Tommy Searle takes overall in MX2, and David Philippaerts takes MX1 overall and reclaims points lead!
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Loket, Czech Republic
Friday, August 8: We could see it. We could see it from about 10 miles away.
But back up a bit ... we'd never been to a former Communist country, and were a bit apprehensive about entering into The Czech Republic. What would it be like? Would it be like crossing into a different era? Would the roads and infrastructure and buildings be old and run down??
As we anxiously wound our way thru country rounds in the eastern part of Germany, we noticed the sign 'Czech Republic'. We were surprised - there was no border stopping, no guards, just continuing on the same road, with the beautiful country-side as our companion. Driving thru, we noticed quaint small towns, all surrounding by green grass and lots and lots of trees. The roads and infrastructure and buildings remained just as they were in Germany. As up-to-date and modern as any other.
But, we could see it. We could see the track glistening, way up on a hillside, with the colorful banners and flags that accompany MXGP, as the small rain shower gave way to beautiful evening light. We hadn't quite made it to the town of Loket yet, which is host to the Czech Grand Prix, but we could see the track. It was incredible, even from 10 miles away.
Saturday, August 9: The track is called 'The Serpentine'. And it makes total sense, because the track serpentines up and down and all over the hills above the town of Loket. It's 'old school' and beautiful.
As the season heads into this 12th of 15 rounds, the MX2 class is between Tyla Rattray and Tommy Searle. In MX1, it's a battle between defending MX1 World Motocross Champion and current series points leader Steve Ramon, David Phiippaerts, and Josh Coppins.
Sunday, August 10: It's the GP of Ceske Republiky!
In the MX2 class, it was once again a battle between Red Bull KTM team-mates Tommy Searle and Tyla Rattray. They split motos wins and second places, but the overall goes to Searle on his better second moto performance. Rattray leads by 20 points in the MX2 championship standings though, 499 to 479. Third overall went to Anthony Boissiere.
In MX1 - David Philippaerts was by far the strongest rider, and takes the overall, and, regains the championship point standings in MX1 over Steve Ramon, 405 to 398. The first moto was won by Max Nagl, with KTM team-mate Jon Barragan second, and Philippaerts third. But Philippaerts put in his strongest ride of the season - he came from way back in the pack, and passed his two main contenders in the championship, Ramon and Josh Coppins. It was a very impressive, and very hard charge by Philippaerts. It could turn out to have been the turning point in the season if he wins the championship by a small margin. In the second moto, it was all Philippaerts - winning easily without having to pass riders to get to the front. Second overall goes to Seb Pourcel on the Kawasaki, and Jon Barragan continued his run of podiums, finishing third overall.
You'll need the latest version of QuickTime to watch these movies (Courtesy Youthstream). You can get it here at this link for free for Mac or PC - http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Photos: 450 MX1 podium, Amanda in her upgraded rental car, Nic Aubin 131, Jon Barragan 7 (twice), Tommy Searle 2, the Loket Castle, Josh Coppins 6, the Loket crowd (twice), David Philippaerts 19, Seb Pourcel 90, the 250 MX2 podium, Rui Goncalves 10, Steve Ramon 11, Jon Barragan 7, Amanda interview a future star, Bill Mackenzie roosting, Max Nagl 12, David Philippaerts 19, David Philippaerts bike in his pit, Philippaerts coming by the pit lane part of the track, the center of the village, Seb Pourcel 90 (twice), Steve Ramon 11, Tyla Rattray 4 roosting thru a corner, Tyla Rattray 4 (three more times), the crowd, Tommy Searle 2, a sign in the village of Loket, Stephen Sword coming down a downhill double, Max Nagl over a table top at the scenic Loket track, third place in the MX2 class Anthony Boissiere, and village and castle of Loket from the race track.
To read Amanda's blog on how she got to the Czech Republic, you can visit this link
