Double MX1 Podium For RM-Z450

The potency of the RM-Z450s in contrasting weather conditions was aptly demonstrated when Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon both finished on the podium today in front of 25,000 spectators at an overcast and very wet Sevlievo circuit for the sixth round of the 2006 FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship.

The Grand Prix of Bulgaria was a success for the Belgian team and the works RM-Z450s - carrying minor modifications in the wake of the Japanese round a fortnight ago - that had to negotiate dry and fast conditions in the first moto of 35 minutes and two laps race distance before torrential downpours flooded the track and created a slippery messy test for the riders in the second outing.

Kevin Strijbos walked away with his third set of silverware this season by finishing runner-up twice behind double victor and currently untouchable World Champion Stefan Everts. The 20-year-old Belgian was confident on the long hills and steep drops in both sets of track conditions and pulled through from mid-top 10 starts to secure the second step on the podium. Strijbos, now in his fourth season with the team, was particularly impressive in cutting through a four-rider tussle for second spot early in the first moto and was only really threatened in the closing stages of Moto two when Steve Ramon decided to make his presence felt from third place.

Ramon had earlier beaten Tanel Leok and Brian Jorgensen to follow his team-mate to the chequered flag and wanted a closer bite of the cherry in the second race despite having to ditch his mud-splattered goggles and traverse the slime with limited vision. The puddles and gunk meant that the smallest error could prove costly while also pushing the limits of the machines to the maximum.

The Suzuki-dominated podium represents the best overall result of the season for the Belgian crew and now brings the total of top three appearances to six from six Grands Prix. Strijbos is third in the World Championship standings and only two points from a now-familiar second place. Ramon is fifth and just six points from further elevation.

The seventh round of the series now follows hard upon in the most intense period of the campaign. Team Suzuki will head to the Montevarchi circuit near Florence for the Grand Prix of Italy next week before then making their way to Great Britain seven days later.

Kevin Strijbos:"In the first race my start was not so bad; I was around 10th but I could make up some places easily on the first few laps. When I reached second, Stefan had gone. I tried to close the gap but it was not easy and I had to be content with second place. In the second heat I messed up my start and was almost last. I pushed hard and when the rain arrived the track became even more rutted with large puddles everywhere. I was still able to overtake and again arrived to second. On the last few laps, Steve came pretty close and I had to pick my speed up to make sure of the result."

Steve Ramon:"Yesterday I was struggling to get a good lap in Timed Practice but already in the warm-up I felt better and that made me confident for the races. I started well in the first heat and was around fifth or something. I got into second and could follow Stefan but in the middle of the race Kevin passed me; third wasn’t too bad. In the second moto the rain came and I had to ditch my goggles. I almost had to stop a few times and clear my eyes because following people was very difficult. There was so much water but I was able to get into third and challenge Kevin. I almost got him. Kevin took four points on me but overall for the Championship I did a good job today."

Sylvain Geboers - Team Owner:"This is the kind of result we expect from these guys. They have the potential to do this race after race. Finally they are both settled with the bikes and with the dry and wet conditions in both heats those kinds of positions are very difficult. They were getting close to Stefan in both races and that was very encouraging. It seems like the small improvements have helped, especially mentally. We expect to continue this way. The Suzuki worked very well in those wet conditions which can really test the engine as well as the chassis."