Germany’s Brian Hsu looms as runaway favourite to win the 125cc class at the World Junior Motocross Championships following his performances in wrapping up the EMX125 European Championship title in the deep sand of Lommel, in Belgium, last weekend.

He also knows he can expect strong challenges from the likes of Sweden’s Alvin Östlund, Dutch star Davy Pootjes, Frenchman David Herbreteau, Latvian Tomass Sileika and Italy’s Joakin Furbetta, along with young American stars Alexander Frye, Challen Tennant, Cole Barbieri and Jon Ames.

And there are a couple of Kiwi riders, too, will be hoping to present a challenge in the 125cc class, Hamilton’s Josiah Natzke and Taupo’s Cohen Chase, along with Australian hero Hunter Lawrence.

The 2014 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship will take place this weekend (August 9-10) at Liemeux, near Bastogne, in Belgium. More than 280 riders, from 38 nations, will compete at the event in 65cc, 85cc and 125cc categories.

Rockstar Energy Suzuki Europe rider Hsu (pictured above) knows the pressure will be on because his EMX125 title now makes him an obvious target for all the 125cc class hopefuls.

He made sure of the team’s first EMX125 European Championship title with the RM125 by finishing second overall at Lommel last weekend, the final round of seven in the hotly-contested European two-stroke series.

The sand at Lommel carried little in the way of surprises. The terrain was a bumpy, difficult and tiring as ever and 21,000 spectators surrounded the largely flat and demanding course and basked in some fine summer conditions.

Hsu came into the GP defending a slight lead in the EMX125 standings over Pootjes who ultimately could not compete due to injury. The German rode steady and without large mistakes through the motos on Saturday and Sunday morning for two third positions and his second major accolade after scooping the 85cc Junior World Championship last year.

“The beginning of the season wasn’t so good and I had some problems but I grew into the year and got much better,” said Hsu.

“I felt good and was riding good. I know in Loket (in the Czech Republic, the penultimate round of the EMX125 Championships), I had to get some points ahead for the championship for this sandy track where we race something similar perhaps once a year.

“Lommel was good, it was tough. I went there to win but couldn’t because Ostlund was so fast. In the back of my mind I was thinking about the championship and to be safe. We go to the world championship now and I have to keep working.”

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EMX125 European Championship final standings:

1. Brian Hsu (GER, SUZ), 268 points;

2. Alvin Östlund (SWE, YAM), 252;

3. Davy Pootjes (NED, KTM), 216;

4. David Herbreteau (FRA, YAM), 181;

5. Tomass Sileika (LAT, KTM), 177;

6. Joakin Furbetta (ITA, KTM), 168.

Photo courtesy Suzuki