Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

FIM World Championship Motocross S es Round 1 : Eurocircuit the going tough. Atsuta crashed out on lap six, breaking his femur, and McFarlane also crashed, dropping back to 20th. Pichon made a move on Bolley on lap 14 and took the lead - a lead which he never gave up, eventually winning by 12 seconds, with Beirer a further 20 seconds behind. The German Beirer was feeling good and confident, thanks in part to the performance of his suspension. "This track is so tough," he said. "It's one of the toughest GPs of the year. I felt good, although I got caught behind Coppins and Dobb for a while, and once past them, Bolley and Pichon were way ahead. Their pace was also too fast for me. Dobb was strong early, but then he seemed to get tired. I could pass him, but it was a hard fight to beat him." "I made a mistake in the middle of the race and decided to slow down," Bolley said. "When we came up to the lapped riders, it was very confusing and dangerous. I was very relaxed on the bike. I pushed hard, and Pichon could not keep with me - then he picked it up and passed me. At that moment, I made the mistake and slowed down. We had a lot of pressure today [with it] being the first race [on the new team). It's been a while since I've been on a podium." Pichon 'was happy with the win, considering that he didn't get to race much in the preseason, thanks to an injured finger. "I had pressure being the champion," Pichon said. "More than I imagined. It's really difficult coming with the number-one plate ...The track is too easy - long, fast straights. Bolley was really fast, and I knew he would be. He pushed really hard at one stage, and I got very worried and my shoulders got heavy. I saw him making mistakes, and then I pushed hard to pass him. After 15 or 20 minutes, I didn't think I could win-that race; then Bd'lIey maybe got tired or so"';ething." "I am not happy with my result," said fifth-place-finisher Coppins. "I have a lot of pain in my back, and I took some pain-killers. The problem was my backside went numb, and I kept on slipping off the seat - it was really weird. 1 know if I do some work on my back and come to round two in Spain, I can race with Pichon and Bolley." Crockard also found the deep sand difficult. Having finished third in last year's series, the Irishman was considered a threat for the title this year, yet he was only 10th midway through, and it was all he could do to make the top five. "After such a terrible start, I really struggled to get with the top riders," he said. "My aim was a podium today. I had no chance of [winning] after the first lap. I'm not too disap- 22 APRIL 3, 2002' cue I • pointed; I know I have to make improvements, and that's what I'll try and do over the next few weeks." 500cc GP When Bartolini grabbed the holeshot in the big-bore moto, it looked for a short while that we might see some type of surprise. The 1999 champ led for three laps on his CRF450R, but with names like Everts, Bervoets and Smets on the move, it was obvious that the Italian would soon succumb, and that's exactly what happened. Everts went by on lap four, followed by Smets a lap later and Bervoets a lap after that. By lap six of the 20-lap race, the three Belgians held the top three slots. The sight of the Grand Prix legends charging in close combat is always a special moment, but on lap 12, Smets too.k the lead and Everts began to find the pace a little too hot. Bervoets moved past the defending champ on lap 13, and Everts decided to play it safe. Smets went on to win with a 16-second lead over Bervoets and nearly a minute over Everts, who was not about to complain. "I knew I was not ready to win here," Everts said. "My speed was good early, but I didn't want to push too hard to keep in front of Smets. 1 was surprised that I could lead the race early. Once my arms started getting tired, I slowed and took a podium place, which was what I expected today. Sometimes I have to be happy with the points and not a win. I'm like a diesel motor - I have to warm up first, and then I get going." "After 15 or 20 minutes, I felt I could have won the race," Bervoets said. "I was faster than Smets on most of the track, although an area at the back of the track I was losing time on him, and that is were I lost the race. It's a good preparation for the second round. I'm disappointed, although second is okay for the championship. " Having won the final four GPs of 2001 and performed well in the preseason, Smets felt good about his chances coming into Holland, but although his win didn't exactly surprise him, a crash earlier in the week had tweaked his back and made him a little more nervous before the start than expected. "My doctor told me I might have some problems with the injury," Smets said. "I was not expecting too much here today. I was the only rider today who was quick around the complete track. I passed Stefan just coming into the back section of the track; I was able to dive under Everts and take the lead, which gave me a lot of confidence. I felt good all winter, so I feel good for the season. I still cannot run, due to my [groin] n • _ (Left) Tallon Yohland had a dltftcult . return to GP racing, .uff.rlng a poor start and ftni.hlng .Ixth In the 125cc injury from last year, but I am now riding my mountain bike, so that helps." eN EunlCln:u1t Vllk_anl, Hnllind llIsults: 111m 24, 2m [lIGund 1 of 121 125 QP: 1. Steve Rllmon (KTM); 2. Ben Townley (KTM); 3. Eric Eggens (KTM); 4. Brett Metcalfe (KTM); 5. Mickael Maschlo (Kaw); 6. Tallon Vohland (Kaw): 7. Patrick Caps (KTM); 8. Tyla Rattray (KTM); 9. Alex Puzar (Husky), 10. Remy Van Rees (KTM); 11. AntoIne Lettelier (KTM); 12. Marvin Van Daele (Yam), 13. Jeff Dement (Hon), 14. Philippe Dupasquier (KTM); 15. Rui Goncalves (Yllm). 250 GP: 1. Mickllel Pichon (Suz); 2. Frederic Bolley (Yllm); 3. Pit Beirer (Hon); 4. James Dobb (KTM); 5. Josh Coppins (Hon); 6. Juss! Vehvilainen (Hon); 7. Paul Cooper (Hon); 8. Kenneth Gundersen (Kaw); 9. Gordon Crockard (KTM); 10. Lauris Freiberg (Hon); 11. Mllrko Kovalllinen (Yam); 12. Johnny Aubert (YtJm); 13. Mllrc De Reuver (YtJm); 14. Alessio Chiodi (Yllm); 15. Andrew McFarlllne (Kaw). 500 GP: 1. Joel Smets (KTM); 2. Marnicq Bervoets (Yam); 3. Stefan Everts (Yam); 4. Andrea Bartolini (Hon); 5. Vico Garcia (KTM); 6. Joaklm Karlsson (Husa); 7. JOllquim Rodrigues (Vor); 8. Avo Leok (Hon); 9. Chris Burnham (Hon); 10. Mllts Nilsson (Hus); 11. Roman Jelen (Hon); 12. Andre Nilsson (KTM); 13. Oscar Vromans (Yam); 14. elMS. (Abov.llnten1 upon reg8lnlng hi. 500cc World tltl., Joel Sm.t. started of the season with a win. James Noble (Hen); 15. Miska Aaltonen (Hus). FIM WORLD C'SHIP 125cc MX SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 1 of 12 rounds): 1. Steve Ramon (25/1 win); 2. Ben Townley (22); 3. Eric Eggens (20), 4. Brett Metcalfe (18); 5. Mickael Maschio (16), 6. Tallon Vohland (15), 7. Patrick Caps (14); 8. Tyla Rattray (13), g. Alex Puzar (12); 10. Remy Van Rees (11); 11. Antoine Lettelier (10); 12. Marvin Van Daele (9); 13. Jerr Dement (8); 14. Philippe Dupllsquier (7); 15. Rui Gonclllves (6). FIM WORLD C'SHIP 250 MX SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 1 of 12 rounds): 1. Mlckael Pichon (25/1 win); 2. Frederic Bolley (22); 3. Pit Belrer (20); 4. James Dobb (18); 5. Josh Coppins (16),6. Jussi Vehvllainen (15): 7. Paul Cooper (14); 8. Kenneth Gundersen (13); 9. Gordon Crockard (12); 10.l.llurls Freiberg (11); 11. Marko Kovalainen (10),12. Johnny Aubert (9); 13. Marc De Reuver (8); 14. Alessio Chiodi (7); IS. Andrew McFarlane (6). FIM WORLD C'SHIP 500cc MX SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 1 of 12 rounds): 1. Joel Smets (25/1 win); 2. Marnicq Bervoets (22); 3. Stefan Everts (20); 4. Andrea Bartolini (18); 5. Vico Gerdll (16); 6. JOllkim Karlsson (15); 7. Jlluquim Rodgrigues (14); 8. Avo Leek (13); 9. Chris Bumham (12), 10. Mats Nilsson (11); 11. Roman Jelen (10); 12. Andre Nilsson (9); 13. Oscar Vromllns (8); 14. James Noble (7); 15. Miska Aaltonen (6). BRIEFLY••• Mickael Pichon had intended to race both the 125 and 250cc cia•••• in Holland, but after bike trouble in Saturday's 125cc practice. the 250cc World champ decided to sit out the smallbore class. Marc De Reuver did race both the 125cc and 250cc races. but a DNF kept him out of he points in the smaller class (he finished 13th in the 250cc race after a poor start!. Pichon will not contest a 125cc race for another couple of months. Several riders suffered major injuri•• at the Dutch Grand Prix. Yves Demaria had a huge crash in practice on Saturday. the Frenchman losing control over one of the big jumps at the back of the track and free-falling as his bike crashed to the ground. It was a sickening aCCident. which left the KTM factory rider with ligament damage in his left shoulder. Japanese rider Yoshi Atsuta looks Iikeiy to miss three months of racing after breaking his left femur. Riders getting the season .tarted with injuries included Eric Eggens (hand). Marc De Reuver (hand). Luigi Seguy (knee). Gordon Crockard (wristl. Joel Smets (back). and Josh Coppins (backl. The Eurocircuit was chang.d this year. with fewer corners, a shorter length and much smoother terrain. After each race. the jumps and other parts of the track were also graded to make for closer racing. While the top riders complained, Ihe racing was in fact very close in all of the classes. Australian Brett M.tcalfe impressed in only his third Grand Prix ever. The 17-year-old KTM rider is looking at racing in America in 2003, and if Chad Reed has his way. the Aussie teenager will not spend too many years awaiting a top team in USA. "He's very talented," Reed told Cycle News some weeks ago. "His strength is supercross. and he has a lot of natural talent." Metcalfe is under contrac.t to race for the KTM factory. although it is understood that he is not interested in doing another year in Europe. The n.w rae. ord.r was used for the first time at Valkenswaard. The 250cc class opened the day's action. followed by the 500cc class and then the 125cc class. Not too many complained about the system (which is designed to work better for television). although it did seem strange watching what many people consider to be the premier class (the 250cc division) racing at 11 am. .. 50

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