Hey everybody,

My weekend at the GP of Valkenswaard went really well!

Straight after the GP of Mantova two weeks ago, my team and I went to our workshop in Belgium. There, I could train in the sand and had the past two week to prepare myself for the GP of Valkenswaard. The Valkenswaard circuit has heavy sand. Last week I was able to train on sand tracks like Lommel and Olmen.

Monday before Valkenswaard I had a cool photo shoot with photographer Gary Freeman, I can’t tell you to much about it ... but they showed me the results on Friday at the GP, and the results look awesome!! But I’m sure I’ll see the picture in a magazine soon! Maybe you too? : )

Friday night we went karting with a group of friends in Valkenswaard. We had a lot of fun, and if I belive my kart results, it certainly looked like it was gonna' be a successful weekend for me, cause I had the fastest time of all. : )

Saturday: I always like to ride in Valkenswaard. I like the track, the weather was great this weekend, and already on Saturday there was a amazing amount of spectators!

My training went really well. I felt good on the track and my bike. In the Qualification Heat I took the holeshot and led until the last lap - it was my first Qualification win of this season! (With a big gap over second place too.)

Sunday: In the first moto I took the holeshot just like I did on Saturday. I made a nice a gap on the second guy and rode my laps until the finish. It wasn’t such an easy heat as it looked or I'm describing here, 'cause it was hard to stay focused all the time, and not make mistakes. It was hard for the mind, but not for my body 'cause after 25 min and two laps I wasn’t tired at all.

In the second moto I had top three start. I was behind David Philippaerts, and he made a small mistake and slid a bit sideways, and because I was so close to him, I hit his back wheel and crashed.

I was pushing hard to get back in the top three. I was able to pass David and Tanel Leok on the rhythm section in front of the pitlane. Steve Ramon was leading and had a pretty big gap. I was pushing hard to close the gap on Steve, I made a mistake and lost a few seconds of time. After that mistake I was standing with my bike, with my back wheel in the green defense lining. I knew immediately that I had to stay focused. I knew I didn't need to hurry 'cause I didn’t want to take the risk to have the green track lining in my back wheel. : )

After my mistake, I pushed hard again and was able to close the gap on Steve for the second time. I passed him, and was able to win the second heat as well!

Of course, I was happy after my moto win in race one, but I like more a race like I had in the second moto. I had to fight for every place, and it was exiting for the fans!

Grazie!

Ciao!

Tony
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p.s. See you in Portugal in two weeks!