Successful MX2 debut for Verbruggen

Photo: CDS

LS Motors-Honda's MX2 rider Dennis Verbruggen rode to an excellent fifth overall in what was his first outing on the Honda CRF450R, yesterday in Nismes at the third round of the Belgian championship. Verbruggen jumps rom a tenth to a sixth in the championship standings..

In the first heat Dennis came back from seventh to fourth but would be overtaken by Josh Coppins in the last lap. Together with team mate Clément Desalle, Crusty would even dominate the opening stages of the second heat. While Desalle extended his lead lap after lap, Verbruggen was a shock third leaving many top MX2 regulars behind hilm. Unfortunately the former European champion was a bit to generous with the power of his CRF450R and lost his thirdposition to Josh Coppins. Dennis ended up fourth in front of Ramon and Priem.

In the last heat Dennis Verbruggen had his weakest start of the day and wouldn’t find the speed of his previous heats. This meant he lost every chance to be on the podium, although he would end the heat in sixth. His fifth overall was also a new career best for Dennis in the open class, who previously raced the United Telecom Trophy in 2007.

Dennis Verbruggen: “My first race on the CRF450R was definitely a confidence booster, although I had very few practice on the MX1 bike. Today, I felt good on it right away and I really enjoyed myself. Despite that the last heat was a bit of a bummer. I really felt that I could do better. I will do the rest of the Belgian Championship on my CRF450R. Mainly because it just increases my chances in the Open class, but also because I want to gain some experience before I could switch to MX1 full time in 2010. That's something I consider, but I haven't made my mind up yet.”

MX Panda dominates Nismes!

Photo: CDS

Top privateer outfit LS Motors-Honda struck hard during the third round of the Belgian Motocross Championship in Nismes. The first round of the year in Walloonia was also Clément Desalle’s home race. Desalle took three heat wins and became the dominant victor by doing so. Desalle is also closing in on championship leader Ken De Dycker.

Clément Desalle had been chasing Championship leader Ken De Dycker for almost a full first heat. With only two laps to go, it seemed that De Dycker would take another heat win in the Belgian championship. Desalle made a mistake but the 20 year old would turn the situation completely. In no time he came back, trailing in De Dycker’s wake. At the beginning of the very last lap the LS Motors Honda rider launched his attack. De Dycker would react prompt and professional, but to no avail as Desalle took the lead a few hundred metres further.

The LS Motors Honda duo would dominate the opening stages of the second heat. Desalle would break away from De Dycker and would build his lead lap after lap. Meanwhile Verbruggen was hanging on in third. Being a bit to generous with the power of his CRF450R caused him to lose that position to Josh Coppins. In the decisive third heat Desalle would get rid of holeshot winners Van Daele and Priem. With De Dycker just metres behind Desalle it looked like this would pan out as an absolute thriller. However, a small collision between both top Belgians meant De Dycker would lose valuable time. This enabled “MX Panda” to increase his lead and take his third heat win of the day.

Clément Desalle: “Today turned out to be really positive. Just like last year I won the overall in Nismes. My wins in heat two and three were fairly easy. In the first heat I crashed after I had been pressuring De Dycker. Luckily, I was able to come back and win. It was good to race this close to home, a lot of fans and friends showed up to support me. That makes it extra nice to win this race. Given the points standings I’m already looking forward to the Keiheuvel track.”

Can Desalle make it an encore in Nismes?

Photo: CDS

Next up on our schedule is the third round of the Belgian Motocross championship in Nismes. Nismes is an awesome, spectacular hard pack track near the French border. It was the venue for the 1997 MX of Nations and some GP's, the last one in 2005. It was also the place were Clément Desalle gave the Belgian stars somewhat of a shock by coming out (from racing the German series) and beating them all in a guest ride!

This weekend Desalle and his team mate Dennis Verbruggen will be back. However, this time around Clément is not only out for the win in Nismes is also fighting for the Belgian title agains De Dycker and Coppins. Furthermore some a couple of guys you might have heard of are making their comeback on Sunday: Steve Ramon and Kevin Strijbos. Add Aprilia factory rider Manuel Priem, KTM's Jeremy Van Horebeek and Patrick Caps to that and you know it will be quite an exciting race!