Lars van Berkel of the Husqvarna SKS Racing NL team finished on the podium at the VLM/BMB season opener at Lommel in Belgium. Van Berkel was second for a long time, but eventually finished third.

"I did not have such a good start in the first heat, but worked my way forward from 8th to second. I closed in on the leader, but lost some rhythm in passing backmarkers, and eventually Freek van der Vlist managed to pass me. I repassed him, but again fell victim to an altercation with a backmarker, and finished third," Lars said.

The incessant rain and ever-worsening track forced the organizers to cancel the second heat. Lars will be in action at the Open Dutch Championship opener at Oss next Sunday.
Overall Belgian seasonopener Lommel:
1 Brent van Doninck
2 Freek van der Vlist
3 Lars van Berkel
4 Kevin van Geldorp
5 Jens van Meer