STRIJBOS FAST IN MXGP – SEEWER ON MX2 POLE

2016-08-02 07:46
Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos gave his legion of supporters at Lommel for the Grand Prix of Belgium and his home round of the 2016 FIM Motocross World Championship cause for optimism with a determined charge to third position in Qualification for the 14th round of 18 in MXGP, while in the MX2 class, Jeremy Seewer scored a career-first pole position.

The Lommel sand had become bumpy and treacherous by the time of the afternoon qualifying races and under some largely grey but warm Belgian skies. Strijbos took it easy in the Free and Timed Practice sessions and actually notched lap-times slightly slower than young team-mate Arminas Jasikonis; the tall Lithuanian placing fifth and eighth on the RM-Z450.

Strijbos fired into life during the 20-minute and two-lap sprint. The veteran’s start wasn't enough to place him among the leaders through the first turn but he quickly found a rhythm and speed around the terrain to push all the way from seventh to third position. Jasiknois was an encouraging eighth in just his second Qualification Heat outing in MXGP.

The Suzuki crew were excited in MX2 with Jeremy Seewer taking a first Pole Position in the class: The Swiss made an excellent jump away from the gate on his RM-Z250 and slotted into second spot behind Max Anstie until the Brit crashed on lap three of 13. Seewer then controlled a small distance over Petar Petrov to grasp a well-deserved victory and first choice of gates for tomorrow’s 30-minute and two-lap motos.

Kevin Strijbos:

“I didn't put in too many laps in practice because I wanted to save some energy for the race. I didn't have such a good start in the Heat but I rode smart and tried to build it up a little. I remember here a couple of years ago I went too-fast-too-early and that was a mistake, so this time I focussed on going with the guys and seeing where I could find some good lines. My riding was good and I had a good flow, which is important on this track because it is very heavy on the body. I will try to keep that momentum tomorrow.”

Arminas Jasikonis:

“It went well today. My start was not that good in the qualification race but I made some passes on some fast riders. I finished eighth and I’m happy with my result and we didn't make any changes to the set-up.”

Jeremy Seewer:

“It was something really special. In the last few years I was not that good in the sand because I didn't have the opportunity to practice in it while I was young, so I had to adapt. Hard work paid off! It is only Saturday but this gives me a lot of confidence for the races tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it. I think changing my style for the sand has helped together with some other small details like being based a lot here. I enjoy the sand and I like riding it.”

MXGP Qualification Heat result: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 25:28.215; 2. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +0:05.417; 3. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki World MXGP), +0:10.291; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:19.063; 5. Maximilian Nagl (GER, Husqvarna), +0:19.689; 6. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), +0:21.256; 7. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:23.132; 8. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Suzuki World MXGP), +0:28.968; 9. Tommy Searle (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:32.312; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +0:32.590.

Source: Team Suzuki Press Office

Click here to visit our forums to discuss this story