Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

r\/-JC::~1 I k ~ 'r/ FIM World Championship Motocross Series , ~ ltJotocross- ''-- ~-. ~ ~ "~~ ~ Round 6: Karntenring Cir'CUit -- "I'm still in trouble with my thumb," Dement said. "We're working hard, and I'm sure I'll be giving the front guys some problems soon. Today, seventh place was okay. It was a quick pace, and I'm glad to come away with 14 points." 250cc GP Coppins has been racing 250cc Grands Prix for nearly 10 years and is yet to score a GP overall. In Austria, the chances of victory looked good early, as the Kiwi held a slight lead over fellow factory Honda rider Pit Beirer, while series leader Pichon struggled in 10th. How quickly that ~IL changed! Pichon rocketed through the field and passed Coppins on lap five. From the moment Pichon set his front wheel into the lead, the race was over. The Corona Suzuki rider moved away from Coppins and third-placed Gordon Crockard, then switched to cruise control, just as he has done in each of his five victories this year. '" have not been training too hard really just playing around," Pichon said. "I knew Josh would be quick, although his speed often changes after a few laps - today was no different. I got a little tired, though, after the middle of the race, and began to make silly little mistakes. Then I nearly crashed big-time and slowed a little. My lead was large enough that it was not a problem." As for Coppins, the disappointment was obvious. Having led GPs at different times of his career, the New Zealander knew Pichon was coming and could do nothing to stop him. "I didn't feel good," Coppins said. "Couldn't get my rhythm and had to fight hard with Crockard. When Gordon passed me, I tried to stay with him; then when I had the chance to pass him, it was too difficult. In the end, I had to settle for third place." "I've been fighting with myself all season," Crockard said. "Last year, I was always up here [on the podium], and you don't know how difficult it's been for me. I know I have the speed. Now, hopefully I can stay with the front guys. My start today was my best this year, and once you're racing with Pichon and Coppins, then it all comes naturally." 500cc GP Demaria has to be one of the most bizarre competitors ever. On any given day, the long-haired, overweight 30-year-old can be the quickest rider in the world, and he certainly appeared to be that Demaria for 18 laps in Austria. Then the other Demaria turned up to ruin the party. "I had control of the race - no problem," Demaria said. "Stefan had tried to pass me, and I blocked him. He tried again on the last corner, and I could not stop him. He made a good pass, and I lost the race. He is a fivetime World Motocross Champion, so when he passes you, it's not too difficult to take." While Demaria was evidently convinced he should never have won the BRIEFLY••• the track he has very good lines, and I could not match him. For Husqvarna, a podium is very good. Maybe soon I will get my 23rd victory." As for Dobb, victory was sweet, coming nearly a year after his last Grand Prix win. "I won the championship in Germany last year," Dobb said. "Then I got injured, and I wanted so much to take another 125cc win. It was not easy today; I got together with Maschio in the start straight. I didn't want to get in his way - he's fighting for the championship - but I got my bars in front and wasn't going to back off. I struggled a little with the heat, and I'm not used to racing two motos, so that also was a problem. It's good for KTM to get this win, and they proved today that they have the best 125cc machine in the world." Maschio, who had ridden a great race, finished in sixth place, retained 58 JUNE 19, 2002' cue I ... Everts celebrates taking control of the Open-class points chase with the !l3rd win of his career. Word around the pits in Austria is that the circuit for the September 15 Russian Grand Prix near Moscow will be the best track this year. Built with red dirt and running in and out of an amphitheater, the track will race up a huge hillside, back down and into the amphitheater. Facilities for the event are also said to be the best in Europe. Dave Nicoll, the clerk of the course. will travel to Russia 'this week to inspect the course. aithough having seen drawings of what the Russian promoters have on, he is aiready sure of one thing. "It's going to be a very good motocross track." Nicoll said. "Very impressive. and for the spectators. it will be the best we have ever seen." The Russian organizers have also set up tours for the riders, press and team managers. taking the motocross circus from the airport to the hotel and then to the track. plus tours of magnificent Moscow itself. Josh Coppins hopes to come to Unadilla for the July 21 National. The Kiwi. who is currently his championship lead and goes to Bulgaria in two weeks with the knowledge that Dobb will not be around to give him any problems. "I had some trouble with James on the start straight," Maschio confirmed. "We bumped each other, and I lost a lot of time. From last to sixth was good for me. I am disappointed, though; it would have been good to get with Puzar and Dobb up front." American riders Jeff Dement and Parker produced consistent results again, Dement with seventh place and Parker in 1Oth. Early on, the two held fifth (Parker) and seventh (Dement), although the pace of the race eventually took its toll of the veteran Parker and the still- injured Dement. n ... vv 'IS second in the 250cc World title chase. attended some early rounds of the EA Sports Supercross series. aithough the outdoor events might provide more of an opportunity for Americans to see the real Coppins. Unadilla could end up hosting a bunch of Grand Prix riders. as the Grands Prix take a month-long break in July. Ben Townley and Tyla Rattray were signed by KTM on the weekend. The two are promising GP riders. and their contracts are said to offer a 2004 ride in the U.S. as a bonus. Factory Yamaha rider Luigi Seguy has aiso been offered a ride in the States. and although the Frenchman would not say with which team. he is considering the offer seriously. Seguy. who is suffering from knee injuries. is one of the many French riders who is strong in both supercross and motocross. It seems the American teams are now looking outside their country for international talent even more than ever. However, many of the top Grand Prix riders are under contact. although Stefan Everts is yet to sign for 2003 (rumors say he might just sign with KTM for two years and retire in 2005). James Dobb's Austrian win takes him to 11 GP victories in the 125cc class. and he is now equal with American Bobby Moore. Sebastien Tortelli and Aiex Puzar for seventh place on the ' all-time 125cc GP win list. Ahead of Dobb are Michele Rinaldi <12 wins). Harry Everts (16). Eric Geboers (18). Dave Strijbos and Alessio Chiodi (26 each) and Gaston Rahier (29). As we have mentioned in the past. Mickael Pichon continues to move in on Sebastien Tortelii's 20 GP wins. With the Austrian GP victory. Pichon is now on 19 overall wins. just one short of Tortelll's tally. James Dobb gave credit to Pichon after his 125cc win: "The way he is riding. I think he's probably as quick as Canmichael at the moment. Those two guys are the two fastest riders in the world. "

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