Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

FIM World Championship Motocross Series Round 3: Talkessel Circuit STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEOFF MEYER TEQTSCHENTHAL, GERMANY, APR 26-27 n the super-fast Talkessel circuit in the former Eastern block village of Teutschenthal, Stefan Everts returned to the top step of the podium of a World Motocross Grand Prix. The victory in the 500cc Grand Prix of Europe gave the Belgian legend his 51st GP win, making Everts the winningest Grand Prix rider of all time. The big 51 has been a long time coming, however, after he had earned win number 50 in front of his home crowd in Namur back in August of 2001. Since that day at the Citadel Circuit, Everts has seen fellow Belgian Joel Smets dominate the Open-class races. Smets won the last four GPs of 2001, and then followed those wins with wins in the opening two rounds this year. Even though Everts won the 2001 World 500cc Championship, many still felt that Smets was the rider to beat in '02. Still, great riders have a way to bring something special to the table when it counts, and Everts knew after being beaten in Spain two weeks ago that it was time to perform. "I was so motivated to win in Spain," Everts said. "I felt good and then Joel still won. I was broken after that race and knew I had to make a move now or never. I could not let him get more momentum.» Everts was, of course, also emotional about Winning his 51 st Grand Prix. "It's one of the records I looked at when I first started racing," Everts said. "It's something I will always remember - my win in Talkessel - I am so proud to beat the record of Joel Robert, he took that record when I was not even born and held it for more than 30 years." While Everts might have stopped the Smets freight train, he did so when the series leader was not 100 percent. Smets finished the weekend in pain after crashing hard during Saturday's qualification. He rode Sunday's GP with the aid of pain killers for a sore shoulder, and the four-time World 500cc Motocross Champion could only manage sixth place. As a result, Smets lost his championship lead and, more importantly, the mental advantage he had over Everts. "I came down hard on my shoulder," Smets said. "I had great pain throughout the race and was lucky to get sixth place, considering the way I felt. I will regroup and return to France in two weeks and try and correct what has happened this weekend." In the other two classes, the action was again intense. Norway's Kenneth Gundersen topped the 250cc race after, first, Mickael Pichon and Frederic Bolley crashed in a first corner accident, then, with one lap remain- @ 20 MAY 8, 2002' cue I • ing, James Dobb threw away sure victory, as he dropped his machine in a turn with only half a lap remaining. Gundersen eventually took the win over Josh Coppins and Pit Beirer. The 125cc class was again the best race of the day, as Patrick Caps finished ahead of Mickael Maschio and Phillipe Dupasquier to win a thrilling race. First up, New Zealand's teenager Ben Townley and Spanish GP winner Maschio climbed all over each other and, at one point, even collided. As Townley began to slow, Caps and Dupasquier came onto the scene. At one stage, all four locked in one of the best 125cc GP races ever seen. 125cc GP The 125cc class has long been the savior of the Grand Prix weekends. If the Open class and 250cc class produced less-than-sensational racing, one could always count on the smallbore class to liven things up. This time was no different, as Mickael Maschio bolted out of the start and led the riders into the first lap. Behind him followed some fresh new talent, as well as some more familiar names. Patrick Caps, who was dumped by the KTM factory two years ago, is back on KTM machinery and held second place just ahead of 17-year-old Ben n D _ :IS Townley, KTM factory pilot Steve Ramon, former World Motocross Champion Alex Puzar, veteran Phillipe Dupasquier, 16-year-old Tanel Leok, and 17-year-old riders Tyla Rattray, Wyatt Avis and Brett Metcalfe. Maschio was determined to not let Townley get the better of him. "We changed lead several times,» Maschio said. "I didn't want to be beaten by a kid; he was riding very aggressively, changing lines often. I attacked him straight away to regain the lead.» While Maschio had pushed hard enough on lap seven to get rid of Townley, both Caps and Dupasquier then set him a challenge, with Caps taking the lead on lap eight and, from there, never looking back. Caps won with three seconds to spare ahead of Maschio and Dupasquier. Afterward, Caps said he needed to change some things and, with the help of a new team, returned to the podium in the 125cc class. "I lost some motivation in 2000," Caps said. "Too much pressure; and I could not do what I can. I am now more comfortable with the team and today proved I am still capable of winning GPs. The pace of this race was so exciting, and watching Townley and Maschio together in those first five or six laps was really amazing." Maschio was impressed with the power of his Kawasaki, something last year's Kawasaki rider (Steve Ramon) complained about. He was, however, disappointed not to add to his round-two victory in Spain. "I am very happy," Maschio said. "The team has done a great job setting up the bike, I only wish I could have repeated the win that I had in Spain here today. J was very confident that I could win again. Caps was riding very fast, but I think the Kawasaki is as good, if not better than the KTM; everyone accuses my bike of being slow - again, I showed that they are wrong. I had trouble with my goggles, which lost me several seconds and a little concentration. Maybe I could have won but, anyway, second place is enough to keep me in the lead of the championship as we go to France for the next GP in my home country." Fourth-placed Townley was not disappointed with missing a podium place. The teenager was grinning from ear to ear as the race closed out. "This was as good as getting a podium in the opening round," Townley said. "I led a Grand Prix, and I feel my riding is getting better. I faded a little at the end, but overall this was a positive weekend.» Americans Tallon Vohland, Trampas Parker and Jeff Dement finished in 13th, 18th and 21 st, respectively. All three struggled after bad starts. As for Vohland, it was the speed of the race that worried him. "Everyone is on the same pace,» Vohland said. "I don't like to complain, but this track was a little too fast, and if you get a bad start, passing riders is so difficult. I also rode bad today, just could not get it together." 250cc GP Mickael Pichon and Frederic Bolley, the two leaders in the World 250cc Championship, crashed into each other in the first turn. Several riders had mentioned afterward that the two Frenchmen went into the corner much too fast. Kenneth Gundersen, who was right behind the two French riders, said, "I saw Pichon and Bolley come close together. I managed to turn back to the inside and miss the spill, they were going much too fast for the corner." With Pichon and Bolley left behind on the ground, England's James Dobb led into the first lap, followed by Gundersen, Pit Beirer, Jussi Vehvilainen, Josh Coppins, Paul Cooper, Gordon Crockard, Johnny Aubert, Andrew McFarlane and Marko Kovalainen. Dobb controlled the action, making a slight break on the secondplaced Gundersen, while Coppins made his way past Vehvilainen and

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