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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126919
rubbing his hands - as one of the
world's most accomplished riders in
the mud, he had everything to look
forward to.
The Frenchman was given additional incentive when his main rival
for the crown, Michele Rinaldi, was
injured in timed practice on Sunday
morning; a mechanic walked out in
front of the Suzuki factory rider and
he severely injured his face and jaw
on the mechanic's toolbox in the
resulting crash. Rinaldi gallantly returned later in the ses ion, but could
only post the 27th faste t time.
England's Jem Whatley stormed
into the lead in race one by riding
around the out ide of Vimond and
Germany's Roland Diepold in the
first turn and he proceeded to lead the
pack around the difficult track. However, on lap three he slipped off the
factory Cagiva allowing Vimond to
pass and he fell again two laps later
permitting Diepold to snatch second.
Whatley then settled in to a safe third
deciding that 15 points were better
than risking further crashes while
trying to improve his position.
Vimond then led home the pack
without difficulty, pursued by crowd
favorite Diepold. Simo Taimi rode to
an inspired fourth while a whole list
of riders spluttered or slid to a halt in
the mud-ridden track.
Vimond lapped all the way up to
12th place, including the unlucky
Rinaldi in 15th spot. Austria's Kurt
Mahr had his best result of the season
in fifth and was followed by Finn
Kurt Ljungqvist.
Race two had the rain-soaked crowd
eagerly anticipating the crowning of
the first World motocross champ of
1986. With Vimond needing only to
secure an eight-point advantage over
Rinaldi in this race to grab the crown.
Diepold led off the line with Vimond, Whatley, Rinaldi and Ljungqvist slithering around as they battled
for second spot. Halfway around the
lap, Vimond was in control from the
Ge'rman, the Italian and the Brit.
But luck again desened Whatley as
his engine spluuered to a bait with
the carb full of mud and water before
the end of the lap and a possible bagful of points disappeared. His first
race, however, was good enough to
hoist him into third place in the
standings ahead of the absent GenJan Van Doorn. Meanwhile, Rinaldi
gOt a front flat during lap one but
rode magnificantly to finish seventh.
Diepold collected a rear flat on lap
three. but managed to race home to
third spot while being loudly encouraged by his fellow countrymen.
The conditons were uch that Vimond lapped even the fifth place finisher and the final point scorer Pablo
CoJomina of Spain was lapped twice.
No one could deny the Frenchman
his moment of glory. He looked self
confident and totally under control
until the final circuit when he suddenly sJowed and rode around in
trials fashio , and in places looked
close to falling off. Maybe the pressure of three seasons of trying to
secure the title came to the surface on
this lap, as he collapsed over the bars
immediatly after he crossed the finish
line. He was mobbed by his entourage and French supporters.
Diepold got a deserved and tremendous welcome for his best-ever
result - second overall - while
Ljungqvist claimed third.
Now with the World Championship decided, interest centers on second to fifth places as Whatley sets his
sights on the distant Rinaldi in second, but he must watch carefully
Jacky Vimond won the West Germany 260cc Motocross Grand Prix and
with it clinched the World Championship.
with Van Doorn and Hansson close
behind with two rounds to go.
Results
OVERAlL: 1. Jocl