GP of Belgium: World Championship MX 3

Click the following link for a 36-photo gallery of FIM World Championship motocross race action from Lommel, Belgium. You can also click the following link for a 35-photo gallery from Saturday's pre-race action in the pits, as well as timed qualifying. Don't forget, if you're a Vital MX member, you can comment on any of the photos in the gallery. Not a member? Join now! It's fast and free.

When we last checked in on the GP scene at the first round at Valkenwaard, the ’08 campaign was just getting started, and Antonio Cairoli and Steve Ramon were just beginning the defense of their World titles. Mike Brown was still holding it down for the U.S., riding for CAS Honda, and Tyla Rattray was returning to action after missing much of ’07 with a knee injury.

It’s amazing how much things can change up in a few months. Now Mike’s back home in the U.S., riding for Boost Mobile Yamaha of Troy (again), and Zach Osborne (who was riding here in the U.S. for YOT) is now racing in Europe. Steve Boniface (who started the season on a privateer Honda here in the U.S.) has now replaced Mike over at CAS. Antonio Cairoli has dropped out of the series due to a knee injury of his own, and Tyla Rattray has had a stellar return, leading the MX2 points.

The good news is, one of our Dutch friends, Jeffrey Beerdsen, checked in at the GP of Belgium in Lommel last weekend to update us on some of the most recent action. While the sand track at Valkenswaard was rough when we visited there, Lommel makes it look smooth by comparison.

Check out links to the the two photo galleries above, both for Pit Bits photos, and for the racing action. Here are the current point standings.

MX1
1. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), 362 points

2. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 360 p.

3. Joshua Coppins (NZL, Yamaha), 345 p.

4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Suzuki), 336 p.

5. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, KTM), 331 p.

6. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 306 p.

7. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 290 p.

8. Billy Mackenzie (GBR, Honda), 257 p.

9. Tanel Leok (EST, Kawasaki), 245 p.

10. Marc de Reuver (NED, Honda), 214 p.

MX2
1. Tyla Rattray (RSA, KTM), 452 points

2. Tommy Searle (GBR, KTM), 432 p.

3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), 357 p.

4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), 312 p.

5. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), 279 p.

6. Nicolas Aubin (FRA, Yamaha), 274 p.

7. Jeremy van Horebeek (BEL, KTM), 232 p.

8. Xavier Boog (FRA, Suzuki), 224 p.

9. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), 215 p.

10. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), 203 p.