SUZUKI SET FOR BELGIAN MX OPENER

Team Suzuki head to Beervelde this weekend for the opening round of the 2008 Belgian motocross championship - the United Telecom Trophy.

Following a very productive pre-season testing and training programme, the team and its riders - reigning MX1 World and Belgian champion Steve Ramon (pictured) and new rider Ken De Dycker - start the series as one of the favourites to win the United Telecom Trophy title with their all-new electronically fuel-injected RM-Z450s.

"I'm already a three-time Belgian champion and of course I want to defend my title," says Ramon. "It's not going to be easy as there are a lot of good riders coming. Not only is that good for the sport in Belgium it's great for the spectators - there's going to be some great racing this year."

De Dycker rolls into round one of the Belgian championship just one week after winning the overall at the pre-season international event at Wuustwezel in his debut season with Suzuki riding the factory RM-Z450. Frighteningly fast in the pre-season races he's entered so far, De Dycker is excited to be doing a full season on home soil for the first time in a long time.

"It's almost five years since I've raced the full Belgian championship and for me it's very important to do well," he explains. "It's great to be home again and after winning national titles in other countries I'm now ready to win this one."

By: Suzuki PR