HOME GP AWAITS SUZUKI MX1 TEAM

The daunting and historic setting of the Citadelle, located directly in the centre of the city of Namur in Belgium, awaits Team Suzuki and the RM-Z450 motorcycles this weekend in the squad’s home Grand Prix and the 12th stop of 15 in the 2006 FIM MX1 World Championship.

With Kevin Strijbos and Steve Ramon in second and third positions respectively, the team will now be focussing on securing those places in the ranking. Series leader Stefan Everts, who has won every event this year, needs only one point over Strijbos to confirm a record 10th world title at his favourite circuit.

What more can be said about Namur? The narrow, dark and very ‘enduro-esque’ path through the park, in-and-around the Citadelle fortress, is unique. Parallels can be drawn to the Isle of Man TT course for road racing or the Monaco F1 circuit for car racing. While spectacular, charismatic and steeped in tradition, the course also verges on being dangerous with the tree-lined layout and near vertical drops a formidable test for the modern motocross motorcycle.

Strijbos missed the 2005 edition of the event due to thrombosis but placed fourth in 2004. "I can’t say that I am a big fan of Namur. I don’t like the track," he asserted. "The event itself is a little bit special but the course is thin and dangerous being flanked by all the trees. I just hope that I can get a podium there and stop Everts from winning the title. It is a little bit out of my hands now because even if I win he only has to finish in the top 20. Even as a Belgian, I do not want to see Everts win in Namur!"

Ramon is a fan of the track and finished third in the first moto in 2004 as well as shining in the 125cc class. "It is a unique track and when you race there for the first time it is difficult to get your head around the course; local knowledge can really help," remarked Ramon. "I like it though. It is very technical and I have made some good results in past years so I am looking forward to it. There are a lot of trees and roots as the mud becomes worn and that makes it a little bit dangerous but the fans and atmosphere is unlike any other GP."

Said Team owner and director Sylvain Geboers: "As a team, going to Namur is another Grand Prix for us. We are on home turf and of course we are proud if we do well in front of our supporters but there are so many Belgians going for those podium places.

"It will be something special for Stefan Everts to win his 10th title there," he added. "It is unlikely that anyone will achieve what he has again and it gives us satisfaction to know that Suzuki were a part of his career. He was with us for five years and won his first title on a Suzuki, so to know that we set him on this path is a proud thing for the team and also the company.

"The season has been good so far," he summarised. "We would like to be a little bit more secure in second and third but the results have been positive. We always want to win first but this year it has been difficult. There are a lot of good riders behind Stefan and we understand what we have to do in order to be successful next season. We believe completely that the bikes are ready to win and that can also be seen by the success of Ricky Carmichael."