Seven Estonians to Start in First Stage of Motocross GP
Seven Estonians will be at the starting line this weekend for the opening stage of the Grand Prix Motocross World Championship at a sand track in Valkenswaard, Holland.
Two Estonians are riding in the MX1 class. The first, Tanel Leok, who placed 12th overall last year, had a rough off-season due to a leg injury in February when he fell during training in Lommel. After recovering from that injury, a rock flew into Leok's hand, which is still infected, in Valence. He has missed several pre-season races. Leok is riding for the Rockstar Energy Suzuki team.
The second Estonian in the MX1 class is Gert Krestinov, whose training has gone more smoothly, having secured second place at the first stage of the British motocross championship. Krestinov is riding Honda for Route77Energy. He will not race in all of this year's stages.
In the MX2 class, Priit Rätsep took fifth overall in last year's European championship. He is riding with Belgium's KTM Diga Racing team.
In the MX3, there are four Estonians. Juss Laansoo and Heido Havam are riding for AKR KTM Racing. Laansoo's season last year ended with an crash, but the rider has since recovered from injuries. He has trained with Havam in the US and Belgium in preparation for the championship.
The Estonian champion in the MX1 class, Indrek Mägi, is riding a Kawasaki bike in the MX3 class. And the fourth rider in the MX3 series, Ardo Kaurit, is riding for the Yamaha Estonia Racing Team.
Lauri Lehtla, sponsored by RedMoto Honda Racing, will not race in at least the first two MX3 stages, due to a knee injury from a fall in Belgium last week.
Ott Tammik