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(LetQ ,Javier V1co Garcia won the ....In event in his home country of Spain, but his closest teammate finished a disappointing 12th, placing the team fourth overall. (Right) Chlodi came from behind to chase his teammate Bartolini home In third, clinching the italian victory. a brilliant main-event victory by Javier Vi co Garcia, while Sweden rounded out the top five. It was Italy's second win in the MXoN, having also won the 1999 event in Indiatuba, Brazil. The difference was that, in '99, they led home a full field, while this year it was anything but. The American team - made up of Ricky Carmichael, Tim Ferry and Mike LaRocco - decided against attending the event, as did the original Belgian team of Joel Smets, Stefan Everts and Marnicq Bervoets. Belgium did send a team, however, which was renamed the D-team by many journalists. Defending Champion France followed Belgium's example, and with no Sebastien Tortelli, Mickael Pichon, Frederic Bolley, David Vuillemin or Yves Demaria, it was left up to a very ordinary defense by the Frenchmen. Australia, which had won the World Cup of Motocross only three weeks prior to this official event, was also a no-show. Yes, this year's most important race on the motocross calendar was anything but. Amazingly, though, the Italians seemed to ignore their fellow riders and packed their bags for BelJpuig. Bartolini, who finished second in the main event, felt he could have won, had it not been for some time off the bike. "My condition wasn't great, because I entered this race after my holidays," Bartolini said. ·So, after 10 minutes, I could not stay with Vico, and later on I could see that Chiodi was getting closer and closer. I just made sure that I finished and that Italy could win the Nations." As for Chiodi, his third in the main event paved the way for the Italian win. It was a moment of enjoyment for the GP legend, although he was not about to get carried away. "You cannot compare this to our 1999 win," reflected Chiodi, "although every race is il different story. We were the favorites before the event began because there were not so many riders here, but today I pushed at the same level as if I was racing Pichon, Everts or any of those guys. A race like this is never easy." The final team member, Puzar, was also not surprised by the win, although he enjoyed it more than the other two team members. For Puzar, it was his first taste of MXoN glory, and, having competed in this event since the late 1990s, victory was a long time coming for the Husqvarna factory rider. "This is my first Nations victory,smiled Puzar. "Of course, I have to thank Alessio and Andrea, who made the good race! It was difficult for me because I was on a bigger bike than my usual 125, but it is satisfying to be up here." This year, the Motocross of Nations saw some major changes, with the former three-moto format gone and replaced with two semifinals and a main event. This new system put a lot of pressure on the riders, as only the main-event points would count for the overall result. With all three riders competing in the main event, the FIM and Dorna decided that the best two scores from each team would count toward the team's final tally. Saturday would see the teams qualify via timed practice. It was in this section of the program that the Italians began their quest for their second Motocross of Nations victory. After Italy had recorded the best positions in the Saturday timed trials, they were rewarded with pole position for the main. The opening laps proved to be good for Italy, as Bartolini paved the way for their second win in the famous event. As the race MlltDcross at NlItiaal Bellpu;., Spia llelalls: Octaber za, 2DDZ closed, though, Bartolini began to tire, and Spanish rider Garcia brought MAIN: 1. Javier Vico Garcia (Spain); 2. Andree Bertolini (Italy); 3. A.Iessio Chiodi (Italy); 4. JussiPekkll Vehviloinen (Finland); 5. Peter Iven (Belgium); 6. Denny Theybers (Belgium); 7. Joke Karlsson (Sweden); 8. M.erco Kovalienen (Finland); 9. Alex Puzar (Italy); 10. Th;erry Bethys (Fronce); 11. Antti Pyrohonen (Finland); 12. Oscar Lanze (Spain): 13. Johnny Lindhe (Sweden); 14. Serge Guidetty the small crowd to its feet, passing the Italian and winning. Garcia won ahead of Bartolini, Chiodi, JussiPekka Vehvilainen, Peter Iven, Danny (Fronce); 15. Tanel Leok (Estonia). O/A: 1. Italy (5); 2. Belg;um (II): 3. Finland (12); 4. Spain (13); 5. Sweden (20); 6. France (24); 7. Estonia (33); 8. Czech Republ;c (40); 9. Ireiand (43); 10. SW;12erland (47); II. Slovenia (50); 12. Denmark (63). Theybers, Joke Karlsson, Marco Kovalainen, Puzar and, in 10th place, Thierry Bethys. eN BRIEFLY••• The Moroccan team was in trouble from the outset. as they only turned up with two riders. Despite a small and underprepared squad (Sallah Laraichl was some 30 seconds slower than the fastest riders throughout the weekend). their presence was appreciated in the w;de global representation that was on hand in the small Bellpuig paddock. Finland's Marko Kovalianen posted some decent times and took an encouraging eighth-place overall finish. along with the last step on the podium with Finland. The race was his first competit;ve outing as part of the MJ Chureh Kawasaki team. Alex Puzar. tw;ce a World Champion. is rumored to be considering retirement and is weighing his options for 2003. with Husqvama still also unsure of the extent of their commitment to next year's World series. Uke Gordon Crockard in the semifinal heats. Alessio Chlodl ran away with the qualifying mota. in front of Andrea Bartol;ni. and only a poor start in the A final prevented him from being able to challenge Vico and h;s countryman at the front. Chiodi did manage to ga;n third after fighting back from a first·lap pos;tion of seventh Peter lven was the most outwardly happy rider in the postrace press conference after helping Belgium to second overall. The GP regular was barely able to comment coherently without smil· ing - and deservedly so. The KTM rider produced one of the performances of the day. coming back from a first·lap standing of 13th to fifth Gordon Crockard was disappointed with hiS 16th posnion In the main. The Irishman rode a faultless race in the second sem;final and won by 8.5 seconds in front of Javier Vico Garc;a. A less-than-;deal start in the main event. and some further problems w;th hiS goggles. meant that a trad;t;onal Crockard fight·back (which was a typical GP occurrence in 2001) was not ;n the cards. However. the 23-year-old fared beller than his teammate Brian Steele. who was a first-comer casualty ;n both the heat and the main. Crockard was competing with a prototype version of KTM's 450 SX. a production model of which will be run in next year's new Motocross GP class. The press conference after the motocross of Nations was an amusing aHair. Initially. after nearly missing his kiss from the podium girls (a situation he was quick to remedy). Alex Puzar then had to suffer an unintentional joke from teammate Andrea Bartolini. When asked if he was looking forward to the new challenge of racing a 250cc four·stroke Yamaha in the 2003 125cc World Championship. 33-year-old Bartolini modestly replied that he would have preferred another option because ;t wasn't an ;deal situation for an old man to be racing in the 125cc class. WhUe Italy. Finland. Sweden and some of the smaller countries seemed to take the event seriously. nobody else d;d. Joumal;sts. team managers. spectators. and many other important figures decided not to fly to Spa;n for the race. R;ders such as Joel Smets. Stefan Everts. Mar· nicq Bervoets. Ben Townley and Michael Byrne raced events in Europe. while Austral;an riders Chad Reed and Craig Anderson raced a supereross in Sydney on the same day as the MXoN. CUD I III n III _ S • NOVEMBER 6, 2002 17