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FIM World Championship Motocross Series Round 1:2: Extreme Pa (Leftl This Is all anybody saw of PIchon pretty much all year In the 250cc cia... He has reportedly slacked off on his training regimen as the Motocro. . of Nations approaches. (RIght) Maschlo shows off his new numberone plate, although he reportedly won't be running It next year. He's In talks with Yamaha of Troy to come staleslde In '03. Christian Burnham (Hon); 9. Avo Leok (Hon); 10. Miska Aaltonen (Hbg); 11. Andrea Bartolini (Hon): 12. Danny Theybers (KTM); 13. Michlll KlIdlecek (Hus): 14. AJesslIndro ZlInni (Hon); 15. Toomas Triise (KTM). FIM 125cc WORLD MOTOCROSS GRAND PRIX SERIES FINAL POINTS STANDINGS: 1. Mickeel Meschio (225{4 wins); 2. Steve Remon (221{3 Wins); 3. PlItriek Caps (197/2 wins); 4. Philippe Dupasquier (183); 5. Alex Puzer (169/1 win); 6. Ben Townley (147/1 win); 7. Tyle Rellrey (118); 8. Jeff Dement (103); 9. Mllre De Reuver (96); 10. Stephen Sword (96); t 1. Christien Stevanini (88); 12. Trllmpes Perker (84); 13. Erik Eggen, (76); 14. Luigi Seguy (75); 15. Serge Guidetty (61). FIM 250cc WORLD MOTOCROSS GRAND PRIX SERIES FINAL POINTS STANDINGS: I. Mickeel Pichon (288{11 win); 2. Joshue Coppins (222); 3. Pit would have liked to have won, of course, and I knew early that my speed was good." eN Belrer (205); 4. Jemes Dobb (177); 5. Kenneth Gundersen (167/1 win); 6. Frederic Bolley (151); 7. Gordon Crockerd (143); 8. Andrew McFerlone (128); 9. Jussi·Pekka Vehvilllinen (126); 10. Alessio Chiodi (116): II. Peul Cooper (101); 12. Johnny Aubert (100); 13. MlIrko Kovalainen (85); 14. Carl Nunn (80); 15. Christien Beggi (68). FIM 500cc WORLD MOTOCROSS GRAND PRIX SERIES FINAL POINTS STANDINGS: I. Steren Everts (268{4 wins): 2. Joel SmelS (229{6 wins); 3. Javier Gercill Vico (225!1 win); 4. Mamicq Bervoets (222); 5. Andrell Bartolini (154); 6. Yves Demaria (121/1 win); 7. Romon Jelen (110); 8. Brien Jorgensen (91); g. Avo Leok (89): 10. Jemes Noble (88); 11. Denny Theybers (87); 12. Cedric Melolle (84); 13. Christien Bumhem (75); 14. Thierry 8ethys (72); 15. Febrizio Dlnl (65). BRIEFLY••• Four-time World 500cc Motocross Champion Joel Smets feels sure that nobody will have a chance against Ricky Carmichael come the Motocross of Nations on September 29. Smets. who raced against Carmichael at the Southwick Nationals in 2001. feels the Honda rider is on a level all by himself. "He races with Fox gear on." Smets said.• He should wear No Fear. because that's the way he rides. I seriously think the guys in Europe are not on his level. and while we [Belgium] might still be able to win the Motocross of Nations. taking the individual overall will be a tough job for anyone other than RC. " Park Extreme Yakhnma, Russia Results: September 15, maz (Round 1Z of 1Zl 125 GP: 1. Steve Remon (KTM); 2. Ben Townley (KTM); 3. Merc De Reuver (KTM); 4. Mickeel Mllschio (KllIw); 5. Stephen Sword (KTM); 6. TlInel Leok (KTM); 7. Tyle Rewey (KTM): 8. Kenneth Gundersen (Kaw); 9. Billy MlIckenzle (Yam); 10. Philippe Dupesquier (KTM); 11. Tom Church (KTM): 12. M~HCO Dorsch (KTM); 13. Mervin Van DlIele (Vern); 14. Rul Goncelves (Yam); 15. Jllrrett De Jeger (Kew). 250 GP: 1. Mlckeel Pichon (Suz); 2. Joshue staying healthy. I'll tell you. being a professional motocross rider is a tough job. and anything else I do will be easy after this. I also look forward to going camping with my wife and kids· doing normal things for once in my life." Mickael Maschio pulled off another first at the Russian GP. Maschio became (along with Mickael Pichon) the first French rider tc>win a World Motocross Championship in the same year as a fellow countryman. Maschio also scored a first for being on a 125cc and 250cc Grand Prix podi. um when French riders finished first. second and third. Another feather in Maschio's hat is that he was one of three French riders to win a Grand Prix on the same day. the others being Yves Demaria in the 500cc class and Mickael Pichon in the 250cc class at the Italian Grand Prix this year. It seems like most of the European riders feel Carmichael will be tough to beat. World 250cc Motocross Champion Mickael Pichon mentioned that he has stopped training and his condition is not good. while Stefan Everts is only looking at the team prize and not the individual hon· ors. "I never said I could beat Carmichael." Everts said. "I am not even looking at that contest. To be honest. I don't think I have the good bike to challenge him. I think the 250s will have an advantage over the four· strokes. and it's more important that the Belgian team think about win· ning the event. not beating Carmichael· that would be a big mistake. " Coppins (Hon); 3. Kenneth Gundersen (KlIw); 4. Jemes Dobb (KTM); 5. Pit Belrer (Hon); 6. Jussi· Pekkll Vehvilalnen (Hon); 7. Alessio Chlod! (Yam); 8. MlJrc Riston (Hon); 9. Sergey Garin (Hon); 10. Jlrl Cepelek (Hon); 11. Juss Leensoo (Yem); 12. Andrew McFerlene (Kew); 13. Peul Cooper (Hon); 14. Yoshlteke AlSute (Hon); 15. Christophe Merlin (Sul). 500 QP: I. JavIer Garele Vico (KTM); 2. Joel Smets (KTM); 3. Steflln Everts (Yam); 4. Mamicq Bervoets (Yam); 5. Jemes Noble (Hon); 6. Anttl Olevl Pyrhonen (Hon); 7. Cedric Melotte (Yam); 8. Jan de Groot. Mickael Maschio's team manager. has a great record in World Motocross. The Dutchman has taken six World Motocross Cham· pionships since his first in the early ·90s. Greg Albertyn. Sebastien Tortel· Ii. Stefan Everts. and now Maschio have won championships under the watchful eye of de Groot. Another rider who de Groot brought into Grand Prix racing was a young kid named Chad Reed. who finished second in last year's 250cc World Championship. Americans Ryan Hughes and Tal· Ion Vohland have also ridden for de Groot. o.rcla was all smiles after getting his tint-ever Grand PrIx victory. No American riders competed at the Russian Grand Prix. Trampas Parker was out due to injury. Jeff Dement was out due to injury. and Tal· Ion Vohland failed to qualify after riding a borrowed bike when his failed to get through customs at the Russian border. A truck loaded with all of the British.Motocross teams' motorcycles failed to arrive at the Extreme Park facility (pictured) on Friday morn· ing for bike inspection. It seems six or seven teams all put their machines in a Russian truck. hired a Russian driver. and still could not get the bikes through. The machines are still at the border. and word is they will remain there until a fine has been paid for carrying the incorrect papers. Robbie Reynard is still a possibility to race the 2003 World Motocross Championships. The 24·year-old rode the Belgian 250cc Grand Prix for the CAS Honda team. CAS has since signed Josh Coppins and Gordon Crockard to race the new Honda 450cc machines in the 250cc class. but another British team has shown interest in Reynard. Some major changes happening in Europe seem to be getting clearer. Mickael Maschio's move to the United States is looking very good. and the 125cc World Champion will make a decision in the coming weeks. If rumors in Europe are correct. the Frenchman is in talks with Team Boost MobilelYamahafTroy Racing. Another Grand Prix rider looking at racing in America in 2003 is Australian Andrew McFarlane. The Aussie Finished eighth in the 250cc Worid Championship this year for the same team as Maschlo (Jan de Groot Kawasakil. and rumors in Europe indicate he is in talks with the Kawasaki factory in America. McFarlane is a very good Supercross rider who in fact beat Chad Reed for the Aussie SX title a few years ago. "I am talking to a team in the USA." McFarlane said. "I don't want to say which one. although irs a good offer." McFarlane will race for Australia at the September 29 Motocross of Nations. and then obviously make a deCision on his future. American Tallon Vohland has secured a deal to work with Acerbis in America. The veteran rider who retired from motocross at the Russian Grand Prix will join his brother Tyson at Acerbis. "It's time to give the game away." Vohland said. "I have a small baby and another on the way. I don't want to take the risks anymore. I had a back injury this year. and that scared me a little. My results have not been what they should have been. and maybe in the back of my mind I'm thinking about my kids and 16 SEPTEMBER 25, 2002' CUe I • The Russian Grand Prix proved to be a tough event for the joumal" Ists in attendance. The World Motocross Championships are known for fantastic press facilities. although when journalists and photographers arrived at the circuit on Friday they found that there was no Internet access. With stories going out to magazines throughout the world. the joumalists were taken to a local Internet coffee shop. where only one or two could get a connection. The rest rushed back to their hotels every evening to send reports and photos. The 250cc class will lose a few riders in 2003. With Andrew McFar· lane likely to going America. Frederic Bolley retiring. Alessio Chiodi going back to the 125cc class. and Jussi·Pekka Vehvilalnen moving to the 500cc class. four of the top 10 will likely not return in 2003. Not to worry. though the premier class in Europe will be even stronger next year. with Joel Smets. Stefan Everts. Marnicq Bervoets. and Patrick Caps racing in the 250cc class. n • _ !IS