Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

performance in the 125cc GPs. Racing against the powerful KTMs, Seguy had won a round and finished fifth in the final points standings, but most figured the best choice for the tidddler division was U.S.-based Roncada, who had shown brilliance at last year's MXdN. "I wanted to prove I was the best 125cc rider in file world," Seguy said. "I might not have done that; however, the team proved we are the best team in the world. We came here with everyone saying we could not win, telling us we were not the best team. [YetI here we are on top of the podium. We all pulled together, and that made it easier to work together as a team, not as individuals." As for the powerhouse Belgian team, it was quite unlucky at Namur, although it did come close. New 500cc World Champion Stefan Everts (riding in the Open class) proved again that he is one of the top motocrossers in the world, showing unbelievable grace around the dangerous circuit and scoring a pair of (Below) Although Stefan Everts' perfect 1-1 day eamed him the Individual overall win, Belgium came up short in the all-lmportan1 team competition, once again finishing second. easy wins that nearly led his team to its 13th victory in the event. In addition, 125cc rider Steve Ramon finished a solid 10-8 in his two motos, good enough to win the tiddler division. The problem was Joel Smets, or more accurately his motorcycle, which suffered mechanical problems in both of his motos. "We have had so many good moments at the des Nations," Everts said. "Today was not our day, Joel only needed a couple of consistent results. He knows how to race these events, and it was just not to be this year. France was always going to be the team to beat. David, Yves and Luigi are good riders. I am not surprised they beat us - disappointed, but not surprised." Also a great 500cc rider, Smets was forced to race the 250cc class after Everts told team manager Joel Robert he wanted to contest the Open division. Smets' bike rolled to a stop on the final lap of the 125/250cc moto, and he had to pit twice in the second moto when his KTM lost its radiator cap. _ "I blew the bike up," Smets said. "I had a problem with my rear break on the first lap [of moto one]. I am not used to revving the bike, and I just did not feel comfortable on the bike. He Initially had reservations about rtdlng for the French Federation, but David Vuillemln eventually took an unfamiliar motorcycle to 3-4 moto finishes, helping eam France Its flrstever MX des Nations victory. My speed was good in the second moto. I knew on the 250 that I did not have the ambition to fight for the lead. I thought I could try and stay with David and Yves. Then [Vico] Garcia crashed, and I hit him. This is the worst moment in my career - I am shattered. I was really ready; this was a great challenge for me." Smets' score, which read 29-17, effectively ruined what was a probable win for the home team. The third-placed Kiwi squad had secured the services of former 500cc World Champion Shayne King, Josh Coppins and Daryl Hurley. The New Zealanders took the consistent approach, with Coppins going 6-4, King 7-11 and Hurley 25-19. The unluckiest team was that of Australia. The squad had been pegged by many as a potential darkhorse winner, as its trio of youngsters had a strong year (Chad Reed and Andrew McFarlane performed well in Europe, and Michael Byrne notched a top-10 finish in the EA Sports Supercross Series). That was all rendered moot right off the bat, as Byme went down in moto one and broke his wrist, while McFarlane gated terribly and could advance no higher than ninth. Reed proceeded to win the 125/250cc moto, while McFarlane led the 250cc/Open race for some time, but the loss of Byrne meant a cue I • podium team finish was out of the question. To make matter worse, Reed crashed out of the 250cc/Open race (while dicing for a top-five place in the second corner), and although he did remount and pass 20 riders in the first lap, he then crashed again and finished an eventual 16th. "We can't be too down," Reed said. "We finished one place higher than in 2000, and we had some terrible luck. We are a young team, and we can come back next year even better. This Namur track is so special; I don't think there's a track like it in the world, and we were able to give it a good shot." Byrne was emotionally shattered by his injury. The Honda rider had held third in the 125cc class when he his bike died, thrOWing him into the face of a double jump, putting him out of not only the des Nations, but some valuable testing time for the Amsoil/Dr. Martens/Journeys/Competition Accessories team and an important Australian Supercross. "I was riding okay," Byrne said. "I could see Ramon and Seguy up ahead, and was feeling fine. I had just n e _ S ' OCTOBER 10, 2001 29

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