STRIJBOS LOOKS FOR STRONG MX1 FINALE
16 September 2005 - Suzuki Racing

The 17th and final round of the 2005 FIM MX1 Motocross World Championships visits the Porters Pit circuit at Desertmartin for the Grand Prix of Ireland this weekend and Team Suzuki rider Kevin Strijbos will be hoping to seize a last opportunity to improve his ranking in the series onboard the RM-Z450 after an injury-ravaged campaign.

The 20 year old Belgian currently stands 16th in the Championship standings but has missed seven of the 16 races held so far and has suffered with strained ankle ligaments, a dislocated shoulder and thrombosis. With a maximum of 50 points up for grabs in the 2005 contest, there is a chance that Strijbos can move into 14th if he outscores Antti Pyrhonen and Yoshitaka Atsuta by 33 and 36 points respectively.

Last week, the Czech Grand Prix winner scored fifth position overall at Orp Le Grand for a Belgian Championship race. Despite a few small crashes, his riding was mainly good against a glut of World Championship regulars.

A regular venue on the high-profile British Championship schedule for a number of years, Porters Pit has been undergoing a steady stream of maintenance work in the last few months to the bring the circuit up to scratch for its first Grand Prix event.
Located around 30 minutes west of Belfast the course itself uses a dark, fine and sandy terrain that becomes rough, technical and physically demanding. The track weaves across several steep slopes and spectators have very generous views of the action. Practice and qualifying take place on Friday and the race programme will get underway Saturday.

Joel Smets is recovering from his twisted knee and subsequent operation earlier this month. The Belgian, who scored two moto victories and five podiums, lies sixth in the table despite missing the last four Grand Prix. The 36 year old may have made his last appearance for Team Suzuki but the former five times World Champion is assured on that sixth spot thanks to his superior points total over Pascal Leuret.

With Strijbos, Smets, Danny Theybers (MTM Suzuki) in 12th with a good chance of breaking into the top ten and Yoshitaka Atsuta (Motovision Racing Suzuki) hovering in 14th, although unable to rise any higher, Suzuki have four riders within the top fifteen of the World Championships. The firm are also set to finish fourth in the manufacturers standings.

The weather forecast for Saturday predicts sunshine with temperatures around 14-15 degrees.

Kevin Strijbos:

''My riding was ok last weekend and with the last Grand Prix coming this Saturday I am looking forward to some decent results. Lierop did not see me at my best and I was missing a bit of confidence on that track. I think the last few races have reflected what had happened this year because my pre-season was wrecked and I have always been fighting to try and reach a level that I know I am capable of. It will be good to finish 2005 and try to forget the bad times. Desertmartin will be another sandy GP and getting the starts will again be very important. I want to end the season with a positive finish and try for one more podium.''

MX1 World Championship (Standings after 16 rounds): 1 Stefan Everts, BEL 671. 2 Joshua Coppins, NZL 614. 3 Ben Townley, NZL 545. 4 Steve Ramon, BEL 465. 5 Mickael Pichon, FRA 446. 6 Joel Smets, BEL 385. 7 Pascal Leuret, FRA 296. 8 Ken de Dijcker, BEL 292. 9 Jonathan Barragan, SPA 284. 10 James Noble, GBR 282. 12 Danny Theybers, BEL 267. 14 Yoshitaka Atsuta, JPN 209. 16 Kevin Strijbos, BEL 173.

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