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SUZUKI: MX1 WORLD CHAMPIONS!
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SUZUKI: MX1 WORLD CHAMPIONS!
September 2, 2007
Team Suzuki Press Office - September 2, 2007.
Steve Ramon, Team Suzuki and the RM-Z450 wrapped up the Rider's and
Manufacturer's
FIM MX1 Motocross World Championships with third position overall today
through the
rough and dark sand of Lierop for the Grand Prix of the Netherlands and
the final
round of the 2007 series as Kevin Strijbos won his fourth GP of the
season.
The 27-year-old Belgian lifted his first crown in the category after
taking 22
points for second place in the first moto. The result gave him a
superior numerical
advantage of 35 going into the last race of the season in which he took
third spot.
Strijbos rode well to earn first and second positions and finish as
runner-up in the
final 2007 ranking meaning that the team and Suzuki fill the first two
places and
completed a clean sweep of honours.
The Grand Prix was a memorable one for Ramon, who was part of the
Belgian team that
toasted victory at the Motocross of Nations here three years ago. The
former 125cc
world champ and current Belgian number one has now added the premier MX1
crown to
his collection and is the only rider in the class to have scored points
in all 30 GP
motos this season.
Ramon won two motos and collected six podiums on his way to the
championship and
although he was assisted by an injury to pace-setter Josh Coppins - the
New
Zealander withdrew from the Grand Prix this weekend - he also had to
negotiate the
last five rounds of the campaign with torn tendon in his left wrist.
Today, Ramon guided the RM-Z450 to second position behind runaway victor
and overall
winner Strijbos in the first moto. The runner-up slot confirmed his
status as the
new champion for this season while Strijbos' sixth moto success of the
year lifted
him above the absent Coppins and into second.
The pair took part in a thrilling second moto tussle against Marc de
Reuver for the
lead: All three swapped positions as the pace fluctuated through the 35
minutes and
two laps. Eventually it proved too much for Ramon who slipped back into
a lonely
third place. A last lap showdown took place between De Reuver and
Strijbos with the
Dutchman taking control with only a few corners remaining although
Strijbos was
already guaranteed the top step of the rostrum. After an exciting finale
to the
calendar the day thoroughly belonged to the team and Ramon especially.
"I was really happy to see all the people at the finish line. I knew a
little bit
what to expect after the first world title but it is a great feeling;
that moment
when it hits you 'I'm World Champion'," said Ramon who has dropped out
of the top
five only 11 times in 30 outings. "I'm really happy with my second title
and I have
been working hard for this. I want to thank the team, my sponsors and
everybody
close to me who have been just as dedicated.
"My riding was going well in the second moto but Kevin was really fast
today," he
continued. "We had a good battle. I ended up making a couple of mistakes
and had
some cramps in my legs so I had to slow down.
"I had bad luck at the start of the season with some poor starts, a few
crashes and
then always having to come back through the pack. Around the middle of
the year it
started to get better and I took some wins and also some podiums but I
had another
setback with the crash at Loket and from that point until this race it
was difficult
to race with my wrist.
"It has been a strange season: I have had some bad results but I also
know that it
is important to fight for every point. It has not been my best year but
I'm still
the champion. We are now going to party tonight and also tomorrow!"
"It was very tough today because the track was so hard," commented
Strijbos, who
enjoyed his last ride with the team today. "The first moto was good - I
had the
right lines and could pull away - and then I had a nice battle with Marc
and Steve
in the second. It was hard work and I was really tired but it was
enjoyable. I just
lost out to Marc at the end because he had more momentum through the
whoops but the
overall win was mine.
"My knee is pretty painful and has been for the last two GPs. I will
have an
operation next Wednesday now and unfortunately I'll miss the 'Nations."
"I'm really excited and emotional," beamed Team Principal Sylvain
Geboers.
"Everything went to plan and all our pre-season goals have been
fulfilled. I am so
happy for Suzuki and for all our partners who have never given up and
always
continued to support us. Of course it is not possible without the riders
and Kevin
and Steve also gave their maximum. To finish first and second is
fantastic; what
else can I say."
Ramon will now aim to defend his Belgian championship with two further
rounds
remaining in the domestic series. He will fly to the USA in three weeks
to represent
his country in the 61st Motocross of Nations but Strijbos will undergo
surgery on
his troublesome knee and is will miss the trip to America.
MX1 Moto1:1. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), 40:12.396; 2. Steve Ramon (BEL,
Suzuki),
+0:11.238; 3. Marc de Reuver (NED, Yamaha), +0:19.430; 4. Ken de Dycker
(BEL,
Honda), +0:39.931; 5. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:52.146; 6.
Manuel Priem
(BEL, TM), +0:58.104; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +1:06.551; 8. David
Philippaerts (ITA, KTM), +1:14.334; 9. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA,
Kawasaki), +1:16.102;
10. James Noble (GBR, Honda), +1:20.447.
MX1 Moto2: 1. Marc de Reuver (NED, Yamaha), 41:27.025;2. Kevin Strijbos
(BEL,
Suzuki), +0:05.705; 3. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), +0:49.502; 4. Ken de
Dycker (BEL,
Honda), +1:02.256; 5. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Kawasaki), +1:05.169; 6.
Manuel Priem
(BEL, TM), +1:27.380; 7. Tanel Leok (EST, Kawasaki), +1:28.693; 8.
Marvin van Daele
(BEL, Honda), +1:29.439; 9. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +2:06.241; 10.
Mike Brown
(USA, Honda), +2:12.382.
MX1 Overall Result:1. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), 47 points; 2. Marc
de Reuver
(NED, Yamaha), 45 p.; 3. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 42 p.; 4. Ken de
Dycker (BEL,
Honda), 36 p.; 5. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Kawasaki), 32 p.; 6. Manuel
Priem (BEL, TM),
30 p.; 7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 26 p.; 8. Marvin van Daele (BEL,
Honda), 23
p.; 9. Aigar Leok (EST, Yamaha), 19 p.; 10. James Noble (GBR, Honda), 19
p
MX1 Final World Championship Standings:1.Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 508
points; 2.
Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), 475 p.; 3. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha),
452 p.; 4.
Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 439 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL,
Honda), 421 p.; 6.
David Philippaerts (ITA, KTM), 419 p.; 7. Mike Brown (USA, Honda), 361
p.; 8. Tanel
Leok (EST, Kawasaki), 355 p.; 9. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Kawasaki), 351
p.; 10.
Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 347 p
MX1 Manufacturer's World Championship Standings:1. Suzuki 618, 2. Yamaha
587, 3.
Kawasaki 557, 4. KTM 540, 5. Honda 539.
For more stories about Steve Ramon, click here.For photos, click here
For more stories about Kevin Strijbos, click here.For photos, click here
Steve Ramon, Team Suzuki and the RM-Z450 wrapped up the Rider's and
Manufacturer's
FIM MX1 Motocross World Championships with third position overall today
through the
rough and dark sand of Lierop for the Grand Prix of the Netherlands and
the final
round of the 2007 series as Kevin Strijbos won his fourth GP of the
season.
Suzuki has taken first and second places in the World MX1 Championship
after
dominating today's final round at Lierop in Holland.
Steve Ramon has won the World MX1 Championship after finishing second to
team mate
Kevin Strijbos in today's opening moto of the final 15th round in Lierop,
Holland.
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