Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

~ m III III ~ w it « a:: z a:: w ~ 0 w w ><: ~ ... .... > al 0 a:: 0 ~ 0 > al J: 0 ~ 0 CL ~ 00 J: CL 0') ~ ~ 0 ~ .... (1) ..0 0 .... U 0 Eddy Lejeune, here getting a helping hand, finished second in Sweden end took his third World Observed Triels Chempionship. World Championship Observed Trials Series: Final round Minnesota mauler John Martin mastered Millville's motorcycle mania, methodical magic Martin maneged twice befor•. AMA/Hi-Point National Championship Hare Scrambles Series: Round 8 Swedish trialto Michaud, Millville mastered by third straight title to Martin Lejeune By Rolfe Otterness MILLVILLE, MN, SEPT. 16 By Mike Rapley LERUM, SWEDEN, SEPT. 9 Honda's Eddy Lejeune won his third straight World Championship when he finished second to his nearest challenger, Fantic's Thierry Michaud, in the final round of the observed trials title series In Sweden. Dirty tricks played an unwelcome part in the event, for 22 in an abortive attempt to deprive Lejeune o( the title, the Fantic (actory riders were instructed by their boss, Mario Agrati, to hinder and delay Lejeune at every possible opportunity and (orce him to finish out o( time and thereby be excluded, which would allow Michaud togainenough points to pass Lejeune and win the champion· ship. . But the wily Lejeune soon realized what was happening and (rom the 16th section o( the 21 on each lap, Lejeune pressed on, getting ahead o( Michaud on the course so that all delaying tactics not only aHected Lejeune but also Michaud. It was an unnecessary tactic by the Fantic (actory boss, (or his riders didn't like the instruction any more than Lejeune did, with the result that Fantic's name was dragged through the mud in what is normally a good: • natured and (riendly sport. However, tactics aside, the odds were against Michaud winning and though the Frenchman had a twomark advantage at the end o( the twolap, 28-kilometer trial, Lejeune, despite not looking at sections on the second lap, (inished second which was good enough to give him the crown by eight points. The Belgian Honda rider is a worthy winner and in doing so he equaled the three-straight titles won lIy Yrjo Vesterinen in the late seven-, J ties. Indeed, Michaud is a worthy runner-up, (or he has been the definite number two all season. Both riders have played the game (air and square, remain good (riends, and both are looking (orward to another close contest in 1985. With a (ourth-place (inish in Sweden, (ormer World Champion Bernie Schreiber made sure o( third place overall with a healthy lead over Frenchman Phillipe Berlatier who (ailed to score on hisltaljet in a rainsoaked Sweden. With the series now (inished there are some clear conclusions to be made. Without any doubt Lejeune and Michaud are the best by a clear mar- . gin with Cali(ornian Schreiber a distant third, though at one stage his placing looked to be in jeopardy when Berlatier challenged. But Berlatier is temperamental which hasn't helped him to be consistent, so Schreiber bettered him. At one stage Bernie was reconed to be a challenge . (or the top two men, particularly when he won the British round early in the year. But problems with (inances and an u~settling situation with his new Garelli - which is still to make an appearance - held Schreiber 8 back. Results 1. Thierry Micheud (Fen); 2. Eddy Lejeune (Han); 3. Peocel Couturier(IIet); 4. Bernie Schreiber (SWM); 5. Ste.e Seunders (Arm); 6. Tony Seerlen (Vem); 7. Diego Bosis(F8n); 8. Peter Jllhn (Man); 9. Luis GIll· ech (Mer); 10. Andreu Codine (Monl. FINAL POINT STANDINGS: 1. Lejeune (217); 2. Micheud (209): 3. Schreiber 1151); 4. Berletier 112B); 5. Lempltin (lOB); 6. Seunders (98); 7. Gellech (79); 8. Couturier (78); 9. 8urvetl72); 10. Cor· ""'nnior(811': I (. ) I 1/1; • , ) I - _ I. , I Can-Am's John Martin took the overall win as the Golden Eagles M.C. hosted the nextto-last National of the series. This marked the third time in three years that the Duluth, Minnesota-based rider has won this event. Martin pounded out six laps of the II.5-mile course . h h f 23 h in t fee ours or a . mp average. Husqvarna's Kevin Hines and Can-Am's GeoH Ballard placed second and third overall, respectively. Husky's Mike Melton was the series point leader going into this round, but elected not to compete after sustaining an elbow injury recently. Hines, second in points going in, planned to ride a (ast but conservative race (rom the outset. At the combined start (or the 250cc and Open classes, Hines jumped to an early lead. As the pack left the MX track and headed into the wooded hillsides, Jack Lane held second while Ballard, Fritz Kadlec, Ed Lojak arid Martin were all close to the (ront. Early in the first lap, Lojak took a hard (all and Ballard ran into Lojak's bike. Lojak dislocated his knee and was (orced to sit out the rest o( the day. Ballard was' underway again quickly, but his handlebars were bent back, somewhat slowing his pace. Martin closed rapidly on leader Hines and took over the (ront posi· tion near the end o( the first lap. From that point on, Martin held the lead. Husky's Kadlec punctured a tire on the (irst lap and stopped to replace it, losing quite a (ew places in the process. Ballard picked up his pace in the next (ew laps and passed Hines with his sights set on leader Martin. A slowing engine put Ballard at a disadvantage in the later going, and . Hines regained second overall. Martin slid to a stop and the overall win just a little over the threehour mark. Hines was second o\leraU on his Husky 400WR, about one minute, 50 seconds back. Ballar~ was thtrd at 40 seconds behmd ~mes. Kadlec recovered well (rom hiS (Jat tire troubles to take (ourth overall. Local rider Scott Hogenson started in the second wave and on corrected time finished (ifth overall on his Honda CR125. "I did what I set out to do - ride a conservative, but (ast race to try and get points," said Hines. "The course was really nice, with good variety, and traction was ideal." • 1._ Results OVERALL: 1. John Mllnin IC-AI; 2. Kevin Hi..... Geoff BellerdlC-AJ; 4. Fritz KecI.... (Hust 5. (Hon~ 8. Peul Lemon (Kewl: 7. Tony Mite..... (Hust 8. Freel Hoe. (lCTMt I. IIetry Jeflriee (lCTMt 10. Scott _ ...... (Hon~ 125cc A: 1. S - ~ n (Hont 2. IIetry Jeffries (lCTM~ 3. Itich R _ /yemt 4. Kevin Allen (KTMI; 5. CIIIlg GewreIuIl (SlIZ). 200cc A: 1........ Me_ /Yeml; 2.' M _ McCerren /Yem~ 3. Rod Wink (Hont 4. WIlmen Ully l<:ett 5. Pet Rynn /Yem). 250cc A: 1. John Mertin (C-AI; 2. Geoff Bellerd (C-AI; 3. Freel _ _ (KTMt 4. Jim ""-tier (C·A); 5. (Hus~ 3. Scott ~_(C·A). OPEN A: 1. Kevin HI..... (Hust 2. Fritz KedIec: 3. Peul Lemon (Kawt 4. Tony Mitchell (Hust 5. Kirk _ (M-St. (Hont 2. Gre4-STROKE: 1. Scott W gory T_er lHonI; 3. Rencly t.ewli (Han); 4. Joe HeilSChe (Han); 5. " - r t Ruby (Hon). Sli A: 1. Berry HllIIlnl IKTM); 2. Jimmy Ford fHon~ 3. Rei... Siebe (MIIil; 4. S _ ReIChe; 5. Leon Petlter (Husl. SUPER SR: 1. Jeff Smith fC-At 2. Jeck Menz (KTM); 3. Corky Root; 4. Richerd Mertin IHon~ 5. Lewil Beettie ISuI). 200cc B: 1. 8ruce Kerenen (KTM); 2. Dennie Feu (Vem); 3. T;m Pelech (Kew); 4. De.e Grunt... IKew); 5. Joe Berecheid /yem). OVERALL 8: Todd Olmen (SUI). 250cc 8: 1. Todd Olmen(Suz); 2. Tim Schiertend lKew); 3. Cherlie Boeck IHon); 4. Gery Behrenl (Kew); 5. Dele Lebode (Yem). OPEN 8: 1. De.id Peters IHon); 2. Den Scheler (Yemt 3. Devid Egerdlll (Han); 4. Roger Hendricks (Hus); 5. Dele Fen (Veml. SR B: 1. Jim Gibbone (Vem); 2. Terry Werren (SUI); 3. John E.ens (KTM); 4. Olen Barril (HuI). C: 1. Chuck Kurk_i (Kew); 2. StlMl Aldermen (Han); 3. De.id Undgren (Han); 4. Doug Muellner J 1Kew~ 5.lMicl1loel LuDd ISlIZ).. '. J .• j \. (Hus~ I

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