Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

OFF-ROAD other major events, was not backing down and the show went on. , Sunday dawned with slight overcast skies and a wind from the North Sea that brought temperatures down around the minus mark, perfect for the action , that was about to take place. As the riders made their way to the parc ferme in the center of town, it was obvious all eyes were on Dakar legend Peterhansel. Sure, the king had never done anything special in his past Le T6uquet appearances, but this guy is big in France, and his appearance alone' brought many of the spectators. It would all be put into perspective, though, as the huge field of riders entered the Le Goulet for the first time. Peterhansel was back in 15th place and about to be swallowed by the oncoming riders. "It was very untidy," Peterhansel said. '~Riders were everywhere. I saw a guy in front crash and tried to go around him, but it was too late. 1 lost "It was losing power," Giesbers . some time getting go'ing again.. " explained. "I had to stop, then of course • I lost time, so 1 was back where 1 startUp front, it was Hauquier followed ed." by a surprising Jobe, riding a Honda, then came another French motocross Sure enough, Giesbers was in fifth, some two minutes behind the leader, but rider, Thierry Bethys, Giesbers and a herd of cowboys so intent on getting out his climb up the leaderboard was incredible, with a lap around the lo-mile track of the way of the turn-one mess that anything was likely. taking the super-fast Hauquier around .Also back in the pack came Finland's 30 minutes. Giesbers was pulling in five minutes a lap, and within six laps was Miska Aaltonen, the new KTM factory rider, using the sand·race as his preseaagain hounding the top two. son testing grounds, something another "It felt really good," Giesbers said. "1 KTM factory rider Kurt Nicoll wanted ran out of gas, though, and lost some none of. time, but got that back very fast." But "It's a mad race, full of atmosphere his chase, like that of Jobe and Peterand danger," Nicoll said. "Last year hansel, was in vain. KTM told me to do it, but this year 1 was With only four laps to go, it was lucky enough to miss it. It's no good for Hauquier 46 seconds ahead of my preparation." Demester, followed closely by Giesbers. As laps went by, the power of the For all intents and purposes, the winner Hauquier machine put him into a strong would have to come from these three. Jobe was back in seventh, a lap down position up front, but it was the charging Giesbers who was getting the attenand looking tired. PeterhanseJ, also a lap tion. behind, had moved to 11th, but it was Vialle, who held a solid fifth place five "I started slow and finally got the hang of the track," the Dutch sand speminutes behind, who looked to have the cialist said. "At first 1 was miles behind condition to make a small charge. the leaders, then suddenly 1 was in third It would not be enough, though, for place." the 1996 World 125cc motocross third . Luck would not be going his way, placer to pull in more than a minute a though, as first a broken exhaust lap at this time in the event would J?e brought him into the pits. nearly impossible. "1 ride as fast as 1 can and see what happens," he told the crew at the fuel stop. . If the battle for the top three places was heating up, then the crowd sensed it, with thousands coming from the surrounding bars and cafes. "Histoire de L'enduro du Touquet, Demester, Hauquier, I'arrives de pilotes," the announcer screamed out as the two entered the main straight section within sight of each other. Hauquier was signaling to his crew because they knew nothing of his problems with fuel. Then in a moment of brilliance, Demester pulled up alongside the leader and, holding the throttle open as the two entered the very tight clocked section, moved into first place. The crowd was now standing in amazement. Even Hauquier was sure he was a beaten man. "As soon as he passed me, I had to make an unexpected pit for fuel," he said. "I was sure I would finish second again." Demester was having his own troubles as his clutch started telling.him it was just about sick of the riding he had been giving it. . "I felt it sticking, but 1 continued on," Demester said. "I had only one lap to finish." Demester was not the only rider sitting by the side of the track. Giesbers, who had pulled into a winning position, also was out. "I was flat out on the main straight 'and the motor just went 'whoosh'," the Dutchman said. "I held onto the bike and saved mys~lf from crashing, but it was over. Under any other situation, I think I would have won here." With Giesbers out, it was now Demester's tum to sweat. "The bike just would not go," an emotional Demester complained. "I was thinking the race was finished for me, but Stephane and 1 got it gOing. Then, as 1 en tered the finish straight, there were riders everywhere. I pushed my way through just in time as Vialle was soon also at the finish." And what of Hauquier, his past three years bringing him only pity from Demester? "1 did not realize 1 was winning it," the victor declared. "It is a great feeling, of course. This is a big race for me. The pace was so fast and the sand so thick that I am not surprised Arnaud had trouble with his dutch, but I've had my . bad tales from the Le Touquet." In fact, the race nearly did not happen for the '97 winner. "As I picked my bike up from the parc ferme, I noticed the fuel had been leaking," he said. "1 headed back to the pits, and luckily the crew fixed it, but the loss of fuel really mixed up our fuel stop plans:: In an event like the Le Touquet, luck is a major player. For Hauquier, at least this year it played in his favor.. eN La Touquet Beach Race La Touquet, France Results: February 16 O/A: 1. David Hauquier (H,on); 2. Arnaud Demester (Yam); 3. Frederic ViaUe (Yam); 4. Charly Tonus (Hon); 5. Franck Ouflou (Hon); 6. Christian Burnham (Yam); 7. Vincent Canbie. (Hon); 8. Eric Aubijoux (Yam); 9. Georges Jobe (Hoo); 10. Stephane Peterhansel (Yam).

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