Ramon 4th On Bulgarian MX1 Gate

Qualification for the Grand Prix of Bulgaria - the fourth round of the FIM MX1 Motocross World Championship - saw Team Teka Suzuki WMX1 rider Steve Ramon finish in fourth position on his factory RM-Z450 with team-mate Ken De Dycker ending the session in 11th.

The jump-filled, hillside Sevlievo circuit was in prime condition as good weather and brief showers kept the loamy soil surface in excellent condition for the official timed practice session.

Reigning World Champion Ramon - who currently holds second in the MX1 series standings six points behind current leader David Philippaerts - held pole briefly until Frenchman Sebastien Pourcel took over. Slipping as low as seventh for a while Ramon retaliated with a fast lap in the dying moments of the session to place his Suzuki in fourth.

"I was fastest for a while and them some other guys came past me and I found it difficult to put in another fast lap as every time I tried to go faster a slower rider on a sighting lap would get in my way and slow me down," said Ramon. "I managed to go faster again though and ended up in fourth place which I'm quite happy with.

"I feel good on the bike and my riding is going well, the bike is performing perfectly and the track is good - there's a lot of grip and it's possible to use a lot of lines. The start will be important in tomorrow's races as usual but I'm feeling fit and strong and I hope to win or be on the podium at least."

De Dycker - who led the MX1 World Championship before the last round in Portugal - qualified in 11th position, 2.201 seconds behind the pole setter. Although De Dycker qualified outside the top-10 for the first time this year, he still feels confident of placing on the podium in tomorrow's points' paying races.

"Hard-pack tracks certainly aren't my favourite because I'm not so used to them but I'm still able to ride fast on them," said De Dycker. "The surface here is getting ruttier and rougher all the time which will suit me more so tomorrow I need to get two good starts and then stay on the pace with the leaders. I want to be back on the podium and I have to prove to myself and also everyone else that I can do it again so my goal is to finish in the top three or top five at least."

The weather forecast for tomorrow's races is for sun with patchy cloud and the possibility of some showers. The ambient air temperature should be in the region of 22 degrees Celsius.

MX1 Timed Practice: 1 Sebastien Pourcel (Kawasaki - France) 1:46:767, 2 Max Nagl (KTM - GER) 1:47:612, 3 Jonathan Barragan (KTM - ESP) 1:47:859, 4 Steve Ramon (Suzuki - BEL) 1:48:214, 5 Billy MacKenzie (Honda - GBR) 1:48:243, 6 Josh Coppins (Yamaha - NZL) 1:48:263, 7 Clement Desalle (Suzuki - BEL) 1:48:365, 8 David Philippaerts (Yamaha - ITA) 1:48:527, 9 Tanel Leok (Kawasaki - EST) 1:48:711, 10 Marc De Reuver (Honda - NED) 1:48:928, 11 Ken De Dycker (Suzuki - BEL) 1:48:968.