Teka Suzuki WMX1 approach the third round of the 2009 FIM MX1 World Championship this weekend as leaders thanks to the two podium results gathered by Ken De Dycker and the RM-Z450 in the last fortnight at Faenza and Sevlievo. The 24 year old was second in Italy and third on Sunday in Bulgaria and travels to Istanbul, Turkey for the first time in the history of the series with a one point advantage over Josh Coppins.
“No-one knows what we might find; it could be hard-pack or sandy and we also don’t know how it will change over the weekend,” said De Dycker, who took his first chequered flag of the season in Moto1 at Sevlievo. “It feels good to have the red-plate but there is still a very long way to go and also the riders are still very close in the points. The first moto in Bulgaria felt pretty easy but the second race was harder and without a good start it was tough to get with the leaders. I hope I can have more races like the first one in Bulgaria.”
The new circuit, constructed within the airfield confines of Hezarfen - around 40kms outside of the capital city - will be the first of two unseen venues on the 2009 calendar; the other being the Grand Prix of Latvia at Kegums in June. With Steve Ramon’s skill in rapidly finding the quickest and best lines, the 29 year old should be one of the main protagonists come the first sessions on Saturday. The Belgian was eighth in Bulgaria after struggling to set an effective speed across the hard-pack on race-day.
“Things did not go well on Sunday and I could not find a rhythm but I was fast through practice and qualification and will take the positive parts of the weekend,” said the former World Champion. “I have been racing in the world championship for quite a few years now so to go to a new track and new country is always interesting. It will be a discovery for everyone.”
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