After a weekend off in the MXGP World Championship schedule the series resumed in Latvia, Kegums at the weekend – a circuit the MXGP regulars know very well as it’s been on the calendar from 2009.
This year on Saturday, the track was very dry making the dirt unpredictable and slick in places but conditions that Gebben van Venrooy Yamaha rider, Calvin Vlaanderen enjoyed. Despite taking a crash in timed practice, he was able bring home a solid seventh in the qualifying race.
After overnight watering and then rain throughout the day the track was different on Sunday with softer and sandier conditions. In the first moto, Vlaanderen was able to grab a good start in fourth running a good pace before eventually finishing fifth – a good moto.
After even more rain the track was very difficult for the second moto and after starting in ninth, Vlaanderen made a couple of passes to end up a solid seventh. 5-7 was enough for sixth overall as the Gebben van Venrooy Yamaha rider remains super consistent and is seventh in the MXGP World Championship standings.
The team will now get ready for round nine of the series heading to Germany this weekend.
Calvin Vlaanderen (6th overall): It was yet again another solid GP in Latvia. Unfortunately, it didn’t all go to plan with a big crash in timed practice. Thankfully I didn’t hurt myself to badly and could go on to get a seventh in the qualifying race on Saturday. We made some changes to the bike for Sunday and I found some comfort with the bike. I had a good start in race one and made some quick passes to be in fourth after the first lap. I rode solid but lost the tow from the front three, I got passed by Glenn to finish fifth. The second race I didn’t get a good start and with the mud on the track it made it challenging. I had some struggles during the race and went into safe mode to come home in seventh. A few things I feel like I need to work on for the next round. Thanks to the team for all the efforts.
Words: Press Release
Image: Full Spectrum Media