Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Several major revisions to the World Championship Motocross Series will occur in 2003, many having to do with the new legality of 450cc four-strokes in the 250c~ class. Perhaps the biggest news is that of Rinaldi Yamaha riders Stefan Everts and Mamicq Bervoets heading back to the 250cc class, which they will contest on Yamaha YZ450F four-strokes. Joel Smets will also do some rounds of the 250cc class on his 450cc KTM thumper, although it's not sure which ones and how seriously he will take the quarter-liter division, as the Open class will once again be his main aim. Patrick Caps, wbo may possibly become the 125cc champ in a couple of weeks, will also move up to the 250cc class, racing for a new team and under the watchful eye of five-time l'\X World Champion Georges Jobe. If Caps does win the 125cc title, then the 250cc class will be loaded with all of the current World Champions (Everts, Mickael Pichon and Caps). New Zealand's Josh Coppins will move to a new team in 2003 (probably CAS Honda), although the Kiwi will remain in the 250cc class, as will new CAS Honda-signer Gordon Crockard (Crockard and Jussi Vehvilainen wiJ1 both race the Honda CRF450R fourstroke). Three-time 125cc champ Alessio Chiodi will retum to the 125cc class, having spent a couple of years struggling through the 250cc division. Andrea Bartolini will also race the 125cc class on a Yamaha YZ250F four-stroke (now legal for that division), while Erik Eggens will race the new KTM 250cc thumper (ditto). Pit Beirer will tum in his Honda to race for the KTM factory in the 250cc class, with Yves Demaria remaining in the Open class for the Austrians. Of course, two-time 250cc champ Frederic Bailey will retire from motocross to take up roadracing, while 2001 125cc champ James Dobb will remain on the KTM team in the 250cc class (on the much-improved two-stroke). It appears that Andrew McFarlane and Kenneth Gundersen will remain with the Jan de Groot Kawasaki team in 2003, also in the 250cc class. Steve Ramon's future is unknown at the moment, although one would think KTM will continue the relationship with the Belgian, possibly moving him up to the 250cc class. Alex Puzar will remain with Husqvama, probably in the 125cc class. Some riders who are not sure were they will be in 2003 are England's Motocross des Nations 'hero Paul Cooper, French fireball Luigi Seguy (possibly going to the U.S.), and Mickael Maschio (also in talks with American tearns). um for the first time this year, some- bike now, and I can't wait until next thing that troubled the Englishman. year. Then we'll see some better ·We had a lot of work to do on the 250cc GP Coppins, Dobb and Jussi-Pekka Vehvilainen hit the first turn as Grand Prix, and it gave me some sorted. I'm really confident with the though they meant serious business, but by the end of the lap, Pichon had recovered from a slow start and was onto Coppins' back wheel, having already disposed of Dobb and Vehvilainen. Coppins fought back after Pichon tried a passing move, even nudging the Corona Suzuki rider in one corner and then repassing him. The champ, though, has been far better than his competition this year, and when he really decided to pass Coppins, he did it and then began his usual closing act. "Josh was holding strong," Pichon said. "He was not about to let me by and really rode hard. He's been working hard, and it's showing in his riding. I know that we have done a lot of work on the bike, and it's really made a big difference. I have so much confidence in the team, and you could see today we just had too much." Coppins, who was sacked by his Vismara Honda team at the German Grand Prix, showed that his speed remains good, despite his working from a small truck at the track and not haVing his usual team setup. "I don't feel I've lost anything," Coppins said. "I tried racing with Pichon, although he is just too good in those early laps - I couldn't match him. At first I tried; then I just thought it was better to maintain second place and take some good points. I am now second in the championship with one round remaining. It's the place I belong in the title race, and next year maybe I can do one place better." Third-placed Dobb made the podi- although I busted a rib in the last of working hard and getting the bike Maschio said.•All I knew was I was in front, and my riding was going okay. I felt really strong - my confidence is still pretty high from winning in Germany two weeks ago." As the race closed, Ramon moved past several riders in rather quick fashion, finally passing De Reuver on the last lap to steal second place. Caps had picked off his share of 125cc rivals, and on the last lap, he passed former 125 and 250cc World Champion Alex Puzar and England's Stephen Sword for seventh place. Though the championship is still mathematically open, the importance on the race showed on the face of Caps. Going into this round, he was just one point behind Maschio; it's now 10 points, and the title is all but decided. "I don't know what to say," Caps said. "I didn't have any grip with my tires - it was a joke. I didn't really have a good chance to fight back from the bad start, and now it might be too late." Ramon was also down on his results; while second place is normally an okay position for the Champ KTM rider, this time it was not good enough. "I'm a long way behind," Ramon said. "If you look at it with just one round remaining, Maschio will have to have a problem to lose it; maybe the pressure is on him now." results with this bike. I felt okay, KTMs," Dobb said. "It's been a year trouble. In the end, I couldn't keep ITop left} Everts celebrates with his father Harry. The elder Everts has four Worid titles himself. (Right) Though his feat was somewhat overiooked in the excitement over Everts' accomplishment, four-time Worid Champion Joel Smets scored the day's 500cc win. cue I • n _ _ s • SEPTEMBER 11, 2002 35

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