Teka Suzuki set for Loket MX1
By TMX Archives on 5th Aug 09
The 2009 FIM MX1 World Championship is reaching its conclusion and the 13th round of 15 on the calendar will take place this weekend at the hillside circuit of Loket for the Grand Prix of Czech Republic.
Only days after Ken De Dycker earned the team's first victory of the season at their home event in Belgium, Teka Suzuki World MX1 head to a track that has been a happy hunting ground in recent times with a yellow machine celebrating success in alternate years since 2005; the scene of the maiden GP triumph for the RM-Z450. If the trend continues, then either Steve Ramon will manage his first winner's trophy since Spain 2008 or De Dycker will go two-in-a-row for the first time in his career.
After his efforts in front of a partisan crowd last weekend - with his opening moto chequered flag representing the first for the crew in 2009 - De Dycker has gained enough points to push into contention for a top-three championship slot. He is currently fourth and five points from third and 32 from second place.
"It was a good win and felt great.... not one of the best but definitely memorable!" said the 25 year old who celebrated on the podium by throwing all of his kit into the crowd. "I have taken it easy this week," he continued. "A track like Lommel takes a lot out of you and I was still a bit stiff on Wednesday. We didn't really celebrate afterwards. When there is another GP only the next weekend there is not a great deal of time.
"Loket is a special kind of track and people either like it or they don't," he added. "I have come to like it in recent years and it can get quite rough in some sections. My only aim to try and win again and I know it is possible."
Lommel was the scene of a fine comeback for Ramon for his first grand prix after missing the last seven rounds. The former World Champion tied on points for the last podium slot in Belgium but just missed out due to the second moto ranking.
"I did not find the best rhythm in the second moto at Lommel and I knew I could be faster; that was a bit disappointing but then looking back quite encouraging in a way," said Ramon, who has taken several days to recuperate this week before beginning preparations for Loket.
"It is a strange track for me I have never had a good result there and I don't know why," he added concerning the next racing venue. "It is fast, slippery and you are fighting a lot of wheel-spin, so it is a track a bit different from what we normally find. For once I am going there and I don't have to worry so much about championship points so I can focus on my riding and we will see how it goes."
Loket is another staple fixture of the World Championship calendar and has been a part of the series since the start of the century. The layout is sprawled over one side of a steep hill affording a small glimpse of the hamlet that lies adjacent. The terrain is hard-pack and the stony consistency means that rider often have to apply themselves during practice to find a set-up that maximises grip. The natural dips and weaves of the track asks for a heavy throttle hand but usually creates some close racing.
The weather forecast for the weekend predicts cloudy but hot conditions.