With no round of the FIM World Motocross Championship last weekend several Grand Prix riders took their weekend to race some National races. The big winners were Belgian MX1 riders Ken De Dycker (KTM) and Kevin Strijbos (KTM), who won in Belgium and Ireland respectively, and British youngster Mel Pocock (Yamaha), who won the MX2 class in Ireland.

De Dycker riding for the Red Bull KTM Factory team won in muddy conditions at the former Grand Prix of Belgium circuit Kester, he scored 3-1 results, beating home a host of Grand Prix riders. Second overall in Kester was another Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeremy Van Horebeek, and third overall was Jeremy Delince. Also included in the field were Tanel Leok, Jeffrey Herlings, Evgeny Bobryshev, Rui Gonçalves and Davide Guarneri.

“Racing in these muddy conditions is very difficult,” De Dycker said. “Still I wanted to make the best of it, especially for all those fans who have paid to watch us and for the club who always put tremendous effort into their races.”

At another former Grand Prix circuit (Desert Martin) Kevin Strijbos won the MX1 class and Mel Pocock won the MX2 class. Both riders showed good speed, just as they have done in the last couple of Grand Prix’s.

Strijbos of the HM Plant KTM UK motocross team was more than happy with his overall victory and he is now looking towards Sweden where he will contest the next round of the FIM World MX1 Championship. Going 1-1-1 for the overall victory showed that the Belgian is back to his best form. Second overall in the MX1 class was Irish Martin Barr and third place went to Matiss Karro.

“I think it was a perfect day,” Strijbos said. “I took three holeshots, led every lap and won all three motos. In the first race I had a little bit of arm pump so I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted to, but in the second and third races I had no problems and I could push really hard early on and then relax towards the end of the motos. Overall I’m really happy, after the last round I was a little bit down because I gave so many points away but now I’m back on top of the championship. The team is working hard and I think all that hard work is paying off. Hopefully now I can hold the red plate for the rest of the season.”

Monster Energy Yamaha rider Pocock, who won the opening round of the EMX250 Championship a few weeks ago, also looked strong in Ireland last weekend, but had to work hard for his overall win. The 19 year old beat home Elliot Banks Browne and Steven Lenoir.

All these Grand Prix riders will now head to Uddevalla, Sweden, for the next round of the FIM World MX1 and MX2 Championship where they will try and continue their good form.

Read the next news: Swedish Legends – World Champions (26 Jun 2012)

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