Team Suzuki World MXGP’s Kevin Strijbos made an impressive MXGP return from injury yesterday with second position in the Qualification Heat for the Grand Prix in the Czech Republic.

Round 13 of 18 dropped into the Loket circuit and the hard-pack hill also provided changeable conditions for the world championship elite with brief rain showers making the slippery terrain even more tricky.

Strijbos, back on the Factory RM-Z450 after recovering from a left wrist problem, set the fifth fastest lap-time in Free Practice and was 10th in the Timed Session. The Belgian gunned a strong launch out of the start gate and was third on the opening lap behind eventual winner Tim Gajser and former team-mate Glenn Coldenhoff. Strijbos chased the Dutchman for half of the 20-minute and two-lap sprint until moving past and into his best qualification slot of the year.

Arminas Jasikonis made his debut on the RM-Z450 after being drafted into the team to replace Ben Townley (who was still present at Loket, but in an advisory and promotional capacity). The Lithuanian had a small issue with his goggles that hindered his Qualification run but went 22-15 and then 18th in the race in the 18-year-old’s opening day.