Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126653
Q(') 00 0') Haun Carlqvi8t'. MXGP win gave him the point lead. (File photo.) "Carlqvist was faster than 1 was today and that is not good," admitted Malherbe, "I know where 1 was going wrong and there are a few changes 1 will make before the next round, I'm still confident I will be champion," The first molO was a Carlqvist benefit. The Yamaha man hit the front out of the tight first turn and blew the rest of the world's best MXers in the weeds. He was 10 seconds clear after only two laps and rapidly pulled out even more ground. Carlqvist's only mistake came when he stalled his bike's engine on a downhill section, but he had plenty of time to restart and the 12,000 spectators hardly knew anything was wrong. . "I was going so carefully that Ijust went too slow," said Carla, "and the engine just cut out. It wasn't really a problem." Britain's Dave Thorpe held second on his Honda for the first haH of the malO, but then went completely offpace and slipped 10 fifth by the finish. "I just forgot about Hakan when he moved away and 1 rode at my own pace," said Watson. "That was a big mistake and it allowed the others to close in." Behind Thorpe, a battle developed between Suzuki's Harry Everts, Malherbe, Honda's Graham Noyce and Kawasaki factory rider Laurence Spence. Surprisingly, it was Noyce who missed out. He fell twice and dropped to seventh. The others built up such a pace they all passed Thorpe before the finish. With Carlqvist repeating his performance in mota two, things again focused on the battle behind. Bruno and Malberbe were having a tussle for second before Bruno waved his friend through, allowing Malherbe to collect additional vital championship points. Bruno crashed on the final lap and slipped to seventh. The crowd's biggest round of applause went to Irishman Spence, who had his Kawasaki's engine seize in the final turn before the finish. The tough rider from Belfast lifted up the bike's locked rear wheel and vinually carried the machine the final 20 yards to claim nimh before he collapsed right under the checkered £lag. America's only 500cc GP series rider, Gary Semics, failed to score any points after two disappointing rides . Results • 500cc: ,. Haken Carlq"ist (Yam) ,.,; 2, Andre Malho,be (Hon); 2·3; 3. Harry Evort. ISuz) 3·2; 4. Laurence Spence (Kaw) 4·9; 5. Graham Noyce IHon) 7·5; 6. Jaok Von Vollhovon (KTM)8·6; 7. Ivan vanden Sroeck (Suzl --4; 8. David Thorpe (Hen) 5--; 9. Andre Vromans (Suz) 6--; 10. Jean-Jacques Bruno (Suz) eo 7; 1,. Jukka Sintonen (Yam) --8; 12. Neil Hudson (Yam) 9·-; 13. Jonathan Wright (Kaw) 10--; 14. Leif Persson (Hus) -·10. -Denotes finish oul of top 10. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINT STANDINGS; 1. Ca,lqvlSt (195); 2. Malho'be (190); 3. Noveo 1141); 4. Evort. (101); 5. Thorpe (73); 6. Sintonon (59); 7. Vroman. (53); 8. Bruno (45); 9. Tippi Pikkarainen (41); 10. mE) von den 8,oock/van Valthovon (34). 4101 Wesleity Place I • .. • • 19