TEAM SUZUKI SET FOR AMERICAN MXGP FINALE2016-09-08 09:53The Grand Prix of USA represents the 18th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship and the last fixture of the 2016 MXGP campaign for Team Suzuki World MXGP and Team Suzuki World MX2 at the revered Glen Helen circuit in southern California this weekend. The long, hilly and fast San Bernardino circuit – mixing hard-pack with looser, rougher soil – is set for another hot weekend of action and for the second year in a row will bring the curtain down on the Grand Prix year. With both MXGP and MX2 divisions wrapped-up in terms of the title there is little pressure on the line for most of the Grand Prix gate in SoCal this Sunday. Jeremy Seewer is already confirmed as the second-best MX2 rider in the world this year while team-mate Bas Vaessen will contest his third GP as a wildcard and looking to continue his steep learning curve at the highest level with the RM-Z250 ahead of a full-time attempt at the category next season. Kevin Strijbos still has a chance of a top-10 finish in the premier class for what has been an interrupted term but with the powerful singular highlight of his first GP victory in nine years around the sand of Lommel in Belgium. Arminas Jasikonis has been recovering from the right ankle he twisted at Charlotte and the Grand Prix of the Americas last Saturday and will lap Glen Helen in anger for the first time come Saturday’s practice and qualification schedule. “It is a different kind of track but I like it a lot,” said Strijbos of the challenge ahead in San Bernardino. “Starts again will be key because it is such a long start straight.” “More rough, more technical, bit less speed, it can also get slippery there and overall I think it will suit me,” says Seewer when talking about Glen Helen in comparison to the layout found at the Charlotte Motor Speedway last weekend. “I hope we can set the bike up pretty good against the Americans because their machinery is so fast and they will have local knowledge. Anyway I will do my best and we’ll see how it goes.” The second American fixture this week will also present a moment of reflection for General Manager Stefan Everts. Both Seewer and Strijbos still have racing commitments ahead at the Motocross of Nations and the SMX Manufacturer’s Cup in Germany in October but the last Grand Prix of the year will draw a line under the Belgian’s first tenure overseeing the Suzuki operation where he – and the Lommel-based crew – have endured both ups and downs. “It’s been a difficult challenge and not the easiest year but we have also had positive progression,” he said. “The season went really quickly and we are already at the last round. Glen Helen is of course a really nice track to race on and a nice way and place to end the year. As Team Suzuki there is plenty for us to work on for next season and I’m full-gas with the preparation for this. The goal is to be stronger next year and we have some new stuff coming in terms of the bikes. We want to finish 2016 in a good way and that the riders can go home safe and healthy. I can see some of the guys are getting tired. It has been a long season and a lot of travelling. Let’s hope we end things well.” For Everts the July fixture in the Lommel sand was the easiest bright spot of ’16…so far! “Lommel was the highlight of the year for the whole team; a home GP and the ’92 design,” he recalls. “Kevin won the GP, Bas also in EMX and Jeremy was second in MX2. It was a wonderful day with a lot of emotion for everyone on the team and for me especially; it motivated me to want more days like that. Jeremy’s second place in the MX2 championship is a big highlight also. He made so many podiums and sadly didn't get that win but came so close in Switzerland. Overall vice champion is really good for him to prepare for next year and good confidence as well as experience to compete for the title next year.” High temperatures and typical sunshine are predicted for the weekend. MXGP World Championship Standings (after 17 of 18 rounds): 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 693 points; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 603 p.; 3. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 565 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 549 p.; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 522 p.; 6. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 513 p.; 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 382 p.; 8. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 372 p.; 9. Valentin Guillod (SUI, YAM), 335 p.; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 322 p.; 11. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki World MXGP), 311 p.; 18. Ben Townley (NZL, Suzuki World MXGP), 128 p. 25. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Suzuki World MXGP), 47 p. MX2 World Championship Standings (after 17 of 18 rounds): 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 689 points; 2. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, Suzuki World MX2), 595 p.; 3. Benoit Paturel (FRA, YAM), 485 p.; 4. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 473 p.; 5. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KTM), 403 p.; 6. Dylan Ferrandis (FRA, KAW), 378 p.; 7. Brian Bogers (NED, KTM), 372 p.; 8. Samuele Bernardini (ITA, TM), 358 p.; 9. Petar Petrov (BUL, KAW), 351 p.; 10. Aleksandr Tonkov (RUS, YAM), 320 p. 34. Bas Vaessen (NED, Suzuki World MX2), 40 p. Source: Team Suzuki Press Office Click here to visit our forums to discuss this story |
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