Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128095
with a faulty spark plug; the 1995, '96 and '98 Le Touquet winner held 241 st place after one lap of the event. Demeester ~id eventually clock the race's quickest lap, but another engine problem saw him drop out of the race. Jean Claude Mousse, the '99 winner, was also battling for the victory, holding a solid third place behind Bethys and Fretigne, but victory slipped away as he, too, dropped off of Bethys' brisk pace. Mousse was able to hold on to second place, just ahead of Belgian Thierry Klutz. For Bethys, victory was sweet. The self-supported rider is one of the most liked racers on the Motocross GP circuit, and his victory brought cheers from the huge crowd. "I did not like Le Touquet when I first came here," Bethys laughed. "I am starting to get a taste for it, though. It's very tough on your body; the course is so rutted out, and making up time is difficult. However, if you can get a bit of time over your competition, you can really settle into a good pace." Second-placed Mousse was sorry not to add to his victory total in the event, but he was quick to offer his congratulations to Bethys. "This race is tough," Mousse said. "Just about all the riders who have won here are beach-racing specialists. Thierry came here with not the same experience as most of us, and he learned it. He's proven he can win in any competition - Supercross, motocross and the beach races. n CN I.e TDuquet Buch IIIICe I.e TDUqUel, F.....ce Raub : Febl1lllry 18, 2001 1. Thierry Bethys (Han); 2. Jean Cleude Mousse Y8m); 3. Thierry Klutz (KTM); 4. DlIvid Fretigne Yam); 5. Yves Deudon (Yam); 6. Eric Aubijoux Hon); 7. Plerrlck Peget (Hon); 8. Repheel Lorlden Han); 9. Anthony Jahnichen (Yam); 10. Nicoles Deparrois (Yam). I [j)[j@\!lD®(}j]0 U®(}j](fJ(}j]@(1 I!lltJ[jj][jj]@rnB 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 Thierry Bethys Thierry Bethys Jean Claude Mousse Arnaud Demeester David Hauquier Arnaud Demeester Arnaud Demeester Jerome BelvaJ Gerard Delpine Vann Guedard Eric Geboers Eric Geboers Eric Geboers Leif Persson Kees Van Der Ven Kees Van Der Ven Kees Van Der Ven Kees Van Der Ven Kees Van Der Ven Jean-Paul Mingues Serge Bacou Hakan Carlqulst Patrick Drobecq Gilles Francru Daniel Pean Jacques Vernier 2 0 0 0 lVIotoGP !SOO Series Revie\N Official 3-Hour Review of the 2000 FIM Grand Prix series ("724) The name may have changed from Bike GP to MotoGP in 2000, but the racing was as exciting and entertaining as everl With 5-time World Champion Mick Doohan offICially retired, the podium was wide open. There were three hot favorites as the season got underway; Honda's defending '99 Champion Alex Criville, Yamaha's Italian star Max Biaggi, and Suzu~'s great American hope Kenny Roberts Jr. The caUber of riders competing in 2000 was tremendous and no one was discounting Loris Gapirossl or Valentino Rossi, two taiented riders makng the transition from the 250 series. Add in the white-hot form of Australian Garry McCoy and the stage was set for ~xteen rounds of awesome action and on-the-edge racing. History was made with two rounds stili to go, when the 27-year-old Kenny Roberts Jr. dinched the t~e and in the process became the first son to emuiate his father by winning the world 500cc Championship. This official three hour spectacular catches the drama, excitement and over·the-limii perlormance of the wonds best riders. Wilh muW-eamera coverage from every round and while-knuckle viewing from the on·bike cameros, this review is a must for every bike sport Ian. Are you ready for a wild one? 180 minuteslrom While StarlOuke VIdeo. cue I _ n __ s • MARCH 14,2001 41