Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

(RIght) Robbie Reynard traveled to Belgium to compete In his first 250cc GP. He was slowed by a fallen rider and ended up eighth. "This track is so slippery," Everts said. "You were never sure where the slippery areas and the muddy areas were. 1 didn't want to take any chances and got caught behind Bartolini and Bervoets for far too long. Once I got around them, I could push much harder." Everts wasted little time closing in on Garcia, taking second place on lap 14. Smets was long-gone, though, and Everts had to settle for second place. That finish was like a win for Everts, though; his major rival in the champi- win); (99); (79); (74); 7. Gordon Crock8rd (119); 8. Johnny Aubert 9. Andrew McF"rhlIOe (94); 10. Alessio Chiodi 11. Jussi Vehvilllinen (77); 12. Paul Cooper 13. Marko KovoliDnen (71); 14. Cllrl Nunn (50): 15. Jirl Cepelok (49). AM WORLD C'SHIP 500cc MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 9 of 12 rounds) : I. Stefan Everts (204/4 wins); 2. MlIrnicq Bervoets (170); 3. Javier Vico Garcia (166); 4. Joel Smets (157/4 wins); 5. Andrell Bartolini (129); 6. Yves Demarill (87/1 win); 7. Roman Jelen (86); 8. Avo Leok (72); 9. Dllnny Theybers (71); 10. Thierry Bethys (69); 11. Brilln Jorgensen (60); 12. Cedric Melotte (54); 13. Joakim Karlsson (52); 14. Fllbrizio Din; (52); 15. Jomes Nobie (51). Upcoming Events Round 10 - Gaildorf, Germany, August 19 Round 11 - Loket, Czech Republic, September 1 Just as this story was going to press, we received the following news: Kiwi Josh Coppins (left) has been found not guilty of doping and remains racing in the World Championship Motocross Series. The Honda rider, 25, was found to have been negligent in taking a hay-fever tablet containing a banned substance, pseudo-ephedrine, before the Grand Prix of Austria in June. Coppins loses the 20 points and prize money fOr third place in that event, but remains second overall in this year's 250cc points standings. At a court hearing before three judges in Switzerland on the Monday after the Genk race, he was handed a three-month suspended ban which will be enforced if he tests positive in the next 12 months. "The past few weeks have been hell," Coppins said. "I've been able to pump myself up for the races. and I've kept scoring podium places, but it's not been easy. I lost several kilos in weight, and often I found I just couldn't concentrate on my training and riding because my mind would wander back to the case. Facing a drug charge is perhaps one of the cruelest things that can happen to a sportsman. I recognize I've been found guilty of negligence, and that's fair enough; the judges said to me they realize a thing like this can happen. I defmitely would never have bought that hay-fever treatment if I'd known the tablets contained a banned substance, no matter how minor. But the important thing is that I've been found not guilty of doping, and I believe my name is cleared." Coppins, a hay-fever sufferer since his teenage years, explained to the court that he was training in Italy before the Austrian event on June 9, when he ran out of treatment. At a local pharmacy, he bought tablets, subsequently found to contain pseudo-ephedrine and its metabolite cathine. Coppins, who came to the GP series eight years ago as a 17year-old, has vowed to stick with the sport he loves. "I just want to get on with my racing and let my results do the talking," he explained. "Right now, I'm still second in the championship, and it's far from over. There are three rounds to go, and I'm in contention for the title." Riding while he awaited the hearing, Coppins advanced to 180 points in the championship with yet another second place in Belgium. It took his unbroken string of podium finishes to seven, counting the now-revoked Austrian result. Now back on 160 points, he remains one ahead of his German teammate Pit Beirer. Championship leader and defending champion Mickael Pichon is on 213. Even with Coppins losing points, the Frenchman is not assured of the title. Unlike last year, he goes to the 10th of 12 rounds in Germany with some measure of pressure still on, as each race offers 25 points for the win, and either Coppins or Beirer could theoretically pass him. "I want to thank Honda Europe, who have stuck by me through this and kept me riding the CR250: Coppins said. "Many other people in the sport have been very supportive and encouraging as welj - other teams in the paddock, fellow riders, joumalists and many more. I'm not a drug cheat, and I think most people know it. Certainly, I stopped taking those hay-fever tablets as soon as I heard the result of the test, and I will be immensely careful about every medicine I take for the rest of my career, and the rest of my life." Remaining rounds in the world championship: August 18, Gaildorf, Germany; September I, Loket, Czech Republic; September 15, Moscow, Russia. Revised 250cc World Championship Motocross Series Points Standings (After 9 of 12 rounds): I. Mickael Pichon (213/8 wins); 2. Josh Coppins (160); 3. Pit Beirer (159); 4. Frederic Bolley (125); 5. James Dobb (124); 6. Kenneth Gundersen (121/1 win); 7. Gordon Crockard (119). onship is Bervoets, who finished fourth. With only three races left in the series, Everts will probably have to wait until the penultimate round in Loket, Czech Republic, before he can win his sixth title. eN Horensbergdlm Circuit &ank, Belgium Results: August 4, 2002 (Round 9 of 12l 125cc GP: 1. Patrick Caps (KTM); 2. Tyla Rettrey (KTM); 3. Steve Ramon (KTM) 4. Marc De Reuver (KTM) 5. TrampllS Parker (KTM); 6. Erik BRIEFLY••• Joel Smets clocked he quickest lap time in Genk. with a time of one minute, 54.797 seconds. The Belgian was much quicker than the other race-winners. Pichon and Caps (Pichon clocked I :56.989. with Caps doing Ihe second-best time of the three with 1:56.433). The quickest lap time in the 125cc class though was done by American Trampas Parker. who posted a 1:56.210. followed by 16-year-old South African Tyla Rattray. who clocked a 1:56.379. Robbie Reynard's best time of 2:00.130 was sixth·best in the 250cc class and 24th-best overall. Eggens (KTM) 7. Mickoei Moschio (Kow); 8. Marco Dorsch (KTM); 9. Christian Stevenini (Hus); 10. Luce Cherubini (Yllm); 11. Marvin Van Daele (Yam); 12. Silly Mackenzie (Yam); 13. Philippe Dupasquier (KTM); 14. Jeff Dement (Hon); 15. Antti KllJlonen (Hon). 250cc GP: 1. Mickeel Pichon (Suz); 2. Josh Coppins (Hon); 3. Gordon Crockerd (KTM); 4. Pit Seirer (Hon); 5. Jllmes Dobb (KTM); 6. Kevin Strijbos (502); 7. Carl Nunn (Hus); 8. Robbie Reynard (Hon); 9. Jussi Vehvilelnen (Hon); 10. Menuel Priem (Kaw); 11. Alessio Chlodi (Yam): 12. Marko Kovelianen (tm); 13. Andrew McFeriane (Ka.w); 14. Merk Eastwood (Hon); 15. Marcel Ven Drunen (Yom). 500cc OP: 1. Joel Smets (KTM); 2. Stefen Everts (Yam); 3. Javier Vico Garcia (KTM); 4. Marnicq Bervoets (Yam) 5. Andree Bartolini (Hon); 6. Jussi Vehvilainen (Hon); 7. J08kim Karlsson (Hbg); 8. Mots Nilsson (Hb9) 9. Donny Theybers (KTM); 10. Peter Iven (KTM) I I. Antli Pyrhonen (Han); 12. Merk Jones (Hon); 13. Michael Kadlecek (Hus); 14. Stuart Aockhort (Han); 15. Korl Korlsson (Han). FIJI\ WORLD C'SHIP 125cc MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 9 of 12 rounds): I. Plltrick Caps (159/2 wins); 2. Mickael Maschio (157/2 Wins); 3. Steve Roman (154/2 wins): 4. Philippe Dupesquier (142); 5. Alex Puzar (140/1 win); 6. Ben Townley (125/1 win); 7. Tyle Rattrey (99); 8. Jeff Dement (81); 9. Christian Stevanini (79); 10. luigi Seguy (75): 11. Trompos Porker (69); 12. Erik Eggens (66); 13. Anto;ne Lettelier (51); 14. Stephen Sword (SO); 15. JosefDobes (49). AM WORLD C'SHIP 250cc MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 9 of 12 rounds): I. Mlckoel Pichon (213/8 wins): 2. Josh Coppins (160); 3. Pit Beirer (159); 4. Frederic Bailey (125); 5. Josh Coppins was due to have his hearing for a drug charge heard. and the New Zealander says he will move to America to race if he is heavily penalized by the FIM. "I won't stick around in Europe.' Coppins said. "I've supported this series in every way I can, and if the FIM ban me for ionger than I feel is okay. then I'll race in America in 2003. I've already had interest from some teams. and I feel confident that I can be more than competitive in the 250cc class. " Coppins was easily quicker than American Robbie Reynard in Genk. although Reynard was suffering from jet lag and riding on a track that was very different from what he is used to. "I don't think the AMA would let them use a track like this in America," Reynard said, "It's a joke; I've never seen anything like this. At least it's not one of those slick. fast tracks I've heard about. " Reynard suffered from sleepless nights prior to the Belgian Grand Prix. one of the major problems the many Europeans had complained about when making a trip to America. "I flew to Europe on Tuesday," Reynard said. "I felt okay the first day or two. but I woke up at 1 a.m. on Sunday morning and couldn't get back to sleep. It's been an interesting trip, that's for sure. what with the food and stuff." Mickael Pichon has a great chance of clinching the 250cc title in Gaildorf, Germany. in two weeks. With a 54-point lead over third-placed Pit Beirer, and second-placed Josh Coppins looking likely to be suspended by the FIM due to his drug charges. the Frenchman only needs to finish ahead of Beirer in Germany to clinch his second-consecutive title. The 2002 Bercy Supercross. which will only run 125cc machines this year. is looking to be very exciting. Mickael Pichon will lead a French team, which at this moment should also include Mickael Maschio and be managed by Jean-Michel Bayle. Grant Langston will lead the" Rest Of The World' team (managed by Kurt Nicoill. while the David Baiiey-managed American team has not yet been finalized. Stefan Everts and Marnicq Bervoets wili race the 2003 250cc World Championship Motocross Series on the new Yamaha YZ450F fourstroke. Yamaha held a press conference at the Belgian Grand Prix to release the news. "I am excited about the change. - Everts said. "i think I've proven I am the best Open-class rider. and now it's time to go back to the 250cc class. Many people feel the 250cc class is the premier class.• It seems Frederic Belley might remain in the 250cc ciass. with another former World Motocross Champion being selected to ride the Yamaha YZ250F four-stroke in the 125cc division. KTM will also feature a thumper in the 125cc class. with Erik Eggens on a new KTM 250cc fourstroke. Joel Smets is not yet sure which ciass he will race in 2003. The KTM factory rider will do extensive tests 011 the new 450cc KTM in the hope of racing the 250cc class; he has also shown interest in doing both the Open class and the 250cc class. With Everts and Bervoets moving to the 250cc class, Smets is nearly a sure thing to win his fifth title should he stay in the 500cc class, and he could also hope for a top·three piace in the 250cc class. The latest rumor in Europe is that Sebastien Tortelli might be joined by another Grand Prix rider on the American SoSe Suzuki factory team. In fact. there could be as many of two current GP riders in team yellow in 2003. Dorna and the FIM headed to Competition Park in Amenca this week to have a iast look at the facility. -It's going to have a lot of supercross stuff in there. although it won't have huge jumps or anything like that." said FIM course clerk Dave Nicoll. "You have to give it some Americanstyle sections - it's in America. after all. Don't expect it to be too difficult for the European riders; it's going to be good for everyone.• James Dobb (124); 6. Kenneth Gundersen (121/1 cue ... n .. _ S • AUGUST 14, 2002 41

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