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/126790
o ~ .-I ... v ..0 o ~ u o Broc Glover (3) end Merk Bernett (2) finished 1-3 et the Ullevi Sports Stadium. in Sweden. John Vender Berk (7). Jorgen Nilsson (36) end Alen King (10). Glover sails in Swedish Supercross By Gary Van Voorhis GOTEBERG, SWEDEN, SEPT. 14 Broc Glover easily won the first-ever supercross held in Scandanavia. Holland's GertJan Van Doorn spoiled what could have been an American sweep of the top three spots by turning in a strong . k performance for second. Mar Barnett placed third in a ride which he was obviously dis- 18, J . . .. Al pleased With whde an Injured an King turned in a gutsy ride for fourth. The organizing Alvbygdens Motorklubb took advantage of the international riders in the area for the Trophee des Nations and came up with a multi-national field from as faraway as Australia and New Zealand plus a number of the top European and Scandanavlan GP riders. Among the missing: riders from 'ron Curtain countries and all members of the Motocros~desNauonswlnmngteam. Glover s machine came from the Swedish Hallman and Eneqvist Yamaha importers while Barnett was aboard a bike .furnished by (he Swedish Suzuki Importer with KlOg on a mount provided by the Honda counterpart. . . The track 10 Ullevi Sports Stadium, site of the Individual Speed- way World Championship on August 30 which drew 50,000 fans, snaked around the emerald green soccer field centerpiece. A crowd of just over 12,000 - which a press spokesperson deemed very encouraging - was on hand to view the run· like-clockwork show. The program was run basically like an American supercross with the feature a 20-rider, 20-lap affair. Sweden's Hakan Carlqvist, the 1984 500cc World Champion, the crowd favorite, and the subject on the program cover and all advertising posters, didn't disappoint the fans as he handily won the first moto. Carlqvist, in a no-nonsense ride, even stalled his engine which let Dutchman Jan Postema close the gap before "Carla" opened it up again. The first heat saw a problem crop up - broken spokes - for the many riders unfamiliar with the style of riding needed to go fast and save the machinery. Nearly every rider in the seven lap heats - except the Aussies and Kiwis - chose to land off all the jumps smack on the rear wheel. Heat two belonged all to Glover. The organizers had broken up the big four - Carlqvist, Glover, Barnett and King - among the four heats, so all would have the best chance POSSIble of going to the semis. Glover led by the second set of jumps on the course which he termed as "wide open and easy." Dutchman John Van Den Berk was a distant second. Barnett sty led his way to the third heat win over Swedes Jorgen Nilsson and Jonas Anderson. The ride was Barnett's first in supercross outside North America. King had to work his way to the front from a fourth place start in heat four. It took him two laps. King had a good battle with five-time Australian "Mr. Motocross" Champion Steven Gall for three laps before pulling away and getting the crowd cheering every time he styled off the finish line jump. . Glover wasted little time in taking the lead in the first 12-lap semi, but just as quickly gave it away on lap IWO. "I was bouncing along," said Glover with a grin, "and I bounced into the haybales in a tight section and stalled the engine." Van den Berk and Luxembourg's Jacky Martens quickly scooted past, but Glover was back in the lead before another lap ended. Van den Berk held off Martens for second. Postema topped Carlqvist for fOUTth after Carlqvist came through traffic from a first turn jam. Semi two saw Van Doorn grab the lead with Dutchman Johnny Hensen in tow ahead of Barnett. King was up after a first turn tangle in II th OUI of a 12-rider field. "Somebody hooked my rear wheel on the start," said King. '" got dragged over the jump, banged hard in the-center of my back and also gOI a gash on my right elbow which will need stitches after the finaL" Barnett quickly moved into second and began to challenge while King carved his way through traffic. Barnett went down on lap eight which allowed Van Doorn to open a healthy lead. "I stuck my face right into the bales after g;etting out of shape in a tight section," said Barnett. "I got excited when I went to start the engine because I didn't know how many laps were left. I just gassed it to the finish." Barnett ca.me up two bikelengths short of Van Doorn at the flag while King took third over Dane Peter Hansson and Nilsson. The 20·lap final nearly started without Glover. "I sent my mechanic to see what time the start was. He said we had time so I watched the fireworks display from the top of the transporter and then walked to the start area," recounted Glover. "Everyone but me was already on the line and I didn't have my bike. By the time I got my bike to the starting gate, the on 11' spot left-on the very outside-was the worst one possible. I gambled on the start and came away with about fourth into turn one." The tight first turn had' claimed riders all night and this time it was Carlqvist among others. He parked his bike without ever running a lap. Van den Berk, King, Van Doorn and Glover led the field on lap one. Barnett was seventh. Glover, timing his pa.ssing moves for maximum eHiciency on the "one line" track, took the lead on lap six. Van den Berk, Van Doorn, King, Martens and Barnett followed in a fairly tight formation. "Once I got the lead everything went pretty smooth," said Glover. '" had no real problems." Glover stretched out his lead and left the battle to those behind. Van Doorn, King and Barnett quickly went after second when Van den Berk bobbled out of contention. With four laps to go, the hattie for second closed on leader Glover, until he turned up the wick. Barnett had earlier displaced King for third, but nobody had been able to bump Van Doorn from second, but Barnett tried in the final laps. Van Doorn held on. Glover, although able to master the track, and the winner, couldn't get his bottle of champagne open and had to get assistance from a smiling Van Doorn. Glover hoisted his champagne, a check for approximately $3,100 and a silver trophy while Van Doorn, caught between Glover and a decidedly glum-looking Barnett, looked apprehensive. A fitting close to the event saw the organizers. take a phone hook· up to winner's circle and had Glover place a call - amplified on the public address system - to his mother. No one was home. "I thought the phone call set up by the club was really neat," said Glover, "even if I didn't talk to anyone." • Results 1. Broc Glover (Yam); 2. Gert-Jan Van Doorn ISuzl; 3. Mark Barnen (Suz); 4. Alan King (Hon); 5. Jacky Martens (KTM); 6. Jorge" Nilsson (Hon); 7. La~ Nikla..on (Yam); B. John Van den Berk(Husl; 9. '. , IPa.er Hansson (Hus); 10. .S!....n)GalllVrml. ) I 1 . .. _