N
ineteen-year-old Kevin
Strijbos recorded his first
Grand Prix victory of his
career at a very wet
Loket Circuit in the
Czech Republic. The triumph, courtesy
of a strong fourth place in the opening
moto and his third career moto win in
the second heat, was the maiden MX I
victory for Team Suzuki and the RMZ450, and it was the team's first win in
the premier class since Mickael Pichon
won in 2003.
Heavy rain coated the loose Czech dirt
and, although the surface became
rougher and more technical, it was still
slippery and very difficult to pass on.
Decent starts were a crucial factor, and
Strijbos' exit from the gate was effective
on both occasions. The young Belgian
showed no signs of his recent injury troubles all weekend, reeling off 4-1 moto
scores to claim the overall victory.
Strijbos avoided big first-corner crashes in both races and thrilled the 19,000
32
spectators in the second moto by seizing
the lead and holding on to the point position all the way to the checkered
Strijbos and defending champ Ster
Everts, who went I-4 on the day, finis
equal on points when all was said
done, but Strijbos was awarded the
prize via his tiebreaking second-moto vic·
tory. Strijbos' result was even more surprising considering that just the week
before, in similar conditions in Belgiu
he finished 14th overall.
Strijbos became the fifth rider
record an MX I victory this season.
Series leader and defending Cha
Everts was able to salvage second 0
at an overcast Loket circuit. The ,
convincingly owned the first mota
he overtook teammate Brian J
and proceeded to show Pichon
the fast and slippery Czech slo
allowed precious few passing opportunities.
The second moto began in explosive
style. A first-corner pileup claimed a numlbe~1iiIlIl
AUGUST 24,2005 • CYCLE NEWS
