Ramon takes World MX1 lead
Aug 2007
Steve Ramon finished fourth overall at the British Grand Prix on the RM-Z450 and as a result Suzuki now lead the Rider's and Manufacturer's standings of the FIM Motocross World Championship.And the team even had presence on the British podium at Donington Park as Kevin Strijbos took second position in front of 28,000 spectators in bright weather conditions.
The newly-created course at Donington Park involved many jumps and technical sections around the narrow layout. Ramon, struggling with a partially broken scaphoid, felt pain throughout the weekend in his wrists but was able to take 6th and 4th positions to move ahead of Josh Coppins (14th and a DNF) by 14 points with just 50 left to win this season. Again the 27 year old Belgian had to work for his spoils as a poor getaway in the first outing left him outside the top 10 on
the opening circulation.
"Today was great for the championship but I still really want to win," he said. "With my wrist it is not easy to get on the podium and I have to ride carefully. It has been tough the last few weeks. I know Josh has had problems but I have also not been fit. I have the red plate today though, which was the goal but there is still one GP to go and we are not there yet."
Strijbos, who was denied his third pole position of the season yesterday by half a second, rode strongly to win the first moto and then secured second place to Antonio Cairoli - making his debut in MX1 - after a dodgy start and lowly first lap placing to walk the rostrum for the third time in four races.
"I had problems with my starts today, especially in the second moto," the 22 year old remarked. "I was eighth or something on the first lap and Tony was already in the lead. I could not find the lines I wanted. I pushed hard but when I got to second the gap was already too big. Tony did a good job. I want to win in Lierop now. Steve has the lead in the championship and I want to help him there. I have proved in the last few races that I have come back to a good level and I think second is even possible in the final standings."
As Ramon also scaled the podium to collect the red plate to signify his status as the new championship leader, the standings made very positive reading for the team and manufacturer. Ramon has his 14 point lead and does not need to even finish second twice behind Coppins next week to make sure of his first MX1 crown, while Suzuki head the manufacturer's table by 29 points. Strijbos has moved up to third in the championship and is 24 points behind Coppins so the team can still aim for a one-two finish this year.
Team Suzuki head closer to home for the final Grand Prix of the season next week as the Dutch round of the world championship at Lierop closes the 15 race, six month calendar.
MX1 Moto1: 1. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), 39:51.315; ; 2. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), +0:09.194; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Honda), +0:16.306; 4. Mike Brown (USA, Honda), +0:18.954; 5. Tanel Leok (EST, Kawasaki), +0:33.673;6. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), +0:37.393; 7. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:46.607; 8. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Kawasaki), +0:48.012; 9. Julien Bill (SUI, Honda), +0:48.911; 10. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), +0:55.727
MX1 Moto2: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 40:10.950; ; 2. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki), +0:02.484; 3. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Honda), +0:23.197; 4. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), +0:26.293; 5. Tanel Leok (EST, Kawasaki), +0:29.593; 6. Mike Brown (USA, Honda), +0:32.917; 7. David Philippaerts (ITA, KTM), +0:39.324; 8. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:43.471; 9. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), +0:45.977; 10. Julien Bill (SUI, Honda), +0:47.839
MX1 World Championship Standings (after 14 of 15 rounds): 1 RAMON 466, 2 COPPINS 452, 3 STRIJBOS 428, 4 POURCEL 427, 5 PHILIPPAERTS, 6 DE DYCKER 385, 7 BARRAGAN 347, 8 BROWN 344, 9 LEOK 341, 10 MACKENZIE 319.
Manufacturer Standings: 1. SUZUKI 571, 2. YAMAHA 542, 3. KAWASAKI 525, 4. KTM 514, 5. HONDA 503.
