This weekend's Czech Republic Grand Prix in Loket marks the last event before an exciting three races in three weeks - starting in Dublin (Ireland) and ending in Faenza (Italy) after visiting Lierop (The Netherlands) – concludes the 2008 MX1 and MX2 season.
Reigning MX1 world champion Steve Ramon will start this weekend's event just two points clear of long time title leader David Philippaerts, who suffered in the deep Lommel sand last time out, but should be strong on the hand packed Loket terrain.
Third in the championship Josh Coppins saw his 2007 title hopes end with injury at Loket one year ago, the effects of which drained his 107 point lead. The Kiwi will be looking to make amends in 2008 while KTM factory riders Max Nagl and Jonathan Barragan will be looking to continue their excellent form - the latter having won the latest three GPs, with Nagl on the podium at each of those events.
Barragan is fifth in the standings behind Ramon's Teka Suzuki WMX1’s Ken de Dycker, who was second overall at Lommel, as Nagl is seventh behind GPKR’s Sebastien Pourcel.
After his latest pole in
Mallory Park and his latest podium appearance in France Pourcel seems to have had a difficult time but will find further support in his team mate Kevin Strijbos’ comeback this weekend at Loket. The Belgian has not raced a GP since his hand injury at Bellpuig’s, but won both motos last year in Loket, the venue of his maiden GP win (2005, MX1, Suzuki).
Meanwhile, Martin Honda’s Marc de Reuver lost the overall win in Lommel due to a final moto crash and he will be looking for better fortunes in Czech Republic.
In the MX2 class Tyla Rattray still leads with a 20 point cushion from KTM team-team team-mate Tommy Searle.
