EMX 65 / EMX 85 European Championship:
the season gets underway
With the first race of the South East zone and Central Europe zone during the Easter weekend the EMX 65 / EMX 85 European Championship officially kicked off.
Pictures copyright: Toma Nedelea
The 2023 South East zone was up and run with the first race of the season kicking things off in the quaint town of Krinides, close to the tourist Kavala, in Greece. Lighting up round one in exciting style, the first seasonal race out of six saw 20 riders fought in harsh weather conditions, with cold, clouds and strong wind. More than 1500 spectators were present during the weekend to enjoy the races, which were held in a friendly atmosphere.
Aron Katona (KTM) of Hungary ruled the EMX85 class without big contest, managing to win in style every outing on the track. Second in both races was Sami Dumitru (KTM) from Romania, who managed to fend off Bulgarian Georgi Ginov (Husqvarna) in both races. Ginov finished third overall, followed by local rider George Koukaliotis (Yamaha) and Turkish rider Hasan Huseyin Bas.
In EMX65 the races were very disputed, with Romanian Daniel Marian (Gas Gas) winning both heats and scoring maximum points. Race 1 was red flagged due to an accident while some riders were penalized for jumping on the waved yellow flags, seeing top contenders Anna Kolnokoov and Efe Okur being relegated from their first and second positions. Second position for Bulgarian Nikolay Pavlov and third for Moldovan Ciorici Gheorghe. Race 2 saw Marian Daniel lead from start to finish, while Serbian Anna Kolnokoov and Turkish Efe Okur managed to score a second and a third, respectively.
The overall of the class was Marian Daniel first, Nikolay Pavlov in second and Anna Kolnokoov in third, while Greek Theodoros Strougkis was forth and Efe Okur fifth.
Next round of the South East zone will take place in Sevlievo (Bulgaria) on the 22nd-23rd April.
EMX85 top three
- Aron Katona, HUN
- Sami Alexandru Dumitru, ROM
- Georgi Ginov, BUL
EMX65 top three
- Daniel Marian, ROM
- Nikolay Pavlov, BUL
- Anna Kolnokoov, SER
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The opening round of the 2023 Central Europe zone saw almost 100 riders fight in the cloudy and cold Lommel, Belgium.
In EMX85 the first race wasn’t the easy victory that favorite home rider Jarne Bervoets (KTM) hoped for. Starting 3rd, he quickly took the lead, but was unable to build up a large lead. Dutch Dani Heitink (Husqvarna) put him under pressure the entire race, even if at the end he finished second ahead of countryman Dex Kooiker (Husqvarna).
In Race 2 Heitink turned the tables, ruling from the beginning to the end of the race. He was in front after the start and steadily extended his lead. Local hero Bervoets had to settle with the second position and Dutch Dean Gregoire (KTM) with the third.
On the overall podium: Dani Heitink first, Jarne Bervoets second and Dean Gregoire third.
In EMX65 British Harry Dale (KTM) took a double win ahead of Dutch rider Kenzo Jaspers (Gas Gas) in Race 1 and Belgian Torre Van Mechgelen (KTM) in Race 2. In the first heat great battle until the end for the second place with Dutch Teunis Spijkerman (Gas Gas).
The overall of the class saw Harry Dale first, Kenzo Jaspers second and Torre Van Mechgelen third.
Next round of the Central Europe zone will be next weekend in Slagelse, Denmark.
EMX85 top three
- Dani Heitink, NED
- Jarne Bervoets, BEL
- Dean Gregoire, NED
EMX65 top three
- Harry Dale, GBR
- Kenzo Jaspers, NED
- Torre Van Mechgelen, BEL
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