Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

for me, but he is still a long way ahead in the championship. I don't think he can lose it from here, and I would have to be very lucky to win. Still, the championship is not over, and I have a chance." There's no such hope for 125cc racer Erikk Eggens, who enjoyed victory at his home GP, even if the title had already been clinched by fellow KTM rider James Dobb. Eggens was second in the points chase two months ago and looking like a real possibility for the crown when Dobb injured his shoulder at the Swedish GP, but he didn't score a single point in the four GPs that followed. His performance in Lierop was helpful in making up for his recent points slide. "It's not been easy: Eggens said. "I let the pressure get to me. When Jamie got injured, everyone told me I had a chance for the championship. 1 had never in my life been in that situation, so I did not handle it very well. Now I'm back to my best, and I'm glad to win for my team who stood by me while I was not going so well." As for Dobb, the British veteran failed to race in Holland, a severe back pain forcing him to miss his first race as World Champion. "I had a Stefan Everts removes his helmet lifter his bike quit in the 500cc moto, effec:tlvely postponing the title he hopes to sew up over the final two rounds. Though the 500cc title is allbut out of reach, defending champ .Ioel Smets delayed the inevitable one more round by posting his fourth GP victory of the season. problem with my neck on Friday," Dobb told. "I went to see the doctor and get my neck checked. When he started giving me a massage, the neck cracked, and my back went into a spasm. I really had severe pain, and it seems he pinched a nerve. I am disappointed, as I had worked hard in Belgium and Holland the last two weeks to prepare for this race. I also wanted to prove that I am the World Champion." Second place went to Eggens' Champ KTM teammate Kenneth Gundersen, from Norway, while Dutch work my way past some riders. I made a start around eighth place, I got up to sixth, then my arms started to cramp. I knew at that point that I would have to be happy with third place." The new 125cc European Motocross Champion, Kevin Strijbos, made a great race in the Dutch sand, finishing in sixth place. The 16-year-old, who beat American James Stewart at the World Junior Championship in GaiJdorf, Germany, two years ago, is beginning to show some impressive form. "My start was okay: Strijbos said. "Then another rider crashed into me, and that messed me up. I was thinking a little that I could win today. I am feeling better at each GP, and I am really keen to show that I can race on all tracks - not just in the sand." Yamaha rider Mark De Reuver was third. 12Scc GRAND PRIX Having shown in his qualification race on Saturday that he was the quickest rider on the track, Eggens gave little indication that he would not stand at the top of the podium in the 125cc GP. Taking the lead at the first corner, Eggens held the lead position from the first lap until the last. "I was nervous coming into this race: Eggens said. "My results had been so bad, and I expected to do good at my home GP. We used a new tire setting, and that worked great. I knew after Saturday, though, that I could do good here. It's my type of track, and not many riders can ride the sand like we Dutchmen." Second place early was Gundersen, while a bunch of Belgian and Dutch sand specialists filled the other top 10 places. Tanel Leok, the 16year-old Estonian rider, held third place, followed by Dutchman Mark . De Reuver, Belgians Steve Ramon and Sven Breugelmans, and another Dutchman Heikki Van Den Berg. Gundersen had some idea what was ahead, yet tried to stay positive until the end. "You always want to think you can catch and pass the guy in front," Gundersen said. "Today, though, that thought left my head rather early. Erik was just too quick - he made a gap on me, and there was no way I could pull it back, as much as I tried. I also twisted my ankle in qualification, and today it was a little stiff. It didn't bother me during the race, though." Third placed De Reuver had fought back from a bad start, and although he knew he could attain a top-three place, he was also aware that a win was not going to happen. "I had some idea I could win today," De Reuver said. "However, that was quickly out of the question after my start. I had to cue •• n 250cc GRAND PRIX When Pichon pounced out of the start and followed surprise leader Collin Dugmore around the first lap, it looked for sure that the champ would take yet another victory in this year's series, and with Corona Suzuki teammate Josh Coppins taking down Irishman Gordon Crockard in the third corner, Pichon's chances seemed even better. Enter Reed. The factory De Groot Kawasaki rider, who had raced hard with Pichon in Namur and Germany, once again proved his talent is huge. From the second lap until the last, Pichon and Reed went at it. First, it was the Frenchman who held the upper hand, then on lap nine the Aussie took command. Unlike in previous races, though, the youngster never gave Pichon another look at the lead, taking the win by one second and showing his future American team (Yamaha of Troy) that its money may be well-spent. "I came around the third corner and saw Coppins on the ground," Reed said. "I thought it was Pichon, and I could go and win this race. Then in the first lap, Pichon flew by me, and I figured he must have got• _ 'IS • SEPTEMBER 12.2001 73

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