Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

was eighth while Dutchman Remy Van Rees placed ninth. Rounding out the top 10 was England's James Dobb on a 250cc Suzuki on loan from Belgian 250cc GP rider Werner DeWit. With another four points, Team USA held eight .total points after the first moto while second-place France totaled 24 points with all four scores factored in. A finish of 12th or better by either McGrath or Emig in the final moto would seal the win for Team USA, but the Americans entered the last moto intending to continue the blood-letting. Ernig holeshot again from the outside in the third and final moto, leading the KTM-mounted King, Ger,rnany's Lacher and Belgium's Smets up the first hill. McGrath led the second wave of riders as the top 250 and fifth in the field. Ernig let King by on the top of the hill on the outside but settled into second while McGrath blasted right up to his rear fender. At that point, halfway through (Right) Yves Demaria contributed to the French team's second-place finish. (Below) Emig led much of the first 125/500cc moto before letting teammate Lamson by. The U.S. team won with a 12-point cushion over France. 2SD/Hon); 7. Stefan Everts (Belgium/125/Hon); 8. Darryl King (NZ/250/Hon); 9. Remy Van Rees (Holland/250/Kaw); 10. James Dobb (England! 250/Suz); 11. Pedro Tragter (Hol1and/125/Suz); 12. Yves Demaria (France/2S0/Yam); 13. J. Eliasson (Sweden/2S0/Yafn); 14. Franco Garcia Vieo (Spain! 2SO/Yam); 15. Brian Jorgensen (Denmark/I25/Kaw); 16. Rupert Willner (Austria/250/KTM); 17. Jon Briefly_· .••_ On hand to :"itness· Steve Lamson's historic. ride was T.eam USA alumnus J.ohnny O-Mara, the man who rode into motocross the first lap, Ernig went to let McGrath go by but got himself covered in water for his efforts. "Before the moto Jeff sa.;d, 'AU right, when you came up behind me just yell and I'll let you by,'" McG~ath said of the splash. "He moved outside and I shot in but there was this huge puddle there from where they watered. I had no choice but to nail it and poor Jeff just got soaked." "He totally covered me!" Emig laughed later. "I was so wet 1 almost couldn't stay on the bike. On the next jump 1 couldn't squeeze the tank and almost threw it away. Maybe it was a little payback for the 250 Nationals or something. [ was thinking, 'Damn, nmy I'm all dirty and no one is going to get a good photo of me.'" . All joking aside, once into second it took McGrath just half a lap to roll past King and then, just like that, McGrath was gone. The five-time AMA National Champion put together a moto of perfect riding, pulling a second a lap on everyone and coasting across the finish line with abou t 15 seconds to spare on Bervoets, who came from sixth on the first lap to second in the field. Demaria was third with Beirer fourth, both on 250ccs, and Ernig rolled across the finish line a no-nonsense fifth, the top 500cc. The next-closest 500cc rider was sixthplace Bolley - 28 seconds behind the . American. "How far was that guy behind me? Thirty seconds? I'm pretty satisfied with that," said Ernig of his first-ever 500cc ride, his fourth MX des Nations class win. "I just let McGrath go and I was thinking, 'Just don't break your neck out there.' He and Steve were both riding so well today, nobody was going to beat them - especially me on that 500." "I wasn't motivated to come out here and race the last two years," McGrath . said. "This year I wanted to corne and I really wanted to win. I feel vindicated about winning after all I've been through with this race the last couple of years. I just wish Stefan (Everts) would have ridden a 250 because he said he wanted to kick my ass so bad. Next year the race is in Belgium, so he'll get his chance. Tell him I'm coming back if they Jet me." 0 Motocross des Nations Jerez, Spain Results: September 22, 1996 MOTO ONE (1251500; 30 minutes plus 2 laps), 1. Steve Lamson (USA/l2S/Hon); 2. Sebastien Tortelli (France/125/Kaw); 3. Jeff Emig (USA/SOO/Kaw); 4. Stefan Everts (Belgium/I25/Hon); 5. Frederic BoUey (France/SOO/Kaw); 6. Dietmar Lacher (Germany/SOO/ Han); 7. Shayne King (NZ/SOO/KTM); 8. Leon Giesbers (Holland/SOO/KTM); 9. Brian Jorgensen (Denmark/ 125/Suz); 10. David Aviles (Spain/SOO/Kaw); 11. Pedro Tragter (Holland/l25/Suz); 12. M. Kucirek (Czech/ SOO/Hon); 13. Alessio Chiodi (ltaly/12S/Yam); 14. Phillipe Dupasuier (Switzerland/l25/Kaw); 15. Paul Malin (England/]2s/Yam}; 16. M. Saarenkoski (Fmland/I25/Hon); 17. O. Eifren (Sweden/I2S/Kaw); 18. Eric MachtLinger (Austria/SOO/Hon); L9. Peter Johansson (Sweden/SOO/Hus); 20. A. Leok (Estonia/SOO/Hon); 21. M. Kova1aint?n (Finland/SOO/ Hon); 22. Noel Cook (Australia/125/Hon); 23. J. Sitar (Slovenia /500/ Hon); 24. Brian Steele (Ireland /125/ Hon); 25. K. Odagiri Gapan/500/Hon); 26. Franco Rossi (ltaly/SOO/KTM); 27. T. Cubitt (lre1and/SOO/Hon); 28. B. Kampus (Slovenia/125/Hus); 29. Y. Kawashima Uapan/12s/Suz); 30. P. Kuchar (Czech/l25/Suz); 31. Bernd Eckenbach (Germany/12S/Kaw); 32. V. Kahro (Estonia/12S/Hon); 33. Rob Herring (England/sOO/ Hon); 34. Kim Ashkenazi (Australia/SOO/Hon); 35. J.e. Tomus (Switzerland/SOO/ Hon); 36. Xavier CoJomer (Spam/12S/TM); 37. Jon Coppins (NZ/125/Suz); 3B. Joel Smets (Belgium/SOO/Hsbg); 39. Walter Muller (Austria/12s/Suz); 40. Michele Caprini (Denmark/ SOO/Hus). Time: 35 min, 53.49 sec. MOTO TWO (1.251250; 30 minutes plus 2 laps); 1. Jeremy McGrath (USA/250/Hon); 2. Mamicq Bervoets (Belgium/250/Suz); 3. Steve Lamson (USA/I25/Hon); 4. Andrea Bartolini (Italy /2S0/Yam); 5. Sebastien Tortelli (France/125/Kaw); 6. Pit Beirer (Germany/ lore in 1986 when he beat 5000.0. Wo-rld Champion. Dave Thorpe on· a. 125cc..-Steve beat the world champ plusl" exclaimed O'Mara. figuring U.S. 25Qcc National Champ Jeff Emig into the . equation. "This is a cool course for a·125, the" way' iI's so chopp>, golng into the comers. .Maggiora (Italy) was like this that day wit~· the same elevation changes. 100, where a 125 can go much harder into the corners than big bike. When I was watching I was thinking about that race. too. I was faster than Thorpe because the track let me be. Same with Lam· son and Tortelli; they were going so fast together and Emig was just riding safely. so he just let those guyS go on and do their thing.O'Mara was a member of Team USA four times. including.the legendary 1981 squad that first won the event for America. Johnny 0' . -J.P. - to his closest friends" now works for Oakley. a Coppins (NZ/12S/Suz); ]8. Craig Anderson (Australia/250/KTM); 19. Miska Aaltonen (Finland/ 250/Hon); 20. Phillipe Dupasquier (Switzerland/l25/ Kaw); 21. J. Jorgensen (Denmark/250/Kaw); 22. Greg Crockard (lreland/250/Yam); 23. S. Kragelj (Slovenia/ 250/Kaw); 24. Xavier Colomer (Spain/l25/TM); 25. M. Zerava (Czech/250/Suz); 26. M. Saarenkoskl (Fmland/ 125/Hon); 27. Bernd Eckenbach (Gennany/I25/Kaw); 28. Brian Steele (lreland/12S/Hon);.29. Noel Cook (Auslralia/l25/Hon); 30. C. Chanton (Swizlerland/ 2SO/Suz); 31. Y. Kawashima '(Japan/]2S/Suz); 32. A. Kerstinov (Estonia/2'SO/ Kaw); 33. B. .Kampus (Slovenia/l25/Hus); 34. V. Kahro (Estonia/I25/Hon); 35. Paul Malin (England/125/Yam); 36. Alessio Chiodi (Italy/I25/Yam); 37. P. Kuchar (Czech/125/Suz); 38. O. Eifren (Sweden/125/Kaw). Time: 35 min., 37.3] sec. MOTO THREE (250/500; 30 minutes plus 2 laps): 1. Jeremy McGrath (USA/2S0/Hon); 2. Marnicq Bervoets (Belgium/250/Suz); 3. Yves Demaria (France/ 250/Yam); 4. Pit Beirer (Gerrnany/250/Hon); S. Jeff Emig (USA/SOO/Kaw); 6. Frederic Bolley (France/ SOO/Kaw); 7. DarryllGng (NZ/250/Yam); B. Dietmar Lacher (Germany/SOO/Hon); 9. James Dobb (England/ 250/Suz); 10. Rob Herring (England/SOO/Hon); 11. Andrea Bartolini (Italy /2SD/Yam); 12. Leon Giesbers (HolJand/SOO/KTM); 13. J. Eliasson (Sweden/ 2S0/Yam); 14. Shayne King (NZ/SOO/KTM); 15. Joel Smets (Belgium/SOO/Hsbg); 16. Miska Aaltonen (Finland/2S0/Hon); ]7. Peter Johansson (Sweden/ SOO/Hus); 18. E. MachtHnger (Austria/soo/Hon); 19. David Aviles (Spain/SOO/Kaw); 20. Craig Anderson (Australia/2s0/KTM); 21. S. Kragelj (Slovenia /250/Kaw); 22. C. Chanton (Switzerland/250/Suz); 23. M. Zerava (Czech/2s0/Suz); 24. Greg Crockard (Lreland/2S0/Yam); 25. J.K. Jorgensen (Denmark/ 2S0/Kaw); 26. A. Leak (Estonia/SOO/Hon); 27. M. Kucirek (Czech/SOO/Hon); 28. Rupert Walkner (Austria/2S0/KTM); 29. K. Ogagirl Oapan/SOO/Hon); 30. M. Kovalainen (Finland/SOO/Hon); 31. Franco Rossi (Italy/SOO/KTM); 32. J. Sitar (Siovenia/SOO/Hon); 33. T. Cubitt (Lreland/SOO/Hon); 34. A. Kerstinov (Estonia/2S0/Kaw); 35. F. J. Garcia Vico (Spain/ 250/Yam); 36. Remy Van Rees (Holland/2S0/Kaw). Time: 35 min., 58.84 sec. FINAL TEAM RESULTS (Best 5 of 6 finishes), 1. USA (9); 2. France (21); 3. Beglium (30); 4. (TIE) Germany/Holland (51); 6. New Zealand (53); 7. Sweded (79); B. Italy (BS); 9. Finland (9B); 10. Czech Republic (117); 11. Ireland (15); 12. Slovenia (127); 13. Estonia (144); 14. Great Britain (44~ 15. Spain (67 on 4 finishes); 16. Denmark (70/4); 17. Austria (80/4); lB. Switzerland (86/4); 19. Australia (B9~ 20. Japan (114). track.. 'As he crested the tabletop at the high· est point on the track· a blind. left·leading jump that naturally pitched the riders over to the left - Ashkenazi caught a gust of wind and was pushed te<;> far to ·the left, He floated over the banners and. landed in the· no-man's land between the ~arking ·tape and the spectator fence. ·Unfortunately. a course ·marshal stand· . ing next to the track·did not see the bike coming and Ashkena~i nail.ed him. The impact was frightening and left both men in the medical room of the. Jerez circuit. Ashkenazi was banged up pretty good and would not ride the thied and final moto. while the ·other. guy was seriously i'njured. "It was the' biggest crash I eVer had in my life." said a' stunned' AshkenaZi later.. -The guy should not have been standing there but E'urope sucks like that. The people· should never be that close ,to the track But then again f -shouldn't have gotten that far out of shape· maybe it's not all his fault.' Speaking of Ashkenazi.. the Australian con· firmed that he haS inked a deal to retum to his homeland to compete in 1997 after one year in America. The high point of his U.S. season came in February at the San Diego SX. when he came within a bike·length of winning the Also on hand in Spain was Olive Thorpe, the main event, three-time 500cc World Champion who took a beQting by the U.S. media after he let O'Mara Just so there's no mistake, the three fastest beat him in '86. Thorpe 'is now a race team . lap times of the day in each division came manager and acts. as Team England's manager from the three American riders. The fastest lap for this event. l'en years after the thrashing he time pf all came from Team USA's Jeremy took. Thorpe is still a little bitter about the '86 McGrath. who tumed a 2,10.65 In the second race. -They never mention now I beat Bailey, moto that combined 125 and 2500.0. riders. Ward and Leohien in all three. niotos·the year Lamson's best lap was a 2:12.79 In the first' before in Switzerland. - ·said Thorpe in Spain. moto: Tortelli"s a 2:12.93. -Jeff Emig's best -Now Iwonder if the American press will be as time on the KX500 was a 2: 13.47. hard on Jeff Emig and C500cc World Champ) The -fourth - member of Team USA was noi Shayne King as they were to" me. " forgotten at ihe MX des Nations. Team The next time .the bench racing question of Kawasaki"s Ryan Hughes originally was slat· "Who's the .greatest Motocross des Nations ed for the .5000.0. role, but broKe his leg at rider ever?" comes up, the most correc.t Steel City ·an.d c.ould not compete. That· answer shQuld be Team USA's JeH Emig. 'In opened the door for Jeff Emig and put to rest , five years of active dutY on the team· Emlg 'has the conlrovimiy lhat Emig should have been 'won his class four times and finished second asked before' anyone. All three members of once. He also. is the only rider in the historY of the team· shouted out props to the injured the event ever to top all three classes. And, his Ryno after the race, i.ncluding .the guy who· five straight appearances for Team USA tie the replaced him. -I'm glad that it worked. out for record·sei by moto gods David BaileY'and Jeff '. me to come here. - ·Emig said.' -I think· that Ward. . Rrno (Ryan Hughes) would· have done just as good. and I'm sur.e he wishes he were here to On the fifth lap of the first 125/500cc moto. be a part ·of this. I know he wanted it·pretty Australian open 'rider Kim Ashkenazi 'was bad and he' would have gotten the job done.. involved in a horrific :accident at the top of the . too..'· \0 0\ 0\ 'M 0' 1i:l E u o 11

• Cover