Valentin Guillod wins E‐MX Race of Champions!

Historic second E-MX Race of Champions
More than thousand spectators witnessed the second edition of the E-MX Race of Champions, yesterday at Circuit Zolder in Belgium. Admittedly the most prestigious race for electric motocross bikes in the world, the E-MX Race of Champions attracted 14 super fast riders from motocross legend Stefan Everts to FMX icon Gilles Dejong and MX2 star Jordi Tixier. Switzerland’s Valentin Guillod (Standing Construct KTM) won ahead of Frenchman Tixier (Red Bull KTM) and ‘Flying Dutchman’ Daan Bruijsten (Ee-Xparc). Both national and international media covered the event.
After free practice reigning E-MX champ Stefan Everts signed the fastest time in qualifying practice. Hardly any surprise, since Everts has 10 world titles under his belt and quickly adapts to any kind of track condition and any kind of bike. It was the enigmatic “E-MX Stig” who shocked all in attendance. Dressed in an immaculate white kit the “E-MX Stig” blew everybody away with an impressive second time, ahead of professional freestyle ace Gilles Dejong, Guillod, Tixer and Graulus.

With semi-final winners Tixier and Guillod going head-to-head in the final to meet the directly seeded riders Everts and the “E-MX Stig”. Throw in  Ee-Xparc’s Daan Bruysten, Dejong, Graulus and Triest the crowd was in for a big one! Accompanied by the pumping beats of the Red Bull DJ the stage was set for a 4 lap all-or-nothing final. European MX2 champ Guillod claimed the holeshot followed by Bruijsten and Tixier. Everts unfortunately fell victim to an early crash and was relegated to 7th. While the alternative shortcut, the so-called Joker lane, added spice and suspense to the race the battle for second place kept everyone on their toes. Tixier passed Bruijsten but the young Dutchman put his experience of electric MX bikes to great use. Daan felt the heat from the “E-MX Stig” and Dejong but kept his head cool. Although Tixier smashed the lap record on the ultimate lap it was not enough to pass Guillod. Standing Construct’s talented youngster beat the factory KTM rider by a narrow 1,5 second margin! Bruijsten took third, while the “E-MX Stig” and Gilles “Baton” Dejong completed the top five.

Belgium’s top BMX riders rode their own final. Among them one rapid girl, 16-year old WMX rider Stephanie Stoutjesdijk. Stoutjesdijk grabbed the holeshot but had to settle for fourth. Former Husaberg factory rider and national BMX coach Chris Jacobs won the affair, Björn Wijnants came second, Brecht Put was third.  

Complete results here: http://www.mylaps.com/en/events/1009621
E-MX Race of Champions final:
1.  Valentin Guillod (CH) 2.  Jordi Tixier (FR) 3.  Daan Bruijsten (NL) 4.  Rob Van Uden (NL) alias The Stig  5.  Gilles DeJong (B) 6.  Stefan Everts (B) 7.  Damon Graulus (B) 8.  Nick Triest (B)

Showtime… and a world first 

The “E-MX Race of Champions” race format itself guarantees close and spectacular racing: four fast, explosive laps, two semi-finals and a final. Apart from the racing there was plenty of entertainment provided by FMX4ever’s Jimmy Verburgh and his team mate Gilles Dejong. With their freestyle figures “Jimbo” and Gilles showed just how versatile these electric motocross bikes are. Dejong added another world class feat to his tally by flipping his KTM Freeride E! Needless to say that the crowd went nuts.

Organizer, Stefan Peetermans was very satisfied with the outcome: "We have succeeded in building bridges between motocross and fun sports like BMX and Four-cross. For MX riders and hardcore fans it takes a little while to get used to racing without the typical sounds. I’m however convinced that racing with electric bikes is every bit as exciting for riders and spectators. We’re already looking forward to make the 3rd edition of the E-MX Race of Champions  even better and bigger!”

Photos of the 2nd E -MX Race of Champions are available for download in hi-res below. These may only be used for editorial purposes, please mention the credit ‘CDS’