Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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FIM World Championship Motocross Series Round 2: Circuit de Catslunya BRIEFLY • • • Budds Creek (Maryland) promoter Jonathon Beasley attended the Spanish GP. The former promoter of three Grands Prix. and one of the few promoters in America who is really interested in the Worid Motocross Championship, says he is disappointed with Competition Park, in Califor· nia, getting the 2002 Motocross des Nations. 'I ran the 1999 World 250cc Motocross Grand Prix with the deal that I would get the des Nations if it ever came to America. I had been told by the AMA that I could not deal direct with Doma about the des Nations and then Ccmpetition Park did just that. Of course. they didn't have anything to lose by contacting Doma and I did. I hope them all the luck in the world and I hope the event takes off. I will say, though, that I wanted so much to do that race and felt I put in the effort with that '99 GP. There is just not loyalty any· more." But what about hosting another GP round at Budds Creek? 'I could not afford to do that again,' Beasley said. "I can't payout all that money with the hope that it might be another poor crowd. American people are just not into the Grand Prix scene. Also, the date in September, which is available for the GP. does not fit into Budds Creek's plans. At the start of every year. all the tracks within a few hundred miles of each other get together and plan out races. I know that same weekend we have amateur races in Maryland, and I am not going to take people away from a local track to run a Grand Prix. No way.• On the Motocross des Nations, Wolfgang Srb of the FIM stated that he would be going to Competition Park in two weeks to talk about the track and other matters concerning the 2002 event. "I am confident that the American people will back this event, - Srb said. "I understand that there is no track: however, the Americans are known for making great tracks, so I expect the circuit on September 29 to be very good." Srb also mentioned that if the 2002 des Nations works out. then the Competition Park facility will hold a round of the World Motocross Champi· onships in 2003. "That would be the sensible thing to do," Srb said. "If they can do the des Nations and everything works out okay, they will also run some Grands Prix. ' American Jim Pomeroy was in Bellpuig. Pomeroy was the first American to win a Motocross Grand Prix, which happened in Spain back in the 1970s. Pomeroy did a parade lap prior to the day's action. Trampas Parker missed out on racing on Sunday after finishing fifth in the last-ehance qualifi· er on Saturday. Also in Bellpuig was Robbie Skaggs, but he also failed to make Sunday's program after disappointing results on Saturday. Joel Smets was asked about the chances of becoming the greatest Grand Prix winner of all time. The tall Belgian is now on 44 GP victories, which is only six away from Joel Robert and Stefan Everts' tally of 50 wins. "I don't even think about it.' Smets said. "Although, if that hap" pens this year, then I am very happy. I have always respected Robert and Everts as great riders and to be matched with those guys would be great. " Joel Smets was seen arguing with a track marshal on Sunday morning. The KTM factory rider is making a habit of causing stress to the Doma·backed events. "I was walking on the track during the 250cc GP and a marshal grabbed me by the arm. When you grab Joel Smets by the arm. it had better be in fun, and that was not his intention. I am trying to do my job, looking at lines or whatever, and they mess around with me. The track officials get a briefing in the morning of the race and they know the guys with a blue pass are riders and are allowed on the track. ' The Bellpuig track caused many problems for the riders because of the many ruts caused by heavy rain the week prior to the GP. Many riders suffered arm pump, and the sudden change in temperature and the nature of the high·speed, bumpy track saw many riders fatigue during the motos. American Tallon Yohland was sidelined on the second lap by a broken spark plug. was also with time to spare, 12 second ahead of 1999 World 500cc Champion Andrea Bartolini. The third-place battle between Bartolini and Bervoets held some interest in the first laps of the race, although in the end, Bartolini pulled well away from Bervoets, with 30 seconds separating those two veterans. In a class which could see either Smets or Everts make history (Smets by winning his fifth World 500cc Champi, onship, or Everts by taking his sixth World Motocross Championship) this is becoming the sleeping giant of the World Motocross Championship. Smets, though, was not expecting to take it easy over the next few months. The four-time World champ knows Everts is a fighter. "He will win some Grands Prix,' Smets said. "I don't expect to win all of them. I felt good today and I know Stefan is still having trouble with his arms. I just have to concentrate on not making mistakes and showing 20 APRIL 24, 2002' cue I him that I am better prepared than last year.' As for Everts, when he crossed the finish line he looked over to his father, Harry, with a look of confusion. When their eyes met, you could see the frustration in the younger Everts' eyes, as he knows Smets is stronger and that he has to pick up his speed or the championship will slip away. "He was just too quick today: Everts said. "I gave it everything I had in the early going and I had nothing left when the race finished. In those last few laps, I had to slow or I could have crashed. My arms were not too bad today. I just have to work harder and maybe take some rest. I have ridden every weekend since February and I need to look at the sit, uation. It's a long championship and • n • VV S if I think about 1991 when' won my first World Championship, I was a long way behind Donny Schmit on the championship and could come back to win. He was much stronger than me early in that season. I can do that again this year for sure: Bartolini, the comeback man of World Motocross, was happy with third place, although a win is not in his head. "I can't race with Smets and Everts,' Bartolini said. "' know they are much stronger than me this year. I have a great chance of taking some holeshot with the Honda; this bike is new and we are always doing new things to it. I have to be patient and maybe something will change when we reach the middle stage of the season, at this moment though, third place is the best I can do.' eN Circuit d. Cdaluny. IIlIpull, Sp.ln lIIsults: April 15, 2002 [Round 2 af 121 125 GP: 1. Mickoel Moschio (Kow): 2, Phillipe Duposquler (KTM): 3. Erik Eggens (KTM): 4. Luigi Seguy (Yom): 5. Alex Puzor (Husky); 6. Potrick Cops (KTM); 7. Ben Townley (KTM); 8. Jeff Dement (Hon): 9. Antoine Lettelier (KTM): 10. Tylo Rottroy (KTM); I I. More De Reuver (Yom); 12. Kevin StrlJbos (Suz); 13. Erik Cormelengo (Hon): 14. Morvin Von Doele (Yom): 15. Tonel Look (KTM) 250 GP: 1. Micka!!1 Pichon (Suz); 2. Alessio Chiodi (Yam); 3. Frederic Bolley (Yam): 4. Kenneth Gundersen (KllW); 5. Josh Coppins (Hon); 6. Paul Cooper (Hon); 7. Jussi Vehvilainen (Hon); 8. Johnny Aubert (Vern); 9. Pit Belrer (Hon); 10. Carl Nunn (Husky); 11. Leuris Freiberg (Hon): 12. Marko Kovelainen (TM); 13. Andrew McFarlane (KllW); 14. Collin Dugmore KTM): 15. Christlon Beggi (Hon). 500 GP: I. Joel Smets (KTM); 2. Stefon Everts (Yllm); 3. Andree Bertolini (Hon); 4. Marnicq Bervoels (Yam); 5. Vico Gercie (KTM); 6. Cedric Melotte (Y8m); 7. Avo Leak (Hon); 8. Thierry Bethys (Hon) 9. Miska Aaltonen (Hus); 10. Fabrizio Dini (Vern); 11. Alessandro Belomelti (Vor): 12. Alessandro Zanni (Hon); 13. ROmlln Jelen (Hon); 14. Chris Bumhom (Hon); 15. Jomes Noble (Hon). AM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 125cc I'IX SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 2 of 12 rounds): 1. Mickeel Moschio (41/lwin): 2. Erik Eggens (40): 3. Ben Townley (36); 4. Phillipe Duposquler (29): 5. Potrick Cops (29): 6. Alex Puzor (28): 7. Steve Romon (25/1): 8. Tylo Rottroy (24); 9. Antoine Lettelier (22); 10. Jeff Dement (21); II. Brett Meteolfe (20); 12. Luigi Seguy (20); 13. Morvin Von Doele (16); 14. Tollon Vohlond (15); 15. Remy Von Roes (11). AM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 250ce I'IX SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 2 of 12 rounds): 1. Mickoel Pichon (50/2wlns); 2. Frederi<: Bolley (42); 3. Pit Belrer (32); 4. Jcsh Coppins (32); 5. Kenneth Gundersen (31); 6. Alessio Chlodi 29); 7. Jussi VehvillJinen (29); 8. Paul Cooper (29); 9. Johnny Aubert (22); 10. Laurls Freiberg (21): 11. MZlrko Kovoloinen (19); 12. Jomes Dobb (18); 13. Cori Nunn (16); 14. Andrew McForlone (14): 15. Gordon Crockord (12), AM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 500ce I'IX SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 2 of 12 round.): 1. Joel Smets (50/2 wins); 2. Stefan Everts (42); 3. Mornlcq Bervoets (40): 4. Andreo Bortollnl (38): 5. Vico Gorcio (32); 6. Avo Leok (27); 7. Chris Burnham (19); 8. Miske Aeltonen (18); 9. Roman Jelen (18); 10. Fobrizio Dini (16): 11. Jooklm Karlsson (15); 12. Cedric Melotte (15); 13. Joequim Rodrigues (14): 15. Thierry Bethys (13) Upcoming Rounds; AolnI3, TlUsd .... a, ~Aplt2ll Round 4 - Sl Jean-d'Angely, France, May 12