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STRIJBOS HOPES FOR ITALIAN SUCCESS |
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Thursday, 03 May 2007 |
STRIJBOS HOPES FOR ITALIAN SUCCESS
 Portuguese MX1 Grand Prix winner Kevin Strijbos is hoping to be as fit as
possible for the fourth round of the FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship at
Mantova this weekend in Italy.
The Belgian pulled out of the Flanders MX
trophy in Belgium on Tuesday after an incident in qualification led to the 21
year old needing treatment to his left knee.
"It does not feel too bad,
not painful at all and the swelling has gone down," he said. "It does not bother
me when I am riding but I have limited flexion and the fact that some blood
needed to be drained was not good. I don't think it is serious."
Strijbos
needed minor surgery on the knee prior to the first Grand Prix of the season and
has since taken results of fourth, second and first to sit second in the series
behind Josh Coppins. The triumph in Portugal ended the New Zealander's two race
unbeaten streak.
"Josh said that he was riding a little hurt and we will
see how he is this weekend, although I think I might also be struggling to be
100%," Strijbos added. "It felt really good to win again in Portugal. I was
tired after that GP but at the same time full of energy! I trained hard that
week and feel physically very fit."
Last weekend, a day before the
Flanders event, he just missed the podium at Moerbeke for the third round of the
United Telecom Belgian Championship. "I am not disappointed with that fourth
position at all," he commented. "I made a decision on the day because the track
was quite dangerous and I did not want to take any risks. I had trouble finding
some decent lines and opted to make my laps as quick as I could but not stepping
over the line."
Steve Ramon on the other hand gained second position
overall at Moerbeke. The defending national champion was able to extend his lead
in the standings thanks to moto results of 2-2-3 and now heads Manuel Priem by
43 points. "I am looking forward to Mantova now because my riding was fast and I
had a good feeling on the bike last weekend," he said. "De Dycker was strong in
all three motos but I was not far away."
Ramon is looking to bounce back
from two Grands Prix of misfortune and has not taken a podium slot since the
opening round at Valkenswaard last month. "I want to do well in Italy because I
am already tired of the bad luck I have been having," the 26 year old, who
currently stands fourth in the standings and 58 points adrift of leader Coppins,
commented.
"The championship is now looking difficult but I will not give up
and keeping pushing all the way until the last Grand Prix. Josh will be
consistent all year so to close a gap like that will not be easy, but I want to
win GPs and there is still so much that could happen."
The flat,
semi-sandy terrain at Mantova hosts a Grand Prix for the first time since 2000
as the Italian Federation continues its revolving policy of using a different
venue each year. The course is however known to a large contingent of the world
championship paddock as the circuit hosts the popular Starcross International
meeting each February; acting as the traditional curtain-raiser for the off-road
calendar after the winter period.
Several months ago Strijbos and Ramon
gained top 10 positions overall at the site east of Milan and a short distance
north of Bologna. After two Grand Prix on hard surfaces in Spain and Portugal
the soft terrain of Mantova will provide a different test.
"It is a good
track to ride and the sand is obviously a good surface for me," said Strijbos
"but it will be a hard weekend because there are many jumps and not many places
to grab a quick break. The jumps make the track fun, but a lot of
work."
"I have to agree with Kevin and say that Mantova is a physically
demanding track but we know the course from the International and the conditions
will be the same for everyone," opined Ramon. "It is a little bit different to
other GP circuits because it is mainly flat and enclosed with jumps built
around. I hear the weather might not be so good so there will be plenty of ruts
and getting a good start will be very important."
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