BLOGS - KEVIN STRIJBOS BLOG

Team Suzuki Press Office - August 6.

Kevin Strijbos will deputise for Steve Ramon in the Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 squad, starting this weekend in the Czech Republic following the former World Champion's injury last weekend. And he's looking forward to re-joining the Sylvain Geboers-run factory team.


Steve's crash was very unfortunate but for me it meant that I had a call from the factory team on Monday and I was in a position to be able to ride the RM-Z450 for the last four Grands Prix. I said 'yes, of course!' because it is a great opportunity for me and I have not had a good time in the last few years with injuries and other problems. I was really happy that they picked me and then when the approval from Japan came through, I was able to go out testing on Tuesday.

Everything went well. I took Steve's bike out with the basic settings and made a couple of little changes to the suspension and the position of the bars and the seat but that was it. I could only ride once because on Wednesday I went to make a blood test. I had been feeling a bit weak in the previous races and it turned out that I had a virus that is now clearing up.

I want to prove I can still do it because I have been quick in some races this year but it has been a difficult season and I had a phase of races where I was really tired and just wanted to sleep all day.

It is nice to be back in the team here at Loket where I took the first win on the RM-Z450; I have some really nice memories from that day six years ago. I then have races in the UK, Germany and Italy left. I don't know Matterley Basin because I was injured for the GP that was there in 2006. Gaildorf I know well; even from the days when I was racing an 85cc bike; and then Fermo will also be a new place for me after I missed the race in 2010. I don't think the tracks will be too tricky; it depends on how you feel on the bike.

I'm happy at the moment and I want to say a big 'thank you' to the team with some results. I know it is unlikely I will make the top three but I don't think the team have this expectation of me; they just want me to get the bike out there and get in the middle of the action. For sure I want to get in the top 10 and any results like seventh or eighth would be OK.

Like I said, going to the workshop this week was like going 'home' after the four years I spent racing for the team. I still know them all well and I'm working with Steve's mechanic Bo and getting to know him. It felt a bit strange walking into the awning this morning for practice because it felt like such a long time ago since I was last there but it is also the first GP this year that I have come to totally relaxed and it feels like everything has fallen into place.