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MOTOCROSS FlM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 250CC MX SERIES By Alex Hodgkinson Photo by Geoff Meyer TALAVERA, SPAlN, MAR. 29 rofessor Higgins was nowhere to be seen, but while Northern Europe basked in 70-degree sunshine, temperatures dipped to the mid50s at Talavera as rain really did fallon the plain of Spain. And three riders outpaced the rest, one of whom was defending champ Stefan Everts of Belgium. But first, German Pit Beirer showed tha t he in tends to carry on where he left off last year with a runaway in the first moto at Talavera. Then Frenchman Sebastien Tortelli had a tremendous second-moto ride, climbing from last to second after being trapped beltind the fallen German, Beirer, in the first turn of race two. But it was Honda's Stefan Everts who outpaced them all by starting his tiUe defense with the 34th GP win of his career. Racing seriously for the first time in a month was American Tallon Vohland, who scored a promising third overall. "My first race wasn't so good, and I crashed a few times," Vohland said. "I tried to ride smoother in race two. Third was good for me, because I haven't been able to train how I would have liked to after my shoulder injury at Beaucaire (last month). My condition is right about 80 percent at the moment, so I'm confident I can be up there by the end of the series as this (injury) improves." Beirer got to the first turn in front in race one, but only to see Frenchman Yves Demaria tear around the outside of him. The German, however, was quick to counter, and he grabbed the lead back and would keep it right down to the end. Along the way, Beirer risked it all after disposing of his goggles before half-distance, but things turned out well for the Honda rider. "I got dirt and wa ter between the film and the goggle, and it wouldn't clear," Beirer aid. Falls for Vohland (who was initially third) and Demaria promoted Everts to second and Tortelli to third., but neither offered a challenge to either Beirer or each other. On the podium, each said that they had been more interested in completing the race without mistakes, as continual drizzle made the track slippery. Thankfully, the rock-based track did not rut up as badly as it would have done in the pastures of Central Europe, though the ru ts were still deep enough by the end of racing. Rainfall ceased during the interval, but that only served to make the mud stickier. Luckily, the sun did not appear, or some of the hills might have become impassable. Nevertheless, falls were frequent and once again the race was more of a battle to avoid errors than to race the opposition. Beirer's hope of a repeat win vanished on the approach to turn one, as he ~ Round 1: Spanish GP failed to show the necessary respect for Vohland. The American was outside the German but was half a bike length in front, and Vohland does not back off for anyone. Beirer's front wheel tucked under and that was that. He persevered until halfdistance, when a further fall persuaded him to quit. Also affected were Tortelli, Demaria and Bervoets, all stuck behind the stricken Honda. Tortelli proved himself a genuine contender with a tremendous ride to second, albeit 80 seconds down on Everts. Bervoets got nd further than 13th, and Demaria - as is usual when he is faced with adversity - quit at nal( distance. Everts was commanding. He had eight seconds on Morris after a single lap and just kept going away. "The holeshot was very important in this race," Everts said. "Jt meant I was clean and could see the lines better. Jt was nice to win today, but it is just another GP win. The conditions were very unusual today, and the next race will be different. It is my aim to beat the six tiUes and 50 wins of Joel Robert. (A t pres en t, Everts has four tiUes and 34 GP wins.) I need such goals. If you don't have goals, you're going nowhere." Tortelli was not disappointed with second. "Jt was a ba·d first corner for my entire team, as Yves and I both got trapped behind Beirer," Tortelli said. "1 knew from the first race that my lap times were much better than most of the others', so I was confident I could pull back some places. I didn't set myself a goal. I just kept forcing and, in the end, I was second." . k Jt wasn't so much a race as I t was a battle of endurance, but the best man won. And two of his main rivals showed their pace, and the lone-wolf American proved he has grit and ability. Perhaps the next race won't be so different, after all. .~ Spanish 250cc GP Talavera, Spain Results: March 29, 1998 (After 1 of 16 rounds) MOTO 1: Pit BeiTer (Hon); 2 Stefan Everts (Hon); 3. Sebastien Tortelli (Kaw); 4. Yves Demaria (Kaw); 5. Marnicq Bervoets (Suz); 6. Justin Morris (Hon); 7. Tallon Vohland (Yam); 8. Jaimy Scevenels (Suz); 9. locke Karlsson (Hon); 10. Javier Garcia Vico (Yam); 11. Josh Coppins (Suz); 12. Leon Ciesbers (KTM); 13. Mark Eastwood (Hon); 14. Paul Cooper (Kaw); 15. Peter Iven (J<..w). MOTO 2: 1. Stefan Everts (Hon); 2. Sebastien Tortelli (Kaw); 3. Tallon Vohland (Yam); 4. Paul Cooper (Kawl; 5. Leon Giesber> (KTM); 6. Jock. Karlsson (Hon), 7. Jaimy Scevenels (Suz); 8. Justin Morris (Hon); 9. Javier Carcia Vico (Yam); 10. Josh Coppins (Suz); 11. Mic.k.ael Maschio (Yam); 12. Serge Guidetty (Hon); 13. Mamicq Bervoets (Suz); 14. Mark Eastwood (Hon); 15. Michael Kadlecek (Suz). O/A: 1. Stefan Everts (Hen); 2. Sebastien Tortelli (Kawl; 3. Tallon Vohland (Yam); 4. Pit Beirer (Hon); 5. Justin Morris (Hon); 6. locke Karlsson (Hon); 7. Jaimy Scevene1s (Suz); 8. Paul Cooper (Kaw); 9. Leon Giesbers (KTM); 10. Marnicq Bervoets (Suz). FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHTP 250" MX SERIES POlNT STANDINGS (After 1 of 16 rounds): 1. Stefan Everts (37); 2. Sebastien TortelJi (32); 3. Tallon VohJand (24); 4. Pit Beirer (20); 5. Justin Morris (18); 6. (TIE) Jock. Karlsson/Jaimy Scevenels (17); 8. (TIE) Paul Cooper/Leon Giesbers (15~; 10. Marnicq Bervoets (14).) Upcoming Rounds: Round 2 - Agueda, Portugal, April 5 Round 3 - Valkenswaard, Holland, April 19 Belgian Stefan Everts won the opening oJ round of the FIM World Championship MX Series in Spain. German Pit Beirer won the first moto, but Everts went 2-1 for the overall! Beirer did not flniah the second mota.