Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

FIM World Championship Motocross Series Round 1: Circuit de Catalunya time World Motocross Champion was beginning to feel uncomfortable on the bike, and by midrace Everts was spent. "My arms were pumped up, and I was not feeling that comfortable," Everts said. "I really just pushed as hard as I could to get past Smets then tried to reel in Pichon, although I worked too hard, and I had to slow." a mistake early in the race, was also feeling the pressure yet fought on, despite some machine problems. He also repassed Everts for second. "The bike started playing up early," Smets said, "something with the carburetor. I had to adjust and ride a little looser. I was pretty tight early in the race; once I relaxed, I could pass Stefan again." Pichon was relentless from lap six 11, (15); 7. Luigi Seguy (14); 8. Rodrig Thain (13); 9. Mervin Ven Deele (12): 10. Tyla Rattray (II): II. Antoine Lettelier (10); 12. NicolliS Chllrlier (9); 13. Ben Townie): (8); 14. Tllnel Leak (7); 15. David Philippllerts (6). MOTOCROSS GP: I. Mickael Pichon (SUI); 2. Joel Smets (KTM); 3. Stefan Everts (Vem): 4. Gordon Crockard (Han); 5. Brian Jorgensen (Han); 6. Kenneth Gundersen (Kaw) 7. James Dobb (KTM); 8. Pit Beirer (KTM); 9. Andrew McFarlane (Kaw); 10. Marc Ristori (Han): II. Carl Nunn (Kllw); 12. Antoine Meo (KllW); 13. Voshi Atsuta (Hon); 14. Chris MlIrtin Fonner WOI'lcI eh8mp T........ ......er tool< sblIh In the 850cc class. (SUl): 15. Kevin Strijbos (SUl) FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MOTOCROSS GP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (Afler I of 12 rounds): I. Mickael Pichon (25/1 win); 2. Joel Smets Smets, who had forced Pichon into to lap Chiod! (22); 3. Andrea Bartolini (20); 4. Stephen Sword {18}; 5. Steve Remon (16): 6. Merc De Reuver constantly clocking two seconds a lap quicker than Smets and Everts, and by lap 12 he was 10 seconds ahead of Smets, while Everts was beginning to feel the heat from Crockard, who had passed a crashed- (22); 3. Steran Everts (20): 4. Gordon Crockard (18): 5. Brilln Jorgensen (16); 6. Kenneth Gundersen (15): 7. James Dobb (14): 8. Pit Beirer (l3); 9. Andrew McFarlane (12); 10. Marc Riston (II); 11. Carl Nunn (10); 12. Antoine Meo (9); 13. Yoshi Atsula (8); 14. Chris Martin (7); 15. Kevin Strijbos (6). 650: I. Joel Smets (KTM): 2. Javier Vico Garcia (KTM); 3. Yves Demaria (KTM): 4. Cedric Melone (Hon); 5. Pierre Paget (Hon); 6. Trampas Parker (KTM); 7. Mark Hucklebridge (KTM): 8. Michal Kadlecek (Vam): 9. Chris Burnham (Han); 10. Joakim Karlsson (Hbg); 11. Thierr~ Bethys (Hon); 12. Mark Eastwood (Han); 13. AnUi Pyrhonen (Vam); 14. Danny Theybers (Hbg): 15. Christian Beggi (KTMI ~IM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 650cc MOTOCROSS SERES POINTS STANDINGS (After I 01 12 rounds): I. Joel Smets (25/1 win); 2. Javier Vico Garde (22); 3. Vves Demaria (20): 4. Cedric Melotte (18): 5. Pierrick Paget (16); 6. Tramres Parker 7. Mark Hucklebridie ~141: 8. Miche Kedlecek 13: 9. Chris Burnhem 12; O. Joakim Karlsson 11; 1 I. Thierry Bethys 10: 12. Mark Eastwood (9); 1 . Anttl Pyrhonen (8); 14. Danny Theybers (7): 15. 1151; Chris Beggi (6) Upcoming Rounds: Round 2 - Valkensvaard, Holland, April 13 Round 3 - Teuchenthal, Germany, May 4 out Mamicq Bervoets. "I had a terrible start," Crockard BRIEFLY said. "I thought I had the holeshot, but Brian Jorgensen took me wide, and I was back in about ninth place. The introduction of the KTM 2S0cc four-stroke proved a lillie embarrassing for the orange team. Having worked on the bike until midnight the evening before the race. the KTM mechanics were then forced to strip the bike as it sat in the waiting zone. just five minutes before the 125cc moto began. While the bike made the start, Eric Eggens ran around in last place. finally retiring on lap five. Eggens had qualified the bike through his Saturday heat race with a sixth place ahead of the KTM 125cc two-stroke riders Marc De Reuver and Ben Townley. Despite DNFing the Dutchman enjoyed the new machine. "It's really a good bike - very light. and handles great." Eggens said. "When I first got on it. my lap times were two seconds a lap qUicker than on my 125cc machine. We need to do some work. but overall it's very exciting." KTM team boss Kurt Nicoll was also enthusiastic about the new venture. "We are in development of this bike. and there is no beller place to do that than here at a Grand Prix." Nicoll said. "We would like to have this bike racing in America in 2004. although we need to get the bike in production and see how that all goes. At the moment it does not look like we would have it ready for the 2004 Supercross season, but maybe for the Nationals." By the time I got to Bervoets, I felt okay, but passing here is tough. Then when he crashed, I hit him and also lost some time. I felt I could have gotten Everts, but he is difficult to pass at the best of times." Pichon crossed the finish line and in typical fashion raised his fist in the air and saluted to his Suzuki team. SSOcc GP Three KTM riders, Yves Demaria, Javier Vi co Garcia and Smets, led the somewhat weak field of Open-class riders into the first lap. Smets fol- With Mickael Pichon winning his 26th Grand Prix he moved into 19th place on the all-time list of Grand Prix winners. With another three wins he will enter the top 10. Stefan Everts leads the list with 54 wins. Many French joumalists are beginning the countdown to what they feel will see Pichon one day as the greatest Grand Prix winner ever. lowed his rivals for six laps before passing and taking off. "It took me a few la ps to get used to the bigger bike," Smets said. "I really enjoyed the challenge of two The lap times in Bellpuig showed the MotocrossGP class was without doubt the fastest class of the weekend. Mickael Pichon clocked the quickest lap time of the races with a 1:46.912. followed by Gordon Crockard with a 1:47.088 and Joel Smets with a 1:47.240. The quickest 250cc lap time of the weekend went to Joel Smets. though. The Belgian clocked a 1:41.655 on Saturday's qualification. which was a second quicker than Pichon·s. In the 125cc class Andrea Bartolini clocked the best time with I :51 .111. followed by Maschio with 1:51.295; and in the 650cc class Smets tumed in a 1;47.719 time. Smets was quicker on the 450cc machine than on his regular 650cc. which had Stefan Everts calling Smets out to stop complaining about the 450cc. "Joel has been com· plainlng for months about the 450 not being any good." Everts said. "I think he should stop with the bullshit now; he's proven it's a good bike." motos in one day, and we have made so much progress with both bikes. I never backed off, although I had to work hard on not losing my concentration - that was the toughest thing about the race." Without a doubt the 650cc race was the least exciting of the weekend, with Smets winning by 12 seconds over Garcia and Demaria. American Trampas Parker made a great race, however. Having entered the first lap in 20th place, the KTMmounted former World Champion moved through the pack to finish in sixth place. eN Joel Smets will make a decision in a few weeks as to whether he will race the complete season in both the MotocrossGP class and the 650cc class. "I will do Valkensvaard and Gennany. then evaluate what I will do for the season." Smets said. "It's been an Interesting weekend. Gelling pole for both classes was fun. and I think we have made a lot of advances with my 450cc bike." The promoter for next year's World Motocross Championships is still undecided. and the FIM will not make a decision until late April. FIM Motocross president Wolfgang Srb is sure that changes will be made when the new promoter takes over from Doma. Many Italian joumalists in the pits said it would be Italian Giuseppe Luongo who will run the show in 2004. Srb. though. was steadfast with his idea. "Whoever takes over it will not be known for at least three weeks." Srb said. "I know the changes will be made for the better of the teams. circuits and everyone invoived in the sport. I can say that we will work with the riders and teams at a much higher level than ever before; we have some thing to fix in our sport." Circuit de Catalunya Bellpuig, Spain Results: March 3D, 2003 [Round 1 of 121 125 GP: 1. Mickael Maschlo (Kaw); 2. Alessio Chiod! (Yam); 3. Andrea Bartolini (Yam); 4. Slephlln Sword (KTM); 5. Steve Ramon (KTM); 6. Marc De Reuver (KTM); 7. Luigi Seguy (Yam); 8. Rodrig Thain (Hus): 9. Marvin Vlln DaeJe (KTM); 10. Tyla RAttray (KTM); 11. Antoine Lettelier (YlIm); 12. Nicolas Charlier (KTM); 13. Ben Townley (KTM); 14. Tanel Leok (KTM); 15. David Philippaerts (KTM). AM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 125cc MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After I of 12 rounds): 1. Mickllel Maschio (25/1win); 2. Alessio 28 APRIL 9, 2003' c u e I .. n e vv s Srb was also critical of the American journalists. saYing that the American Supercross series is a more prestigious senes than the FIM World Motocross Championship. "The most important series In the world is the World Championship." Srb said. "It was. It is. and it will always be the bigges1 series in the world. If you look at the situation in America at the moment. with all these riders injured. it's a pity. I know there is a lot of interest in the FIM series at the moment. with the best three all together in the MotocrossGP class this year. If you look at the top lOin the American series. it does not have very much depth. How many factory riders are racing in Houston this weekend? ~ Sylvain Geboers. the owner of the Corona Suzuki factory team in Europe. is more concemed about the present situation in Europe than Srb. With the departure of Doma. the Suzuki boss in worried what the future is for the Grand Prix series. "If you look at the American series." Sylvain said. "it's very strong. with a lot of support from Japan. I mean they are gelling crowds of around 60.000 people at their races. I am a lillie nervous about what Japan might see as the important place to invest their efforts. Already the American Supercross series is into Europe with the World SupercrossGP. If the American series takes in more races in Europe. then it's difficult to say where Japan will see the importance. I am worried for the sport in Europe." Two former World Motocross champions were surprised by Pichon's domination of the Spanish race. Five-time World Motocross Champion Eric Geboers. who trains with Pichon. never expected the Frenchman to be so strong so early. "He is probably 20-percent off being at his maximum fitness." Geboers said. "You know Pichon can tum it up for a few laps and go for that extra second. Not too many others can do that. and that is a big advantage in this series. I am not sure Stefan can. I really think Pichon took a major psychological advantage. I am surprised for the others. I am sure he will improve; he had the operation. and he is still growing in confidence." Belgian Georges Jobe. another five-time World Motocross Champion. said. "I am surprised. because I did not expect Pichon to win so easily. The beginning Pichon lost the first fight with Smets, and Smets passed him. but then I think Pichon slowed. relaxed and just passed him back. I think if you can stay with him. he will make mistakes. just as he did in the first laps when he made his pass on Smets: he quickly had a lead of 100 meters. It is hard to compete with thaI sheer speed. I also think we all forgot about how good the Suzuki is. I thought the two-stroke would be faster; I really thought that before the race. Two-strokes remain easier to ride. and I think Pichon proved that today. If you look at the way Pichon has his bike. It is very similar to the setup Ricky Carmichael has in America. keeping the bike low to the ground and fast in the comers. " Corona Suzuki boss Sylvain Geboers was excited after the race. never expecting hiS nder to win the opening Grand Prix. "The two-stroke is not dead." Geboers said. "My target was top three. I was not expecting him to win this year. He is not 100-percent fit. and this race looks great for Suzuki. Once he passed. he was gone. Don't forget this is just one race." The Citadele in Namur. which is the Monte Carlo of Grand Prix MotocrosS. retums to this year's series, and it is understood that the historical Belgian circuit will remain on the calendar for the next four years. Also to retum to the series next year will be Luxembourg. The promoter of the Belgian and Luxembourg races told what the plans are: "This year we run Namur on July 20." he said. "Next year it goes back to its original date of the first weekend in August. followed a week later by the race in Luxembourg. Both races are under contract with the FIM until 2007."

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