TEAM SUZUKI

DESALLE DOMINATES BELGIAN MX1

Rockstar Energy Suzuki MX1's Clement Desalle was unstoppable at Beervelde and the second round of the Belgian Championship yesterday as the 21-year-old won all three motos on his works RM-Z450.

Only six days after a sapping Grand Prix of the Netherlands, Desalle was in a resilient mood to beat Ken De Dycker in the three sprints across the soft and loamy surface and under more sunshine.

The Grand Prix of Bulgaria winner took the holeshot in two of the motos and despite a small crash in the last sprint was able to take the chequered flag on three occasions fairly comfortably.

"It was a good day on a difficult track that was pretty dangerous in places, very bumpy and with a lot of dust,' he said. "I started around fourth of fifth in the first moto and had a couple of laps when I was in the lead where I lost my rhythm and Ken was able to get close. I focussed my concentration again and could get clear. I had the holeshot in the next race and then again in the last one. I passed Shaun Simpson on the first lap but had a small crash when I lost the front that allowed Ken to go. I didn't give away much time and he was only four seconds ahead. In the end I was able to pass him and take the win. I don't have any plans to race next weekend and I'll just continue to train and get ready for Glen Helen now," he added.

Desalle leads the standings by 6 points from De Dycker.

Reigning champion Steve Ramon sat out the meeting after blood test results revealed that the Belgian was not fully recovered from the virus he suffered after the Grand Prix of Bulgaria three weeks ago. His medical team advised that several days rest was the best remedy to ensure the former World Champion would be in the best shape possible for the U.S. Grand Prix at Glen Helen on May 15th.
 

LS RACING HONDA

Ken De Dycker second in Beervelde

After the Dutch Grand Prix last week in Valkenswaard the LS Racing Honda riders continued in the sand. The second round of the Lotto Trophy Belgian Championship took place at the temporary Meganck-Collewaert track set in a sand quarry in Beervelde. De Dycker challenged eventual winner Desalle in all three motos, but at the end of the day the tall Belgian had to settle for second place. Shaun Simpson, on the podium in the opening round of the Trophy Lotto Mons, could not repeat this performance. Shaun finished fifth. De Dycker and Simpson are currently second and fourth in the championship standings.

The battle for pole position during qualifying was fierce with four riders within less than one second. Desalle was the fastest ahead of Guarneri and Simpson. Ken De Dycker posted the fifth time. In the first, and shortest sprint of the day, Simpson confirmed his reputation as a fast starter. The Scot sent his CRF450R to the holeshot in front of Leok and Desalle.

Unfortunately LS Honda Racing’s MX1 rookie was not able to capitalise on his strong start. Desalle soon took command of the race, while De Dycker bounced back after a mediocre start. Although Ken caught up with the leader, a small slip destroyed his rhythm. However De Dycker remained second, team mate Simpson came across the finish line in sixth.

The second moto saw a similar course of events with De Dycker hunting down Desalle after a short but intense battle for second with Guarneri. Once again the former British MX1 champion reeled in Desalle, but whilst overtaking backmarkers Ken’s left hand touched one of the iron fences. This stopped Keeno in his charge. Shaun managed to go one better place than in the opening race, Simpson was only some seconds behind Leok who was fourth.

In the last 30 minute plus one lap moto Simpson was the early leader before Desalle came by. Yet again a fight between De Dycker, who again had a mediocre start and Desalle would develop. Finally Ken managed to pass the MX-Panda after an impressive push to close a 6-second gap. Just before half race distance the LS Honda Racing star took control of the race, he resisted several passing attempts from Desalle. In the ultimate stage it was Desalle who had the upper hand. Shaun Simpson enjoyed his best performance of the day, coming home fourth right behind Italian Davide Guarneri.

Ken De Dycker: "All in all I am satisfied with my second place today. I had a very demanding week of practice and was somewhat tired before the start. It was very difficult to find the right setting here for both tyres and the suspension. Beervelde is always a difficult place in that regard. It was positive that I was able to push for as long as I could in all three motos. Especially because I still experienced discomfort in my back. That’s why I will continue to get some extra examinations in the days to come.”

Shaun Simpson: ”It was a tough day, I enjoyed the racing but the bumps and lines were so different than what we are used to! In the first set I was fourth until I made a mistake and went into the fence. In the second moto I crashed at the back of the track, at that time I was fourth and so Leok managed to squeeze by. My start was good in the final moto, but I did not have the speed to stay with the fastest guys. When Guarneri passed me I wanted to follow him get him back at the end of the race. Unfortunately he raced two very fast laps when I had two bad laps. Okay, the result could have been better, on the other hand we’re moving in the right direction. We did learn again about the bike and setup. Onwards and upwards!"


SHAUN SIMPSON
Simpson on the podium

Shaun Simpson LS Racing Honda made a welcome return to form when he placed fifth overall at the second round of the highly competitive Belgian domestic championship. Simpson who had struggled aboard his CRF450R at the Dutch Grand Prix just six days earlier, looked more like his old self as he placed 6-5-4 over the three motos, and improved on his performance each time out.

The old fashioned style circuit seemed to suit Shaun's more traditional riding style from the off as he placed third in the morning qualifying session behind Desalle and Guarneri and ahead of his team mate and previous round winner De Dycker. Round two of the series took place at a temporary Meganck-Collewaert track set in a sand quarry in Beervelde.

Simpson got the racing proper underway with a holeshot that put him out front of the first moto momentarily until he was out powered by Desalle and then De Dycker. Despite this the young Scot settled into a good rhythm and fended off the hard charging Guarneri until later in the race. However a mistake by Shaun in one of the tight hairpin corners saw him lose valuable places as he fought to untangle himself from the metal fence, leaving him down in sixth at the finish.

Race two was much the same story for the LS Racing Honda teamster, as once again he lost the front end, this time on a faster berm, and in doing so lost ground to his rivals. With Nagl out of the picture due to a reoccurring injury, the damage on this occasion was less severe with Simpson placing fifth in the second moto.

Shaun left his best ride to last taking fourth spot in the third and final outing of the day, to show that after the disappointment of last weekend in the Dutch sand, that his season is very much back on course. After two rounds of the series, Simpson now holds fourth place in the general standings and is within touching distance of third spot, just one point separates him from Guarneri.

Simpson talked about his day: "It was a tough day, I enjoyed the racing, but the bumps and lines were so different to what we are used to. In the first moto I was fourth until I made a mistake and went into the fence. In the second moto I crashed at the back of the track, at that time I was fourth and so Leok managed to squeeze by."

"My start was good in the final moto, but I did not have the speed to stay with the fastest guys. When Guarneri passed me I wanted to follow him and to get him back at the end of the race. Unfortunately he put in two very fast laps when I had two bad laps. Okay, the result could have been better, on the other hand we're moving in the right direction. We did learn again about the bike and setup. So its onwards and upwards from this point," ended Shaun.