Fantic Factory Racing MXGP’s Brent Van doninck secured a season-best seventh-place finish in race 1 and finished 11th overall at the MXGP of Czech Republic, confirming his improving form ahead of both his and the team’s home GP in Belgium.

With Alberto Forato recovering from scapula surgery, Brent Van doninck was the sole Fantic Factory Racing MXGP rider at round 13 of the FIM Motocross World Championship, and he made sure to fly the flag for the Italian brand: a solid 12th place in Saturday’s qualifying race laid the foundation for a strong race day in Loket.

Fast out of the gate aboard his Fantic XXF 450, the 30-year-old Belgian slotted into the top 5 right from the start of race 1. In a highly competitive MXGP field, he maintained an impressive pace to hold on to fifth place for much of the race. Despite losing a couple of positions in the closing stages, Van doninck crossed the line in a season-best seventh place.

Race 2 was off to another great start, with Van doninck once again in the fight for the top 5, before he was involved in a costly crash in the second corner. Forced to come through from the back of the field, the Fantic Factory Racing MXGP rider charged to 16th, narrowly missing out on a top-10 overall finish in 11th place.

Momentum is building ahead of the team’s highly anticipated home GP in the sands of Lommel.

Brent Van doninck:

“Race 1 was really good, and I had two great starts, but in race 2 another rider crashed right in front of me. I hit his bike and went down. It is a shame because I really believe a top-10 overall finish was within reach today. There was nothing I could do to avoid it, though, so we will take the positives into next weekend. I am really looking forward to my home GP. A lot of fans and friends will be there, and I am feeling really good on the bike, so I can’t wait to get back out there.”