The FIM Motocross World Championship heads to Lierop, Netherlands for the Grand Prix of Benelux and with Tony Cairoli securing the MX1 crown in Brazil, the battle is now on between Marvin Musquin and Ken Roczen for the MX2 title.
Cairoli made sure of his second world title in a row – and fourth of his career – with the GP win on his KTM 350cc machine in Brazil two weeks ago. The Italian now has 36 GP wins to his name and is just two behind Eric Geboers.
Behind the Italian the race for second is heating up with as we head into the penultimate weekend of the season. Clement Desalle travelled to Brazil still challenging for the overall title, but his fall in the second heat there cost him valuable points and he is now looking over his shoulder as David Philippaerts and Max Nagl hunt him down.
Second place overall would cap a remarkable comeback for Nagl, who suffered an injury in America before missing a race in France and experiencing a mid-season loss of form. You can find out if he can make up any ground on Desalle live on Red Bull Web TV on Sunday.
Meanwhile in MX2, the riders head to the Netherlands with the title still up for grabs. Frenchman Musquin is well and truly in the box-seat as he enjoys a 72-point lead over Roczen, meaning a steady race in Lierop should bring him the title.
Roczen – who has won five of the last MX2 heats – will be going all out to win in the Netherlands and take the battle to the final race of the season in Italy. And, Teka Suzuki Europe World MX2 Team Manager Thomas Ramsbacher has high hopes for the 16-year-old.
"We are looking forward to Lierop and Ken is planning to win there as his confidence is very high and he has been the best performer over the last three grands prix," said Ramsbacher. "Since the week before Lommel we had some great help and a promising collaboration with SMC and from that point on we have been extremely competitive. Ken's win in the sand at Lommel means we can be hopeful for Lierop.
“Ken has progressed so much this year and I don't mean just in terms of his skills. Physically he has changed from a youth to a man and this has assisted his potential in the races.”
Unfortunately for Red Bull KTM Factory rider Jeffrey Herlings, he will miss his home GP through injury and with it the chance to close the gap to Steven Frossard in third.
Stay in touch with all the goings on from the Grand Prix of Benelux with our dedicated event site.
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