This weekend signals the start of the second half of the season and all that brings in terms of excitement and anticipation. The facilities at Lommel are excellent, as it has been the epicentre of Motocross in Belgium for many years. It is currently one of only two remaining tracks in this environmentally sensitive country, although common sense is once again prevailing, and more licences will almost certainly be granted in the future.
It is also a fitting place for five-times world champion Etienne Bax to say goodbye to his many fans as he, along with his brother Robbie with whom he began his sporting journey, will race one final time before they draw the curtain down on two illustrious careers. Living locally, Bax will draw a large following of supporters. Just last weekend he used a Dutch championship round as practice taking two victories, proving he has lost nothing of his skills.
The Etienne Bax presence adds drama and intrigue to what is bound to be a nail-biting weekend. The Lielbardis brothers come here holding the red plate, and Bax will be eligible to steal points from anyone in the field. Whether he and Robbie are thirty-minute race fit is another matter. But, knowing them the way I do, I expect them to be there throughout.
Driving into the circuit this morning, I was reminded of the great names who have graced this sandy terrain going back to the first Motocross des Nations in 1981 and beyond. Sidecars became an integral part of the Lommel story with Grand Prix races coming here from 2017. Now it is the home of the sidecar motocross world championship in Belgium.
I am looking forward to mixing with the teams in the paddock and catching up with the news in the aftermath of an eventful Polish GP in Gdansk.
Tim Prummer was in place and focussed following his scare in Poland, where he mistakenly thought he had suffered serious damage to his right leg.
Koen Hermans must have been wondering what he needs to do after retiring from one Dutch championship race and finishing behind Bax in the other.
The Prunier brothers were celebrating the durability and speed of their trusty Zabel two-strokes, whilst some of the defectors to the four-stroke ranks are having problems.
Brett Wilkinson and Joe Millard enjoyed a comfortable double win in Scotland last weekend and arrive here in Lommel full of optimism, but aware of the job in hand in fifth place.
Meanwhile, the red plate sits firmly on the Lielbardis Mega, eighteen points ahead of defending champions Marvin Vanluchene and Glenn Janssens. Their task this weekend could not be clearer, and they are on home ground.
Our live stream and live timing will be up and running from tomorrow to send you all the qualifying and race action as it unfolds over two days, so check out the subscription deal for a weekend pass.
Meanwhile stay with us as we continue to bring you everything as it happens here on www.fimsidecarcross.com and all our social media platforms.
From Barry Nutley.
