In the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing category, it was David Braceras of RFME GasGas MX Junior Team, who took the top step of the podium for the very first time this season and he did so with a second and a race win. For Braceras, this was his fifth podium of the year, and his second race victory, which also helped him keep the championship chase alive, as the Spaniard whittled down on the lead of Fantic Racing’s Andrea Bonacorsi who now heads into the final round on Saturday with a 38-point advantage.

In the first race, the Spaniard had to work hard to fend off the championship leader, for quite some time, and would eventually drop a position after eight laps, as Bonacorsi carried out with his charge for the win.

Bonacorsi finished second overall today, after a confident race win in the opening race, which saw him get a good start and work his way around Braceras for the victory. The Italian then struggled in the second heat with the start and finding his flow and would finish down in fifth. Despite that, it was his fifth podium of the year and he now has one hand on the EMX125 Presented by FMF Racing title, as we head into the final round of the championship in four-day time.

Today’s podium saw a new face in the mix, as Haakon Osterhagen of Creymert Racing celebrated his first top three of the season. The Norwegian started well in the opening race, though eventually dropped to eight after a brief moment off track. The KTM rider was able to make up for it in the season heat though, where he really showed his skills in the sand to finish the race in second place.

There’s now just one round remaining, and the door for the championship is still open, as Braceras has a shot of going after the title. Third in the championship is Meico Vettik, who has two podium finishes under his belt. Though he cannot afford to relax as Pietro Razzini is just a further eight points adrift and could get himself a medal this season. He showed his strength today as he challenged for the win in the opening race, which he finished fourth. So in terms of the championship nothing is concrete and the next few races will be interesting.

David Braceras: “I still cannot believe it, I really worked hard with my team and the dream came true. The day started really good, I was fourth in the time practice and in the first race I took the holeshot. I was able to lead almost all the race when five minutes to the end Andrea did catch me and passed me and I finish second. In the second race I started second and I pushed really hard. I’m really happy to take the overall here in Lommel and I’m feeling really good for Saturday, but I don’t think about the Championship right now and I’m only focused on the races, we’ll see what will happen on Saturday”.

Andrea Bonacorsi: “I started quite good, for sure better than last Saturday…in the time Practice I was sixth and in the first race started third and I was riding confident, I was able to pass the two riders in front of me and go for the victory. In the second race I started around tenth place, but I wasn’t riding really good, so I tried to do my best and got the fifth place. I’m quite happy about the result of being second overall and we’ll see what will happen in the last race on Saturday. I’m ready for Saturday, I don’t want think too much about the Championship and I want to be super focused for the race and ride good and get a good result”.

Haakon Osterhagen: “I’m feeling really strong in the sand, I train all the winter for that but unfortunately the season hasn’t been like I was expecting, and I struggled a lot. In the first race I started second and after somebody push me out of the track so I had to push really hard to re-group and get an eight that was the maximum I could do. In the second race I started really good and I took the holeshot and I was leading from some laps as well; after though Braceras passed me and I tried to follow him. I had some issues but luckily, I was able to be 2nd and get the third overall. I’m feeling really good and I’m feeling really strong in the sand. I’m looking forward to the next round”.