Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

%' ... ~ w '" ~ C > '" o ... o ....... """' :I: Jeff James. winner of the permanent trophy for fast lap. takes the checkered flag in A Production at Watkins Glen. New York. Massimo Contini jumped his Cagiva to the overall win at round nine of the 125cc Motocross World Championship Series in Germany. Wortd Championship 12Scc MX Sertes: Round 9 Contini cleans up in German Grand Prix By Dave Smith LAUBUS-ESBACH, GERMANY AUG. 9 lLaly's Massimo Contini, the Cagiva development rider, dominated both races at the weekend's German l25cc GP in Laubus-Esbach, and by doing so moved once again into third place in the series standings. The ballie at the head of the table between Dutch youngsters Dave Strijbcis and John Van de Berk continued. but both riders had probblems during the course of the day. Cagiva teamster Strijbos eventually finished third in race one after spending a lot of time balliing LO overcome diminutive American Bobby Moore. while Va de ~ Qrn ~r;p 'm. [r fu. tie mana 'nU:is unable to overcome the American once Strijbos had broken through, but there was only a wheel separating them at the flag. trijbos started race two in di astrous fa hion, falling on the first lap and starting the second down in 35th position. Van de Berk was up in ninth, but in no time at all was through to seventh. Unfortunately after seven laps he was forced to retire when the ignition coil broke. Thi factor gave Strijbos new heart and he climbed through the pack very quickly from then on. In two laps he was through LO eighth. behind a ballie between Mika Kouki, Ismo and Pekka Vehkonen and Alain Lejeune. It took him four laps to demote that quartet, but he did it in one fell swoop. Although encouraged by the crowd Strijbos hadn't enough time LO catch Moore in third SP01. Home rider Dietmar Lacher (KTM) kept the 12,000 strong crowd, basking in temperatures in the high 80s, more than happy by chasing leader Contini all through the first race. But the gap of II seconds remained till the close. Lacher disappeared from race two after a heavy fall and after ~. qc;,rg~ s 'ltJ"l er-. man ro~ ~J Moore was initially involved in an epic battle in race one with Alain Lejeune and Alberto Barozzi but both were sidelined, Barozzi with a collapsed wheel and Lejeune after a heavy fall. The Italian connection held for the second race when Moore challenged 17-year-old Alessandro Puzar for second SP01. The dogfight started on lap two and continued right LO the close. For his efforts though Moore claimed econd overall on the day and hoisted himself LO ninth in the eries standings. For Lejeune it was a day LO [orgel. Striking good [orm in his adopted homeland he went out of race one and when placed second in race two his machine started LO tie-up, eventually grinding to a halt five laps from the fini h after slipping back LO eighth pOl. Another victim of the circuit was Mika Kouki. He punctured his from tire in race one and couldn't get back on terms after replacing it. But in race two he made amends with a fifth placing and a handful of points. Current World Champion Pekka Vehkonen surprised everyone by turning up to ride and trying to stay in LOuch wi th the eries leaders. He struggled all day with an injured shoulder, the legacy of his big crash in practice on the previous weekend. He arrived with his arm in a sling, missed most of free practice both days, completed his required five laps in timed training and started from a mediocre position on the tarmac grid. He rode [or points and it was obvious that he was in increasing pain as each race progressed. However, he scored in both outings, u ing his skill LO make things difficult for others to pass him. Younger cousin Ismo Vehkonen kept himself in contention for automatic qualification for next year's GPs. He picked up nine points for seventh place in race one and looked certain for another eight in the other, but two laps from the clo e he threw the plot away and eventually finished 20th. Results OVERALL: 1. Massimo Contini ICagi 20+2

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