Steve Ramon scaled the podium for the first time this season with the runner-up position at Hezarfen, Istanbul for the first ever Grand Prix of Turkey and round three of the FIM MX1 World Championship.
The third race in three weeks for the Belgian team saw them help inaugurate the small but scenic venue nearly 30km from the centre of the historic city; the supposed gateway to the east.
Ramon collected his maiden trophy of the year with impressive charges on his RM-Z450 to second and third places through the two motos. Team-mate Ken De Dycker had a tougher time with the racing surface but still managed fourth overall.
The team worked diligently on bike set-up throughout a sunny Saturday: The track and newly-chiselled dirt offered sections that veered between a slippery rock-hard surface and softer, bumpier terrain. Overall it was a difficult prospect to master and the tight, inter-linking turns meant that overtaking often involved an aggressive move.
Sunday was bright but cloudy and marked by a chilly wind. 30,000 spectators made their first curious visit to the private airfield on the outskirts of the metropolis. Ramon embraced a set of two decent starts and also a proactive attitude in attacking the track and finding the most effective lines. He gave chase to Kevin Strijbos and successfully seized second place behind Antonio Cairoli in Moto1 and then remained on the fringes of a frantic battle for the lead in Moto2; just unable to pass David Philippaerts in the final moments for another second position.
De Dycker had more complicated issues with his suspension and the size of the blisters on his right hand and the ache in the back he injured prior to Italy were signs of how the rough track had taken its toll by the end of the day. The Belgian circulated largely on his own for fifth and fourth places in the sprints.
De Dycker's decent points haul means that he is second in the championship standings, just four away from Cairoli. Ramon has gained ground and is now sixth, 10 points from the top slot.
Teka Suzuki WMX1 will now head back to their base in Lommel and enjoy a free weekend before the short trip to Valkenswaard and the Netherlands for the Grand Prix of Benelux and round four of the 2009 calendar on April 26th.
Steve Ramon, 2nd:
"This was a good weekend for me, especially because the first two grands prix were not so positive. Tony was really good today and in the second moto I was running at the front thinking that if he or David made a mistake I would be able to get in the fight. Once he passed David then he could make a gap; it was difficult for me and I tried everything to overtake David also, but it was not possible. I didn't like the track at the beginning of the weekend because the dirt was difficult to ride on and it was hard to find a good line to pass, but by the end it was quite enjoyable and the Suzuki RM-Z450 worked well in the conditions."
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