Strijbos confirms Suzuki link at Lommel

Geboers Racing Promotions has confirmed the services of Kevin Strijbos for the next two years as Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MXGP prepare for its home MXGP of Belgium this weekend in the sand of Lommel. 

The 14th round of 18 in the 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship will take place at the demanding circuit a few kilometres from the team’s workshop and from where Strijbos and the factory crew will attempt the 2016 and 2017 MXGP series together. 

Strijbos has enjoyed the best years of his career racing for Suzuki. The association began in 2002 with an RM125, progressed to an RM250 in 2003 and then on four-stroke RM-Z technology from 2004-2007 where he posted the factory’s first 450cc Grand Prix victory and finished as runner-up twice in the premier class of the world championship. Strijbos returned to the team in 2013 and was third in MXGP in 2014 as well as winning a moto at the Motocross of Nations. Now 29 years old, the Belgian is arguably at the peak of his fitness and experience and posted three podium results since his return from wrist and thumb injury earlier this season. 

“In the end it was not a hard decision to stay with the team and a group of people that I have grown up with,” ‘#22’ said. “The guys all work so well and so hard and know me and what I need. The bike is so competitive and I’ve been able to make it mine in the last couple of seasons. I’m settled and I’m happy. I’m looking forward to doing the best I can in the next two years.” 

With his future confirmed Strijbos can look ahead to his home event this weekend at Lommel and the swallowing sand saw the veteran take fifth position in 2014. “It is strange but every time we go to Lommel I struggle to get a good feeling there,” he admitted. “It is a hard GP for me even if I am a good sand rider! Lommel is something special. We’ve done some tests over there and I want to have good starts and not push too much in the beginning like I did last year. It would be great if I can be on the podium in Belgium.”