Young Belgian Joel Roelants was crowned 2006 Junior MX2 World Champion after taking overall victory in the prestigious two-day event in Vantaa, Finland.
The event is open to under 18s and was attended by 20 different nationalities. Last year, Roelants didn't even make the top 20 - but, in a sign of what was to come, KTM JMRacing team manager Jacky Martens had to slow Joel down in the recent Namur round of the (adult) MX2 championship in order not to score regular world championship points, which would have meant exclusion from the Junior event.
It proved a wise decision, since Roelants went on to take the Junior crown ahead of Estonian Gert Krestinov and Frenchman Marvin Musquin.
"In Saturday's time practice I set the best time with a 2.5 second gap to Jose Butron and I was feeling strong," said Joel. "My KTM was perfectly dialled-in to the track-layout, which had lots of cool jumps and sand. In the first race my start wasn't too good and I cornered in seventh position, but from then on it took about 5 laps to work my way into the lead position and I stayed out of trouble to win with a 21 second margin over Musqiun and Deny Philippaerts. A perfect result although I was really nervous. In the second race I crashed at the start and later on I crashed again and was dead last. Still I managed to recover to fourth position, 10cm short of Steven Clarke at the finish line who finished third."
"All of JMRacing are thrilled with the fantastic achievement of our youngster!" beamed Martens. "Joel was riding strong and displayed a superior physical condition which kept him going especially through the second race, which he started a bit to eager. I am happy to see the progress he has been making, resulting in this world championship at the age of 17 - and Joel is still learning and growing."
Results - Junior MX2 World Championship:1. Joel Roelants (B) KTM
2. Gert Krestinov (EST) KTM
3. Marvin Musquin (FRA) Kawasaki
4. Gianluca Martini (ITA) KTM
5. Steven Clarke (GBR) Honda
6. Rinus Van De Ven (NED) KTM
7. Jose Butron (ESP) KTM
8. Ceriel KleinKromhof (NED) Honda
9. Deny Philippaerts (ITA) Yamaha
10. Herjan Brakke (NED) Honda
