SIXTH FOR STRIJBOS IN FRENCH SEASON FINALE

Courtesy of Team Suzuki Press Office

Team Suzuki Press Office – September 17. 

Kevin Strijbos – 6-8 for 6th 

Kevin Strijbos put in two solid motos at a treacherous Villars-sous-Ecot track that had been drenched by rain throughout this weekend. The Belgian rider had to come through the field in both races and ended up putting himself inside the top 10 in what were extremely muddy conditions. 

He had this to say about his performance today: “Race day today was sketchy in some places because of all the rain we’ve had this weekend. In the first moto I made a crash in the start and came back from last all the way to sixth. I felt good though, I had some good lines, even if I did have to come from the back. Second moto was pretty similar as I again had to come from the back. I didn’t get a great start and in the first few corners it was so difficult with all the mud and riders going left and right and trying to keep the goggles clear. Once I got past the first few corners I tried to do my best but it wasn’t easy as it then started to rain again. I ended up eighth, which could have been better but I was happy I could finish as at the end the track was getting quite dangerous with all the rain affecting the track. 

“I’d like to thank the whole team for all their hard work the last two years. It was a shame that we didn’t get the podiums that we wanted due to the injuries that I suffered but I just want to thank them for doing such a good job, they worked really hard with the new RM-Z450WS and all the testing involved with that. It’s sad to leave the brand because I’ve always felt good here, I’ve always felt at home here and on the bikes. Now it’s time to move on, but before we have one last race at the Motocross of Nations where I will try to do my best and end strong, just as I have throughout my career.” 

General Manager Stefan Everts also congratulated Strijbos on his end of season form, and for his career on Suzuki as a whole. “It was Kevin’s last GP on Suzuki and in the first moto he crashed in the start and had troubles with his goggles but he rode fantastically well and came back to sixth position. The start wasn’t the best again in the second moto and he had to come through the pack once again. Eventually he finished eighth, which continues his good form at the end of this season. He had a few top five finishes and in this class and with this competition they were good results. I want to thank Kevin for all his years with Suzuki, for what he’s done with the team and wish him the best of luck for the future.” 

A sad moment for Strijbos, but the Suzuki World MXGP riders and team members can look back on a season filled with positive results, filled with headlines throughout the year that started off with the launch of the brand-new RM-Z450WS. Both Arminas Jasikonis and Strijbos have battled hard every round and can look back at 2017 with good memories. 

MXGP Moto 1: 1. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), 36:11.477; 2. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +0:11.247; 3. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:39.593; 4. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:50.557; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +2:02.538; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki World MXGP), -1 lap(s); 7. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), -1 lap(s); 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), -1 lap(s); 9. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), -1 lap(s); 10. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), -1 lap(s). 

MXGP Moto 2: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 34:48.664; 2. Max Anstie (GBR, Husqvarna), +0:05.272; 3. Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:36.515; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, Yamaha), +1:02.368; 5. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, Yamaha), +1:38.161; 6. Gautier Paulin (FRA, Husqvarna), +1:40.996; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, Yamaha), +1:46.297; 8. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki World MXGP), +1:56.974; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), +2:05.011; 10. Tanel Leok (EST, Husqvarna), -1 lap(s).

MXGP Overall: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 45 points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 45 p.; 3. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 40 p.; 4. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 40 p.; 5. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 31 p.; 6. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki World MXGP), 28 p.; 7. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 27 p.; 8. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 27 p.; 9. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 26 p.; 10. Shaun Simpson (GBR, YAM), 16 p.

MXGP Points Standings: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 722 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), 672 p.; 3. Gautier Paulin (FRA, HUS), 602 p.; 4. Clement Desalle (BEL, KAW), 544 p.; 5. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 530 p.; 6. Romain Febvre (FRA, YAM), 519 p.; 7. Jeremy Van Horebeek (BEL, YAM), 443 p.; 8. Maximilian Nagl (GER, HUS), 439 p.; 9. Max Anstie (GBR, HUS), 436 p.; 10. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, KTM), 424 p.; 11. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, HON), 397 p.; 12. Arnaud Tonus (SUI, YAM), 355 p.; 13. Arminas Jasikonis (LTU, Suzuki World MXGP), 283 p.; 14. Kevin Strijbos (BEL, Suzuki World MXGP), 223 p. 



  Was this post helpful? Add yours to our service or subscribe to our feed above.