Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

(Left) Though he admitted doubt beforehand of his ability to do so, Italian Claudio Federici notched his first win of the season in the 250cc division, taking advantage of a great start and some strong riding. (Below) James Dobb celebrates his seventh win of the season in the 125cc division. He will likely take the title at the next round. shoulder-to-shoulder with somebody coming down the steep hills, it can be very scary." Ramon will move to the KTM team in 2002, and while he could be comfortable with third place in Switzerland, the pressure of next year is already on him. "I know Dobb has the quickest bikes," Ramon said." The Kawasakis, though, are also quick; I just got tight when Seguy and Gundersen were with me, and it was a difficult podium, as I had to fight for it. Running with the front riders is good experience. Now I have a good points gap from second to third in the championship; it's important that I remain in second place." 250 Just prior to the 250cc moto, Federici was asked if he could win his moto. He replied with a simple "No," with no idea how wrong he was. As the gate dropped, the Italian took the lead and never looked back, at one stage holding a 12-second lead over second place. It was one of those moments when a rider with amazing talents finally comes though. "Of course I wanted to win," Federici said. "I did not think I could; there are so many good riders, and I have struggled to make the podium the last few Grands Prix. I have practice tracks like this in Italy, but a practice track is easy - you are always alone. Today I had to beat many guys. My race was very good. I took the lead on the first corner, and my rhythm was straight-away very good. I had some pressure first from Pichon, then from Beirer, but they both crashed and I could ride my own race without getting nervous about who was behind me." Second-placed Crockard did it the hard way, coming from a long way back after another terrible start. The CAS Honda rider looked brilliant as he passed riders on a track that was high-speed and dangerous, and he even clocked the quickest time of the race on his way to the runner-up position. Had the Irish wonder gated better, he surely would have won the moto, as he pulled to within seconds of Federici as the checkered flag came out. "I was slow out of the start again," Crockard said. "It took me some time to get into the top five, and when I did, guys like [Pit] Beirer, [Yves] Demaria and [Chad] Reed were making it tough to get to Federici. I am a little disappointed with my race; had I been able to gate okay, I could have been the one standing on top of the podium." Reed again looked strong, and at one moment it even looked like the young Aussie would get to Federici. The fight with Beirer and Demaria, though, would represent his final surge. "This is one of the worst tracks I've seen," Reed said. "If I wanted to ride at this speed, I would have taken up road racing - it's way too fast and dangerous. I started a long way wide and tried to get the holeshot like I did in Namur last week; it didn't work out that way, though, and I got a little blocked by some guys. Once I got past Beirer and Demaria, I tried to make some ground on Federici, but then Crockard came onto me. I didn't even realize it was him. With a lap to go, he got past. Still, another podium in my first year is okay." As for series-leader Pichon, he had held second place early, only to crash on the third lap, dropping to 20th. The Frenchman then charged through the field, finally finishing his run in eighth place. "I just made a stupid error, pushing too hard," Pichon said. "I felt okay behind Federici. This track is quick, and I'm just glad I did not hurt myself. I did my best to get some points back, and I guess eighth place is okay." Sure enough, Everts had not gated as well as hoped and was stuck behind the rebuilding Bartolini and German rider Bernd Eckenbach for the first few laps, eventually passing Eckenbach on lap four and the Italian on lap five. Bervoets, though, was long-gone. "I take my hat off to Marnicq [Bervoets]," Everts said. "He's never been a quitter, and today he proved something to himself and to many others. 1 didn't get the jump I would have liked; in fact, I nearly crashed in the first turn. Somebody pushed me wide, and I ran off the track; it was a very scary moment. Eckenbach and Bartolini made it tough to pass. I didn't want to take too many chances on this track - it's so quick coming off those downhills." The biggest surprises in the 500cc race came from veteran Bartolini, who had returned from injury just a week earlier in Namur. The little Italian held third place for most of the 500 In one of his best performances ever, Bervoets gated like a jackrabbit and showed the best 500cc riders in the World how to race on a hardpacked, fast track. Bervoets was untouchable, taking the victory by six seconds over teammate and countryman Everts, with Lindhe a further second back. In victory, Bervoets once again showed why he continues to be considered a strong talent in Grand Prix motocross. "I felt I could win here," Bervoets said. "I have always been quick on this track, winning here in the mud in last year's championship; high speeds and rock-hard tracks seems to appeal to me. I was able to get a nice lead over Stefan, and I think he was having trouble with [Andrea] Bartolini, which helped my race." cue I e n e _ so • AUGUST 22, 2001 15

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