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FIM World Championship Motocross Series Round 9: Horensbergdam Circuit do that, the way I am riding." Smets himself was chasing records at Genk, and since his victory in the Open class gave him win number 45, he is now only five wins away from Joel Roberts' 50-win total, and a further two wins away from the all-time win mark held by Stefan Everts. "Winning is never a problem," Smets said. "I'm. not driven by records, although to pass a number of wins by somebody like Joel would be a great achievement." Everts was runner-up to Smets, and Spaniard Javier Vico Garcia completed the podium. The biggest battle for the championship is taking place in the 125cc class, in which several riders still have a chance of taking the title. In Belgium, it was Patrick Caps who took the initiative, collecting not only the Grand Prix victory, but also the series points lead. "I am so happy: Caps said. '" had some support from Georges Jobe today, and also Joel Robert. To have STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEOFF MEYER GENK, BElGIUM, AUG. 4 n front of 20,000 spectators, and around a muddy, difficult Genk circuit in Belgium, defending 250cc World champ Mickael Pichon took another easy win, and only weeks after becoming the winningest French rider in Grand Prix history, Pichon took yet another record, becoming the first rider ever to win six-straight 250cc GPs (it was also the Corona Suzuki rider's eighth win in nine tries). The previous co-record-holders were Swede Torsten Hallman and Belgian Marnicq Bervoets, who had each scored five-straight wins; now the Frenchman stands alone, and Pichon's next aim is to win eight in a row to equal the all-time, all-class record set by Joel Smets. "I want to win nine in a row," Pichon said. "Taking these records motivates me, and I want to win the last three Grands Prix of this year for Smets' record. It's very possible I can I 38 AUGUST 14, 2002' .. U .. I Et n e _ s them cheering me on is fantastic you can't imagine how much that helps. [Having] so many people here to watch makes it all worth while." 125cc GP This class' competitiveness was evident on the start, as the top five or six riders entered the first lap banging bars. American Trampas Parker once again proved age is no barrier, as he led the young lions of the tiddler class through the treacherous Genk sandhills. Caps held second place, followed by Tyla Rattray, Mickael Maschio and Ben Townley. Parker led the opening two laps before Caps passed the former champ. It was Townley, though, who was making the most noise, passing Parker on lap three and pushing Caps to the limit. Just 16, Townley had made a visit to the hospital for a knee operation during the week, and he proved a little impatient as he crashed out big-time and dropped back to 20th place. Parker had also gone backward, being passed by another 16-year-old in lAbove) Andrea Bartolini (21), Johny L1ndhe (5), Mark Hueldebridge (55) and Christian Bumham (11) lead the way at the start of the 500ee GP at the Horensbergdam Circuit In Genk, Belgium. Defending ehamp Stefan Everts (1) took second In from of the home crowd. Rattray. That young South African, who rides for the same KTM team as Townley, had yet to make the podium this season, yet after six laps he began to push Caps for the lead. Caps, however, got away. "I was never worried," Caps said. "I had some trouble using good lines in the first couple of laps; however, once I got my rhythm, it was no problem." Caps' race took an even better turn, as Maschio (the series points leader) drifted from fourth place to seventh. With the lead, Caps looked a good bet to take the championship lead, but Rattray was also eager to make a mark. "I train and practice with Ben [Townley, who won the previous GPJ all the time," Rattray said. "I know