Östlund gives Yamaha two-stroke brigade successful send-off

[totalmotorcycle]

#Östlund gives @Yamaha two-stroke brigade successful send-off


The FIM Junior World Championship took place in Lierneux, Belgium this weekend and Mafi Yamaha’s Alvin Östlund rounded off a decent week of action and results by taking his YZ125 two-stroke to third best in the world…only seven days after dominating the final round of the EMX125 European Championship in the same country and finishing as 2014 runner-up on the continent.


The prestigious FIM meeting came one week after the Grand Prix of Belgium brought the curtain down on the EMX125, 250 and 300 European series. The sand of Lommel was a happy hunting ground for Östlund on the Mafi two-stroke; the Swedish teenager was one of several young stars using the power and agility of the motorcycle to achieve notable results in the over-subscribed and popular racing competition.

Today (Sunday) in the mud and wind of Lierneux, Östlund was clearly second fastest in both races to eventual winner and champion Brian Hsu but a slip in the second moto saw the youngster drop to third place and therefore occupy the same slot on the overall world championship podium. “A really good weekend,” he said. “I had two good starts and that was important because it was muddy and rutty but to come away with second and third makes me really happy.”

Östlund was one of three YZ125 riders in the final top four in Belgium; establishing Yamaha as the most prolific brand in the category. He was beaten by Venezuelan Gilberto Locurcio (as runner-up) and nudged MJC Yamaha’s David Herbreteau into fourth overall. Herbreteau was another to shine in the 2014 EMX125 campaign by taking two moto victories and fourth place in the championship table.