Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128206
the 2002 season working out the problems with the new KTM 250cc machine; he should enter the opening round in Bellpuig, Spain, with some serious motivation. Dobb won his first-ever Grand Prix around the Catalonian circuit in 2000 and followed it up with another victory in 2001. He was only denied another podium place last year when his KTM machine died as the race was closing out (with him in second place). Alongside Dobb in the KTM tent in 2003 will be the German wild child Beirer. If anyone can produce magic moments, it's Beirer. Count on his presence in the KTM truck to add some extra motivation for Dobb. What about the CAS Honda lineup? Last year, they struggled a little as their riders (Paul Cooper, Yoshi Atsuta and Jussi Vehvilainen) spent time on the sidelines with injuries, but this year, with HRC backing, the CAS boys will be going for gold. The return of Gordon Crockard to the Harry Ainsworth-owned team and the introduction of World 250cc number two Josh Coppins make this team the dream team of British Motocross. Can Coppins and Crockard (two of the nicest guys in the paddock) bring CAS a World title? Well, Crockard was the only rider able to beat Pichon on more than one occasion in the 2001 season, and while his time spent at KTM in 2002 was not good, the experience of racing under difficulties may work in the Irishman's favor. Coppins is also a rider of immense fighting potential. While he crashed out of the AMA Supercross season earlier this year, it's a safe bet that he will be 100-percent prepared when he arrives at Bellpuig. 12Scc CLASS It might be another war when the tiddlers come to play. Defending World Champion Mickael Maschio will have his hands full racing against the bright young Ben Townley, with the 17 -year-old Kiwi expecting to win a World title in 2003. Then there are the two Benelux riders Erik Eggens and Steve Ramon. These two will produce some great racing, and while Eggens has been assigned to race the 250cc four-stroke in the 125cc class, Ramon will go with a 125cc machine. Both Bulgaria promises to be a nice circuit in tenns of amenities, but it is yet to be seen how world-class racing will be on the circuit itself. It's located mostly on a hillside. will race alongside Townley in the Kees Van Der Yen KTM factory team. Others who could offer some surprises are Holland's Mark De Reuver, South African Tyla Rattray, Scotland's Stephen Sword, and American Jeff Dement; all three are hungry for improvement over last season's results. 6S0cc CLASS This class will without a doubt be quite the achiever; although for British interest it might be a barnstormer. CAS Honda representative Jussi-Pekka Vehvilainen will race the Honda 450cc in the thumper class, and with Smets and Yves Demaria concentrating on both the 250cc and 650cc classes in 2003, you can see the quiet Finnish rider making some waves. The only other rider who might give Jussi come trouble will be Spanish master Javier Vico-Garcia. He showed in 2002 that his results have improved, constantly running with Smets and Everts, and if he gets a good start to the series, he could win Spain its first-ever World Motocross Championship. THE TRACKS This year's series has some beauties, starting with round one in Bellpuig, Spain. This undulating circuit is laid out on the side of a Catalonian hill, some two hours from Barcelona. Bellpuig offers great viewing for the public (as do most in this year's series) and is a hard-packed circuit. Bellpuig ran the replacement Motocross des Nations of 2002. It has been on the GP scene for about 10 years now, although the current circuit is very different from the one Alessio Cmodi won on back in 1994. The second round of the series will go ahead in Valkenswaard, Holland. Now this is a real old-school GP circuit, though it's not a popular stop. The first time we visited this difficult sand track was back in 1974, when Suzuki team manager Sylvain Geboers won one of his many GPs. We head to Germany for round three and Teutschenthal. This facility Uddevalla in Sweden, some 70 miles from Gothenburg, is another of those places I'm not sure if I like or not. It doesn't have a bad layout, although it lacks some of the technical sections to test the riders. Half hard packed and half sand, it's a test for the riders and another place with great viewing. Moscow was to be next on the calendar, although as we went to press, it was understood that Russia was getting the chop, and Namur, Belgium, was back in. If Namur does rejoin the Grand Prix calendar, then the series takes a more serious look no track in the Motocross World Championship is as demanding and has as much atmosphere as the Belgian track, which runs around a hilltop fortress in one of Belgium's medieval cities. Following Leirop is Gaildorf, Germany. Situated 50 miles from Stuttgart, this hard-packed track has a truckload of history. The first GP held at the Gaildorf circuit was back in 1976, when Russian Vladimir Kavinov won a 250cc GP ahead of soonto-be World 250cc Champion Heikki Mikkola. This place has great corners and jumps, and the atmosphere is second to none. A huge beer tent will also entice some of the British boys. Closing out the series will be Loket, Czech Republic, and Ernee, France. Both are good Motocross circuits and are hard packed, attracting great racing and large crowds. The 2003 Motocross des Nations goes again to Belgium, this time the Road Racing facility in Zolder, which is situated not far from Brussels. With no circuit yet made and the past problems with the Motocross des Nations, the less said the better. eN is one of the most popular among the riders. It's also hard packed and has some interesting off-camber corners and technical areas. Teutschenthal entered the GP scene in 1993, and a kid by the name of Joel Smets won one of his first GPs at that race. We then head to Italy and the magnificent Montevarchi Circuit. This is a picturesque, hard-packed track, which is situated south of Florence and is another hillside circuit. It's been a few years since Montevarchi has been used, although it's a happy hunting ground for the Rinaldi Yamaha team, with team manager Michele Rinaldi winning there in 1980 and Donny Schmit winning in 1990. Present-day Rinaldi team member Everts won there in 1995. This track should bring some great racing, as many of today's riders will enjoy the layout. Bulgaria is the next stop, and this place is just awesome. Not the best circuit on the series, but the facility is amazing. A hard-packed track with 100-percent viewing for the spectators and several large tabletop jumps for some spectacular action. The worst circuit on the series follows one of the best. This time we head to Austria and the Karntenring. Just down the road from Klagenkurt, the circuit has improved a lot after the first year a GP was run at this facility (in 2001), although it is still not an interesting place. At least the spectators once again have 100-percent viewing (for those who might turn up), which I guess counts for something. The last two years have seen poor attendance. If you are going to go to a GP for atmosphere, then don't pick this one. DATE GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT March 30 April 13 May 4 June 1 June 8 June 22 July 6 July 20 August 10 August 24 August 31 September 14 October 5 Spain The Netherlands Germany Italy Bulgaria Austria Sweden Namur The Netherlands Germany Czech Republic France Motocross of Nations Bellpuig Valkenswaard Teutschenthal Montevachi Sevlievo Kamtenring Uddevalla Belgium Leirop Gaildorf Loket Emee Belgium cue I e n e _ S • MARCH 26. 2003 43