Van Horebeek impressive at home MX GP

KTM Factory Junior racer, Jeremy Van Horebeek, has shown impressive speed and determination at his home GP in Lommel, Belgium for round 13 of the FIM Motocross World championships.   Nineteen-year-old Van Horebeek, achieved his first ever podium placing at the same venue last year and seemed determined to repeat his early season successes when he stepped on the podium  in Faenza, Italy and later won his maiden MX2 GP in Spain.

Saturday’s qualification started well for “The Jerre” as he quickly positioned himself into second position, giving chase to championship leader Marvin Musquin.  With five minutes left on the clock Van Horebeek went missing after his bike bogged throwing him over the bars and out of contention.

Light rain showers and overcast skies threatened to put a dampener on the event yet thousands of enthusiastic  spectators lines the Lommel circuit with umbrellas and raincoats to cheer and support their favourites.  Having to start from the far outside Van Horebeek did the impossible and blitzed his opening lap as he emerged in 14^th spot.  One by one he picked off riders at every opportunity and by the end of a grueling 35 minute and 2 lap race,  he has secured an amazing 4^th spot.

The start of Moto 2 would see any chance of a podium spot go out the window when  ‘The Jerre’ had to pull into pit lane to repair a faulty ‘hole-shot’ device.  Rejoining the race in last place Van Horebeek put his head down and raced back to 13^th spot however with five minutes he was hi-sided before the mechanics area  and had to re-start the race in 18th.  A hard charge in the last two laps saw Van Horebeek salvage two spots to end 16^th.

“Lommel is where I got my first podium so I wanted to prove a point this weekend, especially in front of my home crowd.  My speed was really good, even though I have been off the bike for a while with my shoulder and considering where I had to start on the gate I know I made the most of a bad situation.  It was great to have all my fans cheering me on especially in the first moto when I came from far back to finish 4^th. That was a great ride for me.  I was really motivated for the second moto but then we experienced a technical problem so I had to do the best I could from the back of the pack.   My focus is still to finish off the 3 last GP’s with a strong result.”  explained an optimistic Van Horebeek.

The picturesque circuit of Loket is next on the calendar when  round 13 visits the Czech Republic next weekend.

Image: CDS

www.thejerre.com

Race results:

MX2 Race 1
1 Musquin, Marvin FRA KTM
2 Goncalves, Rui POR KTM
3 Roelants, Joel BEL KTM
4 van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL KTM
5 Verbruggen, Dennis BEL Honda
6 Roczen, Ken GER Suzuki
7 Guarneri, Davide ITA Yamaha
8 Jorgensen, Rasmus DEN Suzuki
9 Monni, Manuel ITA Yamaha
10 Larrieu, Loic FRA Yamaha
11 Nicholls, Jake GBR KTM
12 Boissiere, Anthony FRA KTM
13 Aubin, Nicolas FRA Yamaha
14 Larsen, Nikolai DEN Suzuki
15 Paulin, Gautier FRA Kawasaki

MX2 Race 2
1 Musquin, Marvin FRA KTM
2 Roelants, Joel BEL KTM
3 Verbruggen, Dennis BEL Honda
4 Aubin, Nicolas FRA Yamaha
5 Schiffer, Marcus GER KTM
6 Roczen, Ken GER Suzuki
7 Jorgensen, Rasmus DEN Suzuki
8 Goncalves, Rui POR KTM
9 Guarneri, Davide ITA Yamaha
10 Monni, Manuel ITA Yamaha
11 Larrieu, Loic FRA Yamaha
12 Boissiere, Anthony FRA KTM
13 Paulin, Gautier FRA Kawasaki
14 Pocock, Mel GBR Yamaha
15 Tonus, Arnaud SUI KTM
16 van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL KTM

MX2 GP Overall:
1 Musquin, Marvin FRA KTM 50
2 Roelants, Joel BEL KTM 42
3 Verbruggen, Dennis BEL Honda 36
4 Goncalves, Rui POR KTM 35
5 Roczen, Ken GER Suzuki 30
6 Jorgensen, Rasmus DEN Suzuki 27
7 Aubin, Nicolas FRA Yamaha 26
8 Guarneri, Davide ITA Yamaha 26
9 Monni, Manuel ITA Yamaha 23
10 van Horebeek, Jeremy BEL KTM 23
11 Larrieu, Loic FRA Yamaha 21
12 Boissiere, Anthony FRA KTM 18
13 Schiffer, Marcus GER KTM 16
14 Paulin, Gautier FRA Kawasaki 14
15 Pocock, Mel GBR Yamaha 11