The final pre-season race for the Gabriel SS24 KTM team delivered a mixed day on a demanding track with deep sand conditions, as Oriol Oliver and Gyan Doensen took to the track for one last competitive outing before the championship begins. Facing challenging terrain that pushed both fitness and technique to the limit, the pair used the event to fine-tune their pace, sharpen race craft to build on.
During the timed practice session, Gyan showed steady improvement with each lap, gradually increasing his pace and confidence, and ultimately secured fifth place in group two. Timed practice for Oriol was unfortunately cut short due to a technical issue, Oriol re-grouped and headed to the start with 40th gate pick where he was ready to make the most of his position.
Gyan’s first race of the day didn’t unfold as he had hoped, as he was caught in a crash right out of the start and then went down again on lap two, making for a challenging beginning to his race. Despite the difficult start, Gyan stayed composed, put his head down, and began clicking off consistent lap times, steadily working his way back through the field with determination and focus finishing the race in fourteenth position.
Despite Oriol’s tough starting position and less track time, he launched off the line with intent and entered the first corner just outside the top twenty. Showing great composure and race craft, he quickly found his rhythm and, within the opening laps he chargerd his way up to fifteenth position. Oriol worked hard to fight his way up into eighth place, where he held for the majority of the race showing consistency throughout and pushing through the armpump, but in the closing stages he dropped back one position to ultimately finish a strong ninth.
Race two saw Gyan determined to redeem himself — and he delivered. He launched out of the gate in fourth position, setting himself up for a much stronger showing from the very start. Gyan closed the gap to the rider in front of him, stayed patient, and when the opportunity presented itself, executed a clean, decisive pass. The move positioned him in a strong third place, where he maintained his composure and control to secure a well-earned podium finish.
In MX1 race two, Oriol lined up determined to continue showing his potential and run up front with the big boys. He got out of the gate just outside the top twenty, and with strong, decisive passes in the opening laps, quickly worked his way up into eighteenth position. Using his race craft and switching lines to find a way forward, Oriol unfortunately made a small mistake that saw him go down. In the chaos that followed, riders behind were unable to avoid the bike, causing significant damage to the throttle housing and tube, leaving him unable to continue the race.
Oriol Oliver: “Yesterday was not the best day, in timed practice I wasn’t able to train as I was only able to do one lap due to a technical issue and then having to start 40th on the gate for the motos. In the first moto I was able to make some passes, making my way up to sixth . Without doing timed practice I struggled a lot with armpump throughout the moto and dropped back to ninth. The second moto I wanted to make a better start to the race , I made some passes in the first laps which was good . I then made a mistake and went down, I changed my lines to try and make the passes again but I crashed – The riders behind me hit my bike, braking my throttle and throttle cable which meant I could not continue the race. Its a shame as I wanted to treat this a training, show some good results and be upfront, it is better to have this here then in Argentina. I feel ready for the opening round of MXGP in Argentina next weekend.”
Gyan Doensen: “Time practice: The track was flat but fast and it had a good flow, I had the speed all day just couldn’t piece together that one perfect lap, which put me P5 in group 2. Moto 1: Bad start, clipped a rear wheel and went down, crashed again on lap two on top of that I had crazy arm pump. Giving up was never an option, I kept fighting and charged back from P40 to P14. Moto 2: Strong start and good pace, I waited a bit too long to make my move, and in the end I finished 3rd – just short of 2nd, close but not close enough. Plenty of positives to take and lessons learned, we will come back stronger and be ready for Spain. Big thanks to my team and everyone behind me – the work continues.”
Shaun Simpson – Team Manager: “Season opener in Lierop didn’t exactly go to plan. Gyan showed some good speed and fitness in both races. The start crash in moto one was a tough start to the day but he battled on throughout the race. Second moto was much better, taking a good start and riding consistently and pushing to a strong finish. Oriol didn’t get off to the best of days in qualifying which gave him 40th gate pick for the motos. Having not done practice he struggled with arm pump in the first race but stormed through with good speed before a mistake cost him a better finish. There’s not much he could have done in the second moto after the crash as the bike was damaged. It was a day where points didn’t mean prizes as it wasn’t part of a championship but it would of been nice for the boys to have more of a solid day, having said that they are all in one piece, they have learnt, got another gate drop and we are looking forward to the first round of the MXGP in Argentina next weekend.”
The team would like to say huge thank you to KTM and all our valued sponsors for their continued support, none of this would be possible without them. Gabriel SS24 KTM will now travel to Barlioche, Argentina for Oriol to debut in the season opener of MXGP on Sunday 8th March 2026.
Words by Gabriel SS24 KTM – Images courtesy of Niels Ooms
