STRIJBOS & SUZUKI 2ND IN CZECH GP QUALIFIER

2016-07-25 07:38
Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos made an impressive MXGP return from injury today with second position in the Qualification Heat for the Grand Prix in the Czech Republic.

Round 13 of 18 dropped into the Loket circuit and the hard-pack hill also provided changeable conditions for the world championship elite with brief rain showers making the slippery terrain even more tricky.

Strijbos, back on the Factory RM-Z450 after recovering from a left wrist problem, set the fifth fastest lap-time in Free Practice and was 10th in the Timed Session. The Belgian gunned a strong launch out of the start gate and was third on the opening lap behind eventual winner Tim Gajser and former team-mate Glenn Coldenhoff. Strijbos chased the Dutchman for half of the 20-minute and two-lap sprint until moving past and into his best qualification slot of the year.

Arminas Jasikonis made his debut on the RM-Z450 after being drafted into the team to replace Ben Townley (who was still present at Loket, but in an advisory and promotional capacity). The Lithuanian had a small issue with his goggles that hindered his Qualification run but went 22-15 and then 18th in the race in the 18-year-old’s opening day.

In the MX2 class Jeremy Seewer rode to third place on his RM-Z250 and was happy with his speed and performance for tomorrow’s motos. The Swiss wants to refine very small details on set-up for the 30-minute and two-lap outings, but is eying an eighth podium result of the year. Team-mate Brian Hsu was 24th and had to contend with a few technical issues while EMX250 race winner Bas Vaessen enjoyed a rare Grand Prix outing (with the EMX250 calendar still on hiatus) to take 17th.

Showers and warm temperatures are predicted for tomorrow.

Kevin Strijbos:

“Pretty good, and I’m happy with my feeling on the track. I had a good jump out of the gate and even though I ran a bit to the outside I still came out in the top three-four. I then just rode my race and found my rhythm and it was a decent ride. For tomorrow we will probably make a small adjustment to the engine to help further with the start but for the rest of the set-up we are in a good place. It was only a 20-minute Heat today so I’m still not sure how the wrist will be for two motos but – no excuses – I want to give the best I can and see where we end up.”

Arminas Jasikonis:

“Not bad today. I felt great on the bike and I think we will just make a couple of changes to the suspension for the races. I had a problem with my goggles that made life a bit hard in the Heat but things were not too bad. This is not really my kind of track but I made the best of it and we’ll see for tomorrow. I’ll be happy to finish in the top-15, but of course I will be looking for more.”

MXGP Qualification Heat: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 24:13.074; 2. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki World MXGP), +0:05.277; 3. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:08.057; 4. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:09.999; 5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:13.281; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:20.943; 7. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:27.383; 8. Christophe Charlier (FRA, Husqvarna), +0:29.061; 9. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:30.188; 10. Jordi Tixier (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:30.821; 11. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:38.762; 12. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:40.069; 13. Valentin Guillod (SUI, Yamaha), +0:41.183; 14. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:41.438; 15. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Honda), +0:53.718; 16. Alessandro Lupino (ITA, Honda), +0:56.520; 17. Jake Nicholls (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:58.081; 18. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Suzuki World MXGP), +1:05.801; 19. Dennis Ullrich (GER, KTM), +1:07.419; 20. Jose Butron (ESP, KTM), +1:09.641.

Source: Team Suzuki Press Office

Click here to visit our forums to discuss this story