This year more than ever before, the Belgian MX Championships will be among the world’s finest. The Belgian MX Championships was run over eight meetings last year, but in order to meet the demands of the best riders it was brought back tot six for 2008.

This way the top riders can combine the United Telecom Trophy with the World Championships. The 2008 United Telecom Trophy goes under way on March 30th at Beervelde near Ghent. One week before the 2008 World MX Championships take off at Valkenswaard in Holland.

Traditionally the Belgian Nationals have a strong line-up of guest riders, but these following riders committed to riding the entire series:

Steve Ramon Suzuki Teka World MX1 BEL

Ken De Dijcker Suzuki Teka World MX1 BEL

Kevin Strijbos Kawasaki-GPKR BEL

Josh Coppins Yamaha Motocross Team NZL

David Philippaerts Yamaha Motocross Team ITA

Marvin Van Daele Teka-Suzuki BEL

Manuel Priem Kawasaki Racing Team BEL

Tanel Leok Kawasaki Racing Team EST

Danny Theybers MTM Racing-Suzuki BEL

Reigning Belgian champion Steve Ramon is upbeat about the strong rider line-up:

“The last few years we already had a strong Belgian Championship, but now the depth is just incredible! But hey, I won’t complain because this can only be good for MX in Belgium. It just adds more importance to the Belgian MX title. Whoever will take it, will have to ride very hard for it that’s for sure. It’s pretty cool for the Belgian fans too, since they will be able to watch some real good races close to home.”

If his new team mate Ken De Dijcker will kick off the Belgian MX season this weekend at Grobbendonk, ‘The bomb’ won’t be behind the starting gate in the season opener. Ramon rather stays in Italy to prepare for the World and Belgian MX Championships:

“The tests went well and physically I am certainly at the same level as this time last year. Although I didn’t have a whole lot of track time the right feeling is reappearing quickly. Last weekend I rode the first pre-season race in Manotova and I immediately felt good. But I should be snappier behind the gate. As a coincidence I was dicing it out with Coppins in each heat! We had a good scrap and I really enjoyed myself without going too deep. Now it’s a matter of intensive testing during the next few weeks before the more important races. One thing is sure, I want to be ready in Beervelde!” said the two times world champion.