
Mackenzie had a good shot at a runner up finish but crashed and finished tenth, as he lost extra time when another rider hit him while he was picking up his bike.
Monster Yamaha rider David Philippaerts moved past his teammate Joshua Coppins for third but hit the Kiwi crashed and dropped down to an eventual sixth. The Italian was then passed by Ramon in the final lap, ending fourth with Ramon third.
Moto 2
Despite only two weeks after recent surgery to repair two broken toes, a determined Joshua Coppins took the holeshot but the Spanish rider Jonathan Barragan riding his factory KTM moved up to first a few corners later.
Like in the first Moto, De Dycker moved up to the lead by the end of the opening lap, while Barragan slipped back.
The Belgian did another race on his own leaving his rivals no chance to close the gap. Mackenzie seemed to be able to get closer but decided to settle for a safe second ahead of Barragan. Steve Ramon was a solid fourth for the entire heat and Nagl ended in the top five. Philippaerts battled it out again with team mate Coppins, moving past the New Zealander for an eventual sixth place. Coppins finished seventh.
The veteran Mike Brown had a tougher time of it in Valkenswaard eventually finishing with his Cas Honda 11th overall after posting a 15-13 scorecard in the deep sandy conditions he considers to be amongst his least favourite..
De Dycker: "It was a really good day for me. In fact it couldn't have been any better. It's the first time I've taken a double victory and it's the first time I've ever had the lead in the World Championship. I've got to thank the team because they work hard but I also work hard too and this win today is the result of our joint efforts. I had no problems in either race except on the last lap of the second race when I was thinking about winning maybe a little bit too much and my arms pumped up."
Ramon: "I've been sick all week with the flu and I struggled to concentrate out on the track. "I didn't get a good start in the first race and I found it difficult to pass because I couldn't find a good rhythm, I wasn't riding smooth and I was fighting against the track. So I finished third after I passed Philippaerts on the last jump.
"The second moto was even worse for me. I was riding badly but I finished fourth in the race and second overall. Being on the podium is a good result for me and the team even though I'm not so happy with my riding."
Mike Brown: "Considering the conditions it went pretty well - I usually struggle in stuff like this a little bit. It was only the first race and there are still a lot of races to go, it went about as well as the first race last year except this time I didn't get any arm pump so that's a good sign. Overall it went alright but of course I'm not happy unless I win but I did the best I could and that's all anyone can ask for."
MX 1 Moto1
1. Ken De Dycker, Suzuki, BEL,
2. Maximilian Nagl, KTM, GER,
3. Steve Ramon, Suzuki, BEL,
4. David Philippaerts, Yamaha, ITA,
5. Manuel Priem, Kawasaki, BEL,
6. Joshua Coppins, Yamaha, NZL,
7. Kevin Strijbos, Kawasaki, BEL,
8. Marc De Reuver, Honda, NED,
9. Kornel Nemeth, KTM, HUN,
MX 1 Moto 2
1. Ken De Dycker, Suzuki, BEL,
2. Billy MacKenzie, Honda, GBR,
3. Jonathan Barragan, KTM, ESP,
4. Steve Ramon, Suzuki, BEL,
5. Maximilian Nagl, KTM, GER,
6. David Philippaerts, Yamaha, ITA,
7. Joshua Coppins, Yamaha, NZL,
8. Manuel Priem, Kawasaki, BEL,
9. Kornel Nemeth, KTM, HUN,
Rider Standings
Pos., Rider, Manu., Nat., Points
1. Ken De Dycker, Suzuki, BEL, 50
2. Maximilian Nagl, KTM, GER, 38
3. Steve Ramon, Suzuki, BEL, 38
4. Billy MacKenzie, Honda, GBR, 33
5. David Philippaerts, Yamaha, ITA, 33
6. Manuel Priem, Kawasaki, BEL, 29
7. Joshua Coppins, Yamaha, NZL, 29
8. Kornel Nemeth, KTM, HUN, 24
9. Kevin Strijbos, Kawasaki, BEL, 21