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International Motocross van het Fonteintje (Left) Leon Giesbers scored a perfect 1-1 moto tally to win the season opener for the second year in a row. (Above) Johan Boonen's big stroker assisted his great starts, but the Husqvarna pilot could' only muster third place when scores were tallied. (Below) Pit Beirer finished 10lh, using the cold race as a warmup for the 250Cc World MX Championship series. By Geoff Meyer 48 KOERSEL, BELGIUM, FEB, 7 n wet, white and windy conditions, the 1999 European motocross seasoI\ got under way in Koersel, Belgium, for the International Motocross van het Fonteintje, and just as he did in last year's race, Dutchman Leon Giesbers scored the win with a 1-1 tally, Giesbers, one of Team Suzuki's newest members, proved that he still has the knack to win, especially if the track is sandy, as is Koersel's, "I have a good team this year, and we can learn a lot today," Giesbers said before the ra,ce, "This heavy-sand track is to my liking, and I am now in a stronger frame of mind than last year, I am here to win for sure." Kawasaki team riders Marnicq Bervoets and Pit Beirer were among the other favorites going into the Koersel race. Bervoets, who left the Winfield Suzuki factory team for the new Winfield Kawasaki team, looked in dominating form in practice, but the same could not be said for Beirer. "I have to get organized with my new team," Beiter said, "I have to spend a lot of time preparing for my battle with Stefan (Everts)." A couple of notable riders who did not race were Stefan Everts and 500cc World Champion Joel Smets, Everts sat out the race with ;rn illness, and Smets is still recuperating from a broken arm, The racing got under way with Jahan Boonen jumping into the early lead in the first mota, but Geisbers was right behind him, Bervoets settled into third, while. Beiter rounded the first turn in seventh. It didn't take long for Geisbers to get around Boonen on the big Husqvarna four-stroke and take the lead, but Boonen continued to hold his own in second. Bervoets held his grip on third, 'while former World champ Jacky Martens moved threateningly into fourth, Geisbers, meanwhile, moved away from the three Belgians - Boonen, Bervoets and Martens - and looked to be in control of the race, Back in the pack, Beiter suddenly pulled off with a slipping clutch. Boonen and Bervoets engaged in an intense battle for second place, At one point, the two riders locked handlebars; then Bervoets finally got around Boonen at the halfway mark and set his sights on the leader, Giesbers, "I w.as feeling good," Bervoets said, "This new bike has really got some power, 1 know [ can ride fast on these sandy tracks, so it was just a matter of taking my time and reeling Leon (Giesbers) in." And Bervoets did just that. The new Kawasaki team rider chased down Giesbers but ran out of time. Late in the race, Bervoets was within striking distance of Giesbers, bu t the checkered 'flag came out before he was able to mount a serious challenge. Martens held on to finish a distant third, followed by Boonen, Between matos, the snow started falling, but it didn't seem to slow the Husqvarnas down, as Martens and Boonen led the pack into the first turn, Bervoets, however, quickly got around Martens and locked on to Boonen's rear fender, Geisbers gated sixth, Beirer 10th. Instead of climbing forward, Beiter slid backward in the field. "We need to work on the suspension and a few other things," Beirer said afterward. "This bike has so much power - a lot more than myoId Honda. II also handles better than the Honda, too, but I always struggle on these sand tracks." Bervoets eventually forged past Boonen and into the lead. Geisbers, meanwhile, quicldy moved up to third but struggled to get by Boonen. Lap after lap, Geisbers searched for a good line, which was difficult to find on the now-white ground. Suddenly, Geisbers found the hot lines and reeled in Bervoets. The two riders were soon banging bars in the white haze, and Geisbers finally found a way around Bervoets, At this point, the race was called, as it became impossible for the scorers to identify the riders, Geisbers had no complaint. "This is great," the winner said. "1 just took my time and rode as smooth as I could. When the snow started falling real:ly heavily, 1 just told myself, 'Take it easy.' In the end, 1 managed to squeeze by Marnicq for the win. II feels great." _ Koersel Motocross Park Koersel, Belgium Results: February 7, 1999 MOTO 1: 1~ Leon Geisbers (Suz); 2. Marnieq Bervoets (Kaw); 3. Jacky Martens (Hus); 4. Johan Boonen (Hus); 5. Peter lven (Kaw). MOTO 2: 1. Leon Geisbers (Suz); 2. Marnicq Bervoets (Kaw); 3. Johan Boonen (Hus); 4. Danny Tlleybers (Hbg); S. Peter Iven (Knw). O/A: 1. Leon Geisbers (Suz); 2. Mamicq Bcrvoets (Kaw); 3. Johan Boonen (Hus); 4. Peter lven (Kaw); 5. Marcel Van Drunen (Yam).