15th July 2012 – Kegums, Latvia – 2012 World Championships
Second podium on the bounce and landmark first victory in Latvia
A difficult and testing Grand Prix of Latvia was the scene of more magnificence by HM Plant KTM UK’s Kevin Strijbos as the Belgian not only picked up his second trophy in succession with third place in the premier MX1 class but also collected the British team’s first chequered flag in top flight motocross. The tenth round of sixteen in the FIM Motocross World Championship at Kegums was yet another event blighted by rain but it was the treacherous bumps and edges of the loose terrain that allowed Strijbos to roll back the years and grasp his first moto victory since 2007.
21,000 spectators braved heavy showers and changeable conditions that mixed rainfall with bright sunshine. A fast and sketchy circuit on Saturday was transformed by the climate on Sunday and the second moto in particular was technical and demanding.
Strijbos made a good start on his 350SX-F in the opening affair but struggled to maintain a rhythm to escape with the leaders and dropped back to tenth position. Determined to do better later in the afternoon and encouraged by the deluge of water prior to the second race launch, the former world championship runner-up was inspired to exit the first turn second behind leader and reigning champ Antonio Cairoli. When the Sicilian crashed in the opening phases of the 35 minutes and 2 laps distance Strijbos had a clear track ahead and a cushion of around ten seconds that he carefully managed all the way to the finish line.
After two podium finishes – in Brazil in May and Sweden two weeks ago – this latest success is vindication of the work put in by the rider, the strength of the KTM factory engines and the dedication of the HM Plant KTM crew that continues to make 2012 one of the most memorable seasons in the team’s short history.
As a consequence of his rich streak of form ‘22’ is sixth in the championship standings and just 20 points from the top five with twelve motos and six rounds left on the schedule. HM Plant KTM UK now travel to Semigorje for the first time and for only the second Grand Prix of Russia this century.
Kevin Strijbos: “ The first race was really bad, I had a good start but then I dropped down from third to tenth. The track was very hard and was very scary in some places, so I was riding really tight everywhere. Before I started the second race Harry [Everts, trainer] gave me a shout and he made me react. The rain also came down between the races, so I was pretty happy about that because the track was much slower. I got another good start in the second race and I was riding behind Tony [Cairoli] when he made that crash. In the beginning I was nervous because I was leading again after a long time but everything went well and I managed to keep the gap with Paulin who was riding second at that point. I’m really happy about winning, especially because it has been five years since my last victory. I’m also happy for the team because they work really hard for me, so thanks to them, Harry, my girlfriend and everybody who works on my bike.
My next goal is to be second on the podium, I’ve been third three times and I just want to be second and then first! I think I could have been second this weekend because I got two good starts but I was not ‘into’ the first race. I actually didn’t think I was on the podium because with a tenth and a first I could not imagine it, so I was really happy. I will keep on working really hard for the Russian Grand Prix next week and I’m really happy about going there and having a new track to race.”
Roger Magee, Team Principal: “We’ve just about calmed down! What a great race to watch and after a brilliant season so far Kevin was able to deliver our first chequered flag at Grand Prix level. We keep saying how well Kevin is doing but we know his capabilities and that of the KTM. We have great backing from our sponsors – without whom none of this would be possible – and everyone is working hard not only to make this impression in MX1 but also help Natalie in the FIM Women’s World Championship and James in the Europeans. I want to thank everyone associated with the team and I hope they are as proud of our progress as we are. With Lierop and a few other tracks coming up that Kevin quite like who knows what else is possible this season?”
Photos courtesy of Ray Archer
Results
MX1 Moto1
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:10.291; ; 2. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:14.660; 3. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:19.982; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:25.045; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:29.425; 6. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +0:30.185; 7. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:48.051; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:49.206; 9. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:50.222; 10. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), +0:50.592.
MX1 Moto2
1. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 40:41.137; ; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:09.646; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), +0:14.187; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), +0:21.801; 5. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), +0:23.040; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:34.385; 7. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), +0:40.746; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), +0:51.920; 9. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:54.297; 10. Marc de Reuver (NED, Kawasaki), +1:20.375.
MX1 Overall
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 47 points; 2. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 42 p.; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 36 p.; 4. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 36 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 33 p.; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 32 p.; 7. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 29 p.; 8. Shaun Simpson (GBR, Yamaha), 26 p.; 9. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), 26 p.; 10. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 22 p.
MX1 World Championship
1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 392 points; 2. Clement Desalle (BEL, Suzuki), 380 p.; 3. Christophe Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 357 p.; 4. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Kawasaki), 348 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, KTM), 299 p.; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, KTM), 279 p.; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 258 p.; 8. Tanel Leok (EST, Suzuki), 230 p.; 9. Rui Goncalves (POR, Honda), 219 p.; 10. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 212 p.
Event Gallery
