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FIM World Motocross Championship Motocross Series Round 10: Circuit de Roggenburg STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEOFF MEYER ROGGENBURG, SWITZERLAND, AUG. 12 he wait for a new World Motocross Champion to be crowned was extended a week, as some surprises occurred at the Grand Prix of Switzerland last weekend. The points leaders had to win by significant margins over their rivals in order to secure their titles, but in two of the three classes, riders who had not yet won this season ended up climbing to the top step of the podium. While the season has been dominated by Roggenburg 125cc victor Jamie Dobb, 250 and 500cc leaders Mickael Pichon and Stefan Everts, respectively, came up short on the high-speed Swiss circuit. The two winners who put a hold on the dominance of the series were Italian Claudio Federici (250cc) and Belgian Marnicq Bervoets (500cc). which means Pichon and Everts will have to wait before receiving their crowns. Federici's win came over Irishman Gordon Crockard and Australian Chad Reed, while Bervoets' was ahead of Everts and Swede Johnny Lindhe. Brit Dobb took his KTM to his eighth 125cc victory of the year, extending his lead to 87 points over Steve Ramon. The other podium finishers in that class were Luigi Seguy and Steve Ramon. With four Grands Prix remaining (representing a maximum of 100 points to anyone rider), it still seems certain that the trio of Dobb, Pichon and Everts will eventually take this year's championships. Dobb's advantage should see him crowned in Germany in one week, while Pichon has a 71-point lead of over Crockard, and Everts has a 62-point buffer on defending 500cc champ Joel Smets in the Open class. If both Dobb and Pichon win in Germany, then their championships are won, while the likely scenario for Everts is to pick up his fifth World title at the Dutch GP on September 2. T 125 What can be said about Jamie Dobb? The British veteran once again showed why he has been the favorite for this year in the 125cc championship since the first round in Spain some five months ago. After a topfive start, Dobb forced his way past Norwegian Kenneth Gundersen and took off. "The championship is nearly over," Dobb said. "I still want to show that I am the guy. Kenneth [Gunderson] had won two of the last three GPs, and I didn't want to let him win here. I was a little nervous early, as he was doing quick laps, and I wasn't sure I could get to him before he took off. In the end, I could pass some guys, and then he was easy to pass. I've added up the top five scores of 14 AUGUST 22, 2001 • cue • e [Steve] Ramon this year, and it only came to 85 points; with four rounds remaining and a lead of 87 points, I'm looking at wrapping it up next week in Germany." As Dobb stamped his authority on the race, Gundersen fought for second place in a battle with Frenchman Luigi Seguy and Belgian Steve Ramon. Gundersen, a winner in Sweden and • n • _ s France, had no answer for the duo, who passed the Norwegian mid-race and then commenced a fight of their own. Seguy eventually got second place, while Ramon had to be content with third place. Seguy, who recently was picked as the 125cc rider for the French Motocross des Nations team, showed why his home Federation has confidence in him. "I am so motivated at the moment," Seguy said. "On Friday, I was told I would ride for my country in the des Nations. My confidence is very good at the moment. This race was tough for me; we just locked ourselves together and fought. I don't know if I have ridden in such a hard race this year. The speed on this track is so fast, and when you're