Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128140
Guidon d'Or Superrnotard The field for this year's Guidon d'Or was a little on the old side. Riders like Jean-Michel Bayle, Kurt Nicoll, Yves Demaria, Frederic BoIley, David Fretigne and Boris Chambon have been around motocross, enduro and road racing for many, many years, but despite the older field, the 19th running of the Guidon d'Or was anything but slow-paced. STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEOFF MEYER PARIS, FRANCE, JAN, 19 iminutive French rider Stephane Chambon knows a thing or two about the Guidon d'Or Supermotard event. The veteran Suzuki pilot and former World Supersports Champion has battled for victory in the most prestigious supermotard race since back in the late 1980s. In the past couple of years, though, a win in Paris has not been possible for Chambon: Last year a crash in the main event cost him, giving the victory to MX GP hero Frederic Bailey; two years ago, it was his brother, Boris Chambon, who took home the win. Stephane Chambon came into the 2002 Guidon with a serious face, and once the action was over, he held the trophy in his hand and a crown on his head. There was a moment, however, when it seemed a win was out of the question for Chambon. In the original main-event start, he crashed with his brother Boris and went down, and was only saved by a restart. "I was a little lucky this year," Chambon said. "Crashing early in the main event, then hurting my back, it's been tough. I knew if 1 got the drop out of the gate I could win here; it was just a matter of staying calm and holding my lines.· Ii) 28 FEBRUARY 6, 2002' eye QUALIFYING The event is run with two semifinals and a final, and the riders must first qualify to the semi-final via timed practice in the afternoon. The opening I e n e _ so semi was won by Stephane Chambon, with Bolley second and ISDE veteran David Fretigne in third place. It was just the start Chambon needed. "For my confidence, this is great,· Chambon said. "Bolley was really quick last year; I could not match him. This year, I think I can race for the win. It is so important to get a win in the semi; it places me on the front row of the main event, which is the only place to be.· Bolley, on the other hand, was glad just to make the top three. "I got a good start," Bailey said. "I led into the first lap, then I made a mistake in the dirt and tried the inside, but the outside was better. I also near- (Below left! Last year's winner, Frederic BoI1ev, showed up on a Yamaha this time and posted a thIrd-overall tInIsh behIncI tile Chambon bt others. (Below rightl Upset with tile race officials' decision to restart the race, crowd-favorite Jean-Michel Bayle finished fifth In the final. Iy crashed in the tunnel, hit a hay bale and then slowed down a little, The dirt is okay; it's like motocross dirt. I also like the road section. We have different suspension than in motocross, and that's something we are still working on. I am only here for fun - that's it, Michele [Rinaldi) told me to be careful, take it easy.• Back in 10th place was a disappointed Nicoll. The British Motocross des Nations team member crashed out, and was so far back in his heat that he failed to make the last chance qualifier. "It's a pity," Nicoll said. " I am riding the new KTM 450cc machine, so that was going to be interesting. I got a bad start and tried too hard to get through. I was sixth on the first lap and tried to get into fourth. I maybe went into the corner too hard, and the tires were not warm enough. Once