VALKENSWAARD (THE NETHERLANDS) The chase for the MX1 and MX2 World titles becomes more and more interesting with the fourth meeting in Benelux establishing new GP winners in the likes of Jonathan Barragan (MX1) and Rui Goncalves (MX2). Though Championship leaders Antonio Cairoli (MX1) and Paulin (MX2) are still on top of the respective categories.
MX1 Class
The Benelux Grand Prix ended with Barragan and Cairoli level in points but the eventual winner was the KTM Silver Action Spaniard sealing the overall success through the second heat win. Barragan, who is now second in the Championship, recovered from last to third in an impressive Moto one.
The opening moto was the one where Yamaha Red Bull De Carli's Cairoli gave his best as the current MX1 Championship leader made it to the chequered flag in first despite a damaged front wheel-the damage was caused in a first corner tangle with Steve Ramon. In the final heat the two time MX2 World Champion struggled at the start but took third behind team mate Tanel Leok.
The latter was back on the podium after his first appearance in Faenza Italy . The Estonian made a few mistakes in heat one where he settled for fifth but he took revenge in heat two finishing a solid second.
Martin Honda MX's Kevin Strijbos took another fourth overall ahead of current MX1 World Champion Philippaerts who struggled on the sandy course.
Marc De Reuver took a great second in heat one which he was leading-he eventually lost the top spot because of a crash. Another crash saw the Dutchman dnf in the final moto.Honda fellow rider Billy Mackenzie was spotted on the lead for nine laps for the first time this season though his overall result was eleventh.
Yesterday's pole sitter KTM factory rider Max Nagl struggled to finish 14th.
Jonathan Barragan
"I had a difficult crash in the first Moto but I managed to get back in the race. I had a good speed and good lines and because I stayed focused I was able to fight back from the back of the pack. Race two was much easier. I had a better start and was able to fight with Steve Ramon and David Philippaerts. I was able to stay focused and concentrated right up to the end. This is my first GP win of the season and I hope it will be the first of many."
Antonio Cairoli
"I was third in the first lap of the first moto and I tried to pass Steve Ramon but he almost crashed and stopped so I caught my front wheel with his footpeg. I could see the wheel was broken and I was pretty scared. I dropped back to 12th place because I wanted to see if I could keep on racing. I was not doing many jumps and nursing the bike but it was OK, and I increased the speed and pushed. I could pass Steve and then he had a big crash, and also Philippaerts. There have been a lot of things happening that I didn't expect this year in MX1. It was a surprise to win here but I am having a lot of fun on the bike and I want to keep it this way until the end of the championship. I was really happy to win that race. My second start was really bad and I had some contact with other guys in the first corner. I was riding well after that and passed a lot of people but I had some trouble overtaking Desalle for a few laps and that held me up. I wanted to reach Tanel but in the last minutes I was quite tired and just stayed steady to the flag."
Tanel Leok
I lost a lot of points in Turkey so this helps towards getting some back. I made some silly mistakes in the first moto but really that was the only negative part of the day. I am feeling good and fit and it showed in that second race. It has been really good to be riding and training with Antonio and I am happy with how things are going for me."
MX1 Moto 1: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha) 2. Marc de Reuver (NED, Honda) 3. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM) 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Suzuki) 5. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha) 6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha) 7. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Honda) 8. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Honda) 9. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda) 10. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha)
MX1 Moto 2: 1. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM) 2. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha) 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha) 4. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Honda) 5. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha) 6. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha) 7. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki) 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda) 9. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Suzuki) 10. Aigar Leok (EST, TM)
MX1 Championship: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 143 points; 2. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 128 p.; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Suzuki), 124 p.; 4. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 118 p.; 5. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), 112 p.; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Yamaha), 111 p.; 7. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 100 p.; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 87 p.; 9. Clement Desalle (BEL, Honda), 86 p.; 10. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Honda), 82 p.;