With his podium result in the Finnish sand two rounds ago, Vlaanderen was understandably With his podium result in the Finnish sand two rounds ago, Vlaanderen was understandably excited for the Grand Prix in Lommel. The deep sand track is a physical test for all riders, and with the 29-year-old being one of the fittest MXGP riders on the start gate, the stage was set for a successful weekend of racing.

Vlaanderen began the GP with a third-place finish in the Qualifying Race, which ensured favourable, inside gate picks for the Grand Prix races. In Race One, he emerged from the first turn in sixth and set his sights on the leaders. The South African was soon into fifth and inherited fourth when Jeffrey Herlings fell. As the race neared its conclusion, Vlaanderen passed Isak Gifting for third, which set him up nicely for his overall podium result.

The Yamaha YZ450FM racer executed another great start in Race Two, although this time he was shuffled back to seventh early on. As the race continued, Vlaanderen moved forward and into fifth with five laps remaining, before a small fall cost him valuable time. Having opened a large gap behind him, he didn’t lose any positions and crossed the line in fifth to secure third overall. Following another successful weekend of racing, Vlaanderen remains fifth in the series standings.

“It was definitely a good weekend. Lommel is no joke. It’s brutal out there in the deep sand, lap after lap. This is where the men are separated from the boys. My first moto was really strong, too bad about that crash in the second moto. Luckily it didn’t cost me my spot on the podium. Back on the box. In front of my family and friends. Fantastic. I want to carry this momentum into the remaining GPs.”

— Calvin Vlaanderen

The MXGP World Championship resumes on August 16-17 at Uddevalla in Sweden, for round 16 of the season.