Miro Sihvonen takes Valkenswaard by storm in EMX250

Two years after his EMX125 victory at Valkenswaard Miro Sihvonen claimed another overall win in the EMX250. The 18-year old Finn recorded a trifecta of moto wins, overall victory and the red plate in EMX250 standings. After two of the nine-round series the KTM Diga Junior Racing rider leads the European MX250 Championship with 90 points, he holds a 20-point advantage over Italy’s Morgan Lesiardo. Simone Furlotti and Nick Kouwenberg trail by 27 points.

The search for the successor of reigning EMX250 champion Thomas Kjer Olsen continued in Holland this weekend.In the week leading up to the GP of Europe Sihvonen had felt a bit under the weather but this obviously didn’t affect his performance on the track too much. Although Sihvonen entered the race as one of the favourites -especially after his strong podium in Trentino last weekend- he successfully maintained his composure on both race days.

The Valkenswaard Eurocircuit had been modified ahead of the event, creating a much faster course. Already on Saturday it was clear that Miro was the guy too beat in the stacked EMX250 class. Starting from around twelfth place he quickly started to pass riders one by one. After only 4 laps Sihvonen had worked his way up to 3rd. It only seemed a matter of time before he would take control of the race. With 4 laps to go Miro passed his Spanish rival Ruben Fernandez to claim his first ever EMX250 race win.

In spite of a slightly better start Sihvonen still had his work cut out on Sunday. Rounding the first corner in 10th former junior World champion runner-up went on to deliver the second part of his sand riding clinic. While Miro needed a little bit of time to get up to speed the end result was the same. With 10 minutes to go Sihvonen guided his KTM 250 SX-F past leader Jago Geerts never to look back. Miro thus ensured himself of his first ever EMX250 overall win and his second podium of the season.

Miro Sihvonen:“I’m really happy with this victory! To win here in the way I did and to the take the lead in the championship is great. Especially because Valkenswaard is a home race for the team. I didn’t go into in the weekend with the goal to the take the red plate but it sure feels nice to be leading both championships, EMX250 and ADAC Youngster Cup, that I focus on! After the ADAC race next weekend we go to Kegums which is also a track that I enjoy a lot.

Two times I didn’t have the best of starts in Valkenswaard but I was able to do my own race. I just knew this was going to be my weekend. In the second moto a second place would have been enough for the overall so I wasn’t even particularly pushing but I sensed there was on opportunity. Perhaps because Jago had been spending a lot of energy. It was also positive that my riding was good although I still didn’t feel in the best shape and still suffered a soar throat.”

Photo: Eric Laurijssen