Philippaerts takes 4th in Limburg

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Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team's David Philippaerts put in a noteworthy performance at Lommel in front of almost 24,000 spectators to finish arguably one of the toughest rounds of the FIM MX1-GP World Championship in 4th position overall.

The Italian motored to 4th and 6th in the two motos of the Grand Prix of Limburg under bright skies for the eleventh round of fifteen in the 2010 season.

After scoring 10th and 9th in the past two years the technically and physically difficult lumps and bumps of the Lommel sand seemed to be an unhappy hunting ground for the Italian but two excellent starts - in which he fully utilised the potency of the 2010 YZ450FM to rally his way around the open first turn into the top three -helped the 25 year old bury his Belgian jinx.

DP19 was part of a four rider tussle for 3rd in the first moto and pushed his energy levels fully into reserve to make sure of 4th by the end of the 35 minutes and 2 laps. Another pulsating encounter with Clement Desalle was ended in the second race after the 2008 world champion tipped off his machine briefly while trying to overtake the Belgian. He lost ground but still kept a decent rhythm in testing conditions to classify 6th.

Brand-mate and Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci MX Team's Ken De Dycker entered his home event with memories of his 2009 success at the same venue but fully aware that his lack of riding time through the summer break as a consequence of his gruesome arm injury in Sweden would be a disadvantage. The German GP winner was not among the leading troupe but did well to finish 7th and 5th for 6th place by the end of the day.

In the world championship standings Philippaerts defends 3rd spot by 16 points from Max Nagl and trail Desalle by 41. De Dycker is 6th and needs 42 over Steve Ramon to breach the top five.

On the same weekend the tenth round of twelve in the MX3 world championship took place at Schwedt in Germany. Carlos Campano had amassed nine moto wins from eighteen prior to the meeting and headed the series by 15 points on his YZ450F. The Spaniard was victorious again with a 2-1 scorecard and extended his advantage to 20 points over Alex Salvini.

The Grand Prix of Czech Republic will take place at the fast and hard-pack Loket circuit next weekend; the site of a David Philippaerts victory in 2008.

David Philippaerts, Yamaha Monster Energy MX Team:

"I did not have the best start yesterday in the heat race but the team did some good work and we were much better today. I had a good line around the first corner and tucked in behind Nagl, who always seems to be right at the front. So I was really happy with the performance and the tactic at the start and it made things easier for sure. I was riding well in the first moto and was consistent with the lap-times and this is important at Lommel. I had a crash with Desalle in the second moto, and incidents like this are part of the sport. I liked the track more this year compared to 2009; it is faster and more similar to somewhere like Lierop, which I really enjoy and for my style is better. To finish fourth overall is very good for me here and I am in good shape. We go to Loket now and I like this place. I won in 2008 because I was angry from my result in Lommel the week before and I took a podium result last year in difficult times. We will see what we can do next week. The bike is running well and we will keep on working."

Ken De Dycker, Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci MX Team:

"Today went OK and I was not expecting too much. With everything that has gone on in the last weeks and not being able to ride because of my arm I have to be happy with seventh and fifth. I was perhaps a bit too slow in the first moto but I wanted to save something for the second. The second was better and I think with some training this week I will be sharper for Loket. Normally I don't get blisters but my hands are covered in them now so that's just an indication of the bike time I have missed since Sweden."Girlracer magazine

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