FIM World Championship Motocross Series
Round 8: Circuit de la Citadelle
500cc moto, the 29-year-old bounded away from his rivals and left no
question about who is the best
motocrosser in Europe (and possibly
the world). As Everts circled the
treacherous circuit for the last lap of
the Grand Prix, his many supporters
made their way to the podium.
Among the group was Robert, the
one man who has given Everts the
motivation to continue in one of the
toughest motocross series in the
world. Eric Geboers, a five-time
World Motocross Champion himself,
and the only rider to ever win World
titles in the 125, 250 and 500cc divisions (Everts will likely become the
second shortly), was also in attendance, making Everts' historic
achievement all the more satisfying ..
"In Saturday's qualification, I was
really nervous,« Everts said. "So
much pressure, and I could not think.
I took a ride around the track on Saturday night and checked out the
lines, and more or less got my head
together. Come Sunday morning, I
was ready to race."
The win was something of which
Everts had dreamt, and although
you'd think the sight of the younger
hero crossing the finish line would be
difficult for Robert, he claimed it was
actually something special.
"I was on my way to Australia for a
motocross race," Robert recalled.
"Harry Everts called me and told me
(Leftjln winning his 50th GP, Stefan
Everts moved into a tie with Joel
Robert for career MX GP wins. Everts
will likely become the second rider
ever to win a title In all three classes.
(Below) The 500cc moto gets
underway, with Mamicq Bervoets (2),
Stefan Everts (72), Vico Francisco
Garcia (17) and Joel Smets (1)
launching from the gate.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEOFF MEYER
NAMOR, BELGlOM, AOG. 5
o back to 1972, when Joel
Robert stamped his place in
Grand Prix Motocross history, taking
his 50th World Championship overall
victory at the Russian GP, setting a
record that many thought would
never be beaten. Six months after
that win in Russia, a baby boy was
born. His name was Stefan Everts,
and his entrance into the world
marked a new era in GP motocross.
Cut to 2001, some 29 years later.
Now a four-time World Champion
(and likely just weeks from adding to
that number), Everts has taken his
50th GP win, and is now just one step
away from being the most successful
Grand Prix winner of all time.
Under gloomy skies, and on the
legendary Citadel circuit of his home
nation, the Rinaldi Yamaha rider once
again turned in the performance of a
champion. Taking an early lead in the
G
10
AUGUST 15,
2001 •
cue
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