SUZUKI MX1 DUO ON FORM FOR GERMANY

Team Suzuki MX1 riders Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon head to Germany this weekend for round four of the FIM MX1 World Championships at Teutschenthal, both on form and set to improve on their top-seven positions.

A Suzuki rider has been present on the podium at the last two Grands Prix and both Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon have both collected silverware. Strijbos is currently fourth in the series, one point from third and 16 from second spot. With Sebastien Tortelli out injured for two months, there is a real possibility that the team could leave eastern Germany with a top-three berth prior to the trip to Japan in three weeks.

Strijbos is enjoying some good form at present after his runner-up position in Portugal and victory last weekend at a Belgian International in his home town of Wuustwezel with 1-3-1 scores in the three motos. "It was a good race. I had some arm-pump in the first moto and although I won, it was not easy," the 20 year old said. "We changed the suspension for the rest of the day and we did not have any more problems. I crashed at the start in the second race and came from last to third and then in the last moto I holeshotted and was gone. I was happy to win because I had a lot of fans there.

"After the podium in Portugal and the race in Belgium, I am feeling confident for this weekend," he continued. "Teutschenthal is a fast track and it is not that complicated. We should see quite a few riders grouped together and I don’t think it will be that easy for Everts this time. Again it will be important to take a good start to be with the front guys."Steve Ramon is back to full fitness after his high-speed crash in Portugal that caused him to DNF the second moto and leave the circuit with a damaged shoulder and bashed head.

"I had to rest for a week after hitting my head but I went practicing last Sunday and everything is fine now, " he commented. "I was disappointed about the GP in Portugal mainly because I lost a lot of points and dropped to seventh in the Championship. With Tortelli crashing out, I could easily have been third now."I want to be ready for Teutschenthal and take a good result to be right back up there. The track is nice to ride and there is more grip when it is a little wet. Everybody is fast around that circuit so the start is crucial again; we’ll see how it goes," he added.

The Talkessel circuit in the small town of Teutschenthal houses a grippy and fast course that features many undulations and inclines within its ‘bowl’ setting. The German circuit holds the rather unusual honour of hosting two Grands Prix for different countries; specifically the East German GP in 1971 (250) and West German 500cc race in 1993.The team gained a podium result at the venue 12 months ago thanks to Joel Smets but Strijbos missed the event due to injury. Steve Ramon was 10th overall but came third in the second moto.

The weather forecast for the weekend predicts sunny and warm conditions although there is a chance of showers on Friday.

MX1 World Championship standings (after 3 rounds of 15): 1. Stefan Everts, BEL 142, 2. Tanel Leok, EST 115, 3. Sebastien Tortelli, FRA 99, 4. Kevin Strijbos, BEL 98, 5. Jonathan Barragan, SPA 97, 6. Ken de Dycker, BEL 97, 7. Steve Ramon, BEL 83, 8. Cedric Melotte, BEL 66, 9. Pascal Leuret, FRA 65, 10. Manuel Priem, BEL 53.