Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

FIM Motocross des Nations Circuit of Citadelle Narn r passed two guys, and as I came to a downhill, the bike died. I tried to save it, but hit the face of the double and landed on my wrists, and I knew straight away I had broken my wrist. I'm disappointed for the team; I heard in the hospital that Chad had won the second moto, which just made it worse," The event was of course not attended by the defending champion squad from the United States, which pulled out shortly after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Many had understandably assumed that this would render the race insignificant, but while the Americans were missed (the tragedy was on the minds and lips of many in attendance), most went away satisfied that it was still a legitimate and enjoyable Motocross des Nations. 12S/0PEN Everts wasted little time in making his way to the front of the pack in the day's opening moto. The Rinaldi Yamaha rider held a good lead over South African Collin Dugmore, Garcia, Swede Johnny Lindhe and Demaria as the first lap closed down. "I knew straight away I could win," Everts said. " I have always liked the Namur track, having won the last GP here in August and the Grand Prix back a couple of years ago. Once I had a good start, I could just take my time and not try anything too dangerous." While Everts was leading the Open class, his countryman Ramon was enjoying some success in the 125cc division. "My start was okay," Ramon said. "I was inside the top 20 in the first lap and could just pick riders off. By half race distance, I was in 11 th place, and most of the top 500cc riders were ahead of me. I was able to get into 10th place; however, the next rider was Andrew McFarlane, and he was just a little too far ahead in the end." Seguy was in all sorts of trouble early in the moto; as the first-lap board came out, the Frenchman was in 24th place, though he eventually climbed to 13th. "I did not have a good start," Seguy said. "I could see up ahead that Ramon had many riders between himself and me, and I could just ride to the best of my ability." Byrne had made his way up to 22nd place and was the third 125cc rider on the track when he crashed out, breaking his wrist. With a handy lead over secondplaced Dugmore, Everts cruised the last laps of the opening moto, finish- Andrew McFarlane 121) and his fellow Australians came just short of making the podium, despite Michael Byrne's breaking a wrist in the first molo. Here, McFarlane leads Finn Jussi-Pekka Vehvllainen 123), Italian Claudio Federici 15), Swede Johnny Lindhe 180), Portuguese Joaquim Rodrigues 141) and Belgian Stefan Everts 19). ing 12 seconds up, with Garcia another second back in third. Completing the top five were Lindhe and Demaria, the latter rider having come from a long way back after a poor start. After one moto, Belgium led with 11 points, followed by France and Spain on 18 each, Sweden with 24, and England on 26. 12S/2SQcc German Pit Beirer bolted out of the start and looked a good bet to win the second race of the day. Reed closed in fast, though, and on lap four he passed the Free Time Yamaha rider on a tricky double jump in the woods. "I knew it was a place I felt comfortable: Reed said. "There is no place like this in the world, and making passes is very difficult - you really have to pick your places. The jump was the same place Michael [Byrne] had crashed, so it was good to make something of that jump. Once I got into the lead, it was an easy race. I can't believe this is the Motocross des Nations, and it's probably one of the easiest races I've ever had." "I got a really good roll at the start," Beirer said. "Chad was onto me pretty quickly, and when he passed me I could see he had found some good lines. I just tried to keep my own race rhythm and think about the team. A second place put us in a . good position." Vuillemin had come up from a long way back, and despite making third place, he was never a threat to the two lead riders. "Reed and Beirer were fast early: Vuillemin said. "I was in around 10th place on the first lap, and it's a tough track to get going. My start was not good; it's difficult, as the soil is so different to what we use in America, and maybe I got some wheel spin. I really wanted a consistent result - it's important to be careful on this track. Once I got into third, the other two were long gone, and I slowed up for a podium place." In fourth place was Coppins, followed by Jussi Vehvilainen, Carl !Above) Frenchman Luigi Seguy 152) chases Kiwi Daryl Hurtey on the technical Namur track. Both countries made the podium, with France winning and New Zealand taking an Impressive third. Nunn, Mark De Reuver, Ramon and Joakim Rodrigues, with Lauris Freiberg taking 10th place. While holding down 10th place with half a lap remaining, Smets' bike rolled to a stop. As the Belgian crowd swarmed in on the four-time World Champion, the KTM rider broke down and cried, knowing that his team was now in real trouble. "What can you do when you're stuck, on a track like this?" Smets said. "I could not push it up the hill; I only 'had maybe 500 feet [remaining], and I was finished. Instead, I walked back to the pits." The mishap dropped Belgium out of the top spot, which went to France. 2SO/SOOcc The final moto is always muchanticipated at the MX des Nations, and that was especially true this time. As the gate dropped, everyone had their eyes on the duel between Everts and Reed, but it never materialized. With a clean first corner, Everts held second place behind McFarlane, with Reed back in seventh and then crashing in turn two, dropping him back to last place. That crash also nearly cost France the victory, as Demaria rode over the top of the fallen Aussie, hitting the fence and cutting back onto the track. Beirer sat in third place behind McFarlane and Everts, with Lindhe in fourth and Coppins fifth. Demaria and Smets were in a battle for 10th place. For two laps, Everts played the waiting game, sitting behind the Aussie, then - like a lion attacking his prey - he pulled up to McFarlane and passed, taking the lead and moving away. The Australian did his best to stay with Everts, but more hungry lions were coming. First Beirer passed McFarlane, then Demaria, Vuillemin, Vehvilainen, Coppins, and finally Crockard.

• Cover