Steve Ramon takes first MX1 podium at Valkenswaard

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Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1 maintained their 100% presence on the podium in the FIM MX1 World Championship after Steve Ramon earned runner-up position overall at a sunny Valkenswaard for the Grand Prix of Netherlands and the third round of the series.

The 30-year-old Belgian took the works RM-Z450WS to third and second positions in two motos run across a rippled and technical sandy terrain and in front of 22,000 spectators who flocked to the venue close to the city of Eindhoven; and a short distance over the border from the team's HQ in Lommel.

While Ramon built his speed and attack through the lines of the Dutch course - even leading the second moto for a healthy distance - there was less positive news for Clement Desalle who fell in the section of jumps opposite the pit-lane during the first moto and briefly sustained a dislocated right shoulder. He will now go for medical checks to determine if there is any discernible damage to the joint and the extent of the recovery period.

Ramon hoisted the Rockstar Energy Drink can on the podium for his first visit to the 'box' since the Grand Prix of Brazil last year. The result also buried any bad memory of the accident that caused a neck fracture at this event in 2009.

In the World Championship standings, Ramon is now third and 19 points from second place. Desalle has dropped to sixth after his DNF and DNS but keeps a relatively-decent total thanks to his rostrum finishes in Bulgaria and Italy.

Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1 will make the short journey back to Belgium and after a break next weekend they will begin the journey south to Agueda for the Grand Prix of Portugal.

Steve Ramon:

"This is my first podium of the season and I knew my speed was good from the first two GPs. My starts were not good again today and it was hard to come from back in the depths of the top 10. I came up to second place in the first moto but it cost me a lot of energy and towards the end I got a little bit tired. I lost my concentration and Philippaerts passed me. In the second moto my riding was good again and I was having fun out there. I was leading for a while and when I saw Antonio crash I knew I had to go for it. Again, at the end, my arms felt the pace and I have to give credit to Antonio who was very good today."

Clement Desalle:

"I was not feeling so happy on the track and when the bike went sideways and I crashed I knew I had dislocated my shoulder. Luckily it was only out for 10 minutes and is not too painful. Tomorrow we will do some checks and I hope it will be OK to get back on the bike soon."

MX1 Moto1: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 40:47.473; 2. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:14.059; 3. Steve Ramon (BEL, Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1), +0:15.316; 4. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +0:16.411; 5. Tanel Leok (EST, Honda), +0:20.301. 33. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1), -14 lap(s).

MX1 Moto2: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 39:16.455; 2. Steve Ramon (BEL, Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1), +0:03.399; 3. Tanel Leok (EST, Honda), +0:05.667; 4. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), +0:08.087; 5. Evgeny Bobryshev (RUS, Honda), +0:09.800.

MX1 Overall Result: 1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 50 points; 2. Steve Ramon (BEL, Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1), 42 p.; 3. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 40 p.; 4. Tanel Leok (EST, Honda), 36 p.; 5. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 33 p.

MX1 World Championship standings (after 3 of 15 rounds):1. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, KTM), 138 points; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), 120 p.; 3. Steve Ramon (BEL, Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1), 101 p.; 4. David Philippaerts (ITA, Yamaha), 100 p.; 5. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Yamaha), 94 p.; 6. Clement Desalle (BEL, Rockstar Teka Suzuki World MX1), 79 p.; 7. Xavier Boog (FRA, Kawasaki), 70 p.; 8. Tanel Leok (EST, Honda), 66 p.; 9. Jonathan Barragan (ESP, Kawasaki), 56 p.; 10. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Honda), 56 p.