Some of the biggest names in world motocross are preparing to lock horns at Mill in Holland this weekend when the Red Bull Pro Nationals go international for the first time.
No fewer than six GP winners will line up at the former world championship track with Russian factory Honda star Evgeny Bobryshev the latest rider to agree terms to roll up to the startgate on August 11-12 where he will be joined by riders of the calibre of factory Red Bull KTM rider Max Nagl, HM Plant KTM UK’s Kevin Strijbos, dashing Dutchman Marc de Reuver, Frenchman Nicolas Aubin and Baltic bullet Gert Krestinov.
After weeks of feverish behind-the-scenes activity Matt Bates, Managing Director of series promoters Events 22, is close to finalising the entry for what promises to be one of this summer’s biggest European events.
“It’s been flat-out,” says Matt. “I’ve always said that Red Bull Pro Nationals are a sum of their parts – not just about one or two big names – and I still stand by that. But it’s great we’ve got some of the biggest stars of the sport turning out at Mill this weekend. I’m stoked!”
German hero Nagl, who’s been sidelined for most of the season with an ongoing back injury, burst back into action at last weekend’s Czech GP with third in the opening moto backed up with a fourth in race two to prove the lay-off hasn’t blunted his raw speed. And British-based Belgian Strijbos has visited the world championship podium three times this season – including a race win in Latvia – to demonstrate he’s getting back to the form that carried him to two FIM silver medals.
The MX1 and MX2 classes race together – but are scored separately – over two 25-minute plus two lap motos which means even the fastest 250F pilots face the prospect of eating race-long roost from the leading 450s although, as has been seen time and time again in the UK, the top MX2 riders are capable of mixing it at the sharp end of the field.
Nestaan KTM’s Glen Coldenhoff in another fresh signing and will line-up in the MX2 class against some of Europe’s fastest young pilots as well as a travelling army of British riders lead by Elliot Banks-Browne, Neville Bradshaw, Nathan Watson and Jordan Booker.
Here’s the full pro entry list:
|
4 |
Micha Boy De Wall |
Netherlands |
Beursfoon Suzuki NL |
|
8 |
Tim Munchhofen |
Germany |
Team Waldmann Honda |
|
11 |
William Saris |
Netherlands |
Laar Racing Auto Dream Bakel |
|
12 |
Max Nagl |
Germany |
KTM Red Bull Factory Racing Team |
|
17 |
Jason Dougan |
UK |
Route 77 MVR-D Honda |
|
22 |
Kevin Strijbos |
Belgium |
HM Plant KTM |
|
23 |
Stijn Berstrpen |
Belgium |
MX Verstrpen |
|
25 |
Glen Coldenhoff |
Netherlands |
Nestaan KTM |
|
32 |
Manuel Priem |
Belgium |
Leon Sagaert Yamaha |
|
36 |
Matthew Moffat |
UK |
Motoshack Drysdale KTM |
|
37 |
Gert Krestinov |
Estonia |
Route 77 MVR-D Honda |
|
38 |
Karl Timmerman |
Netherlands |
Hofstede MX Team |
|
44 |
Elliott Banks-Browne |
UK |
HM Plant KTM |
|
45 |
Jordy Lommen |
Netherlands |
Gebben Motoren Yamaha |
|
55 |
Mike Kras |
Netherlands |
Beursfoon Suzuki NL |
|
56 |
Ceriel Kleincromhof |
Netherlands |
Kleincromhof Houtvezels Honda |
|
66 |
Lewis Toombs |
UK |
Honda |
|
70 |
Ronnie Van Rooij |
Netherlands |
Rabbit Racing Kawasaki |
|
77 |
Shannon Terreblanche |
South Africa |
KTM Dream Team |
|
94 |
Dave Versluis |
Netherlands |
Monster Army Kawasaki |
|
95 |
August Just |
Latvia |
Honda |
|
99 |
Nathan Watson |
UK |
Red Bull Honda |
|
107 |
Lars Van Berkel |
Netherlands |
Jumbo Honda |
|
111 |
Jeffery Dewulf |
Belgium |
Bakens Yamaha |
|
111 |
Ray Rowson |
UK |
LPE Kawasaki |
|
114 |
Jordan Booker |
UK |
Buildbase Honda |
|
124 |
Jarno Derks |
Netherlands |
Derks MX Yamaha |
|
129 |
Luca Nijenhuis |
Netherlands |
Gebben Motoren Yamaha |
|
131 |
Nicolas Aubin |
France |
Buildbase Honda |
|
194 |
Robin Bakens |
Belgium |
TM Belgium |
|
195 |
Robert Just |
Latvia |
Honda |
|
212 |
Marc de Reuver |
Netherlands |
Ice1 Racing Kawasaki |
|
271 |
Tom Kelly |
UK |
Malin Honda |
|
387 |
Yentel Martens |
Belgium |
Betemo Kawasaki |
|
711 |
James Cottrell |
UK |
DB Racing Honda |
|
777 |
Evgeny Bobryshev |
Russian |
Honda Factory Racing |
