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FIM World Championship Motocross Series Round 3: Talkessel Circuit tally strong, and beating him is going to be hard, but I think I can." Pichon never really panicked though, and his ever-so-increasing strength got him through what was probably his most difficult race in two years. "I had a really good start," Pichon said. "We have been working on the starts, getting the bike sorted. The start is everything this year - beating the four-strokes is all at the start. I expected the others to follow Crockard and me. I got a little tired, and Crockard was catching me and pushing hard. I relaxed and got my blood flowing. It was very slippery, with a lot of water put down by the club. We showed that the Suzuki is really strong. When Crockard was behind me, I didn't want Crockard to pass me. I was tired and thought he might get away, but then I had my rhythm back in time to keep the lead and the win. When I saw six minutes to go, I decided to push. I did some laps under two minutes and knew I could do that until the end. I then got a small lead over Crockard, which was when I made my best move." As for Smets, his place on the podium was assured, and he was not going to throw it away for a few points. "I felt good," Smets said. "It was not an easy race, though. The track was quick, and making up time was really not easy. I got close to Crockard, but I would have had to push really hard on the last couple of laps to get him, and I didn't want to crash. I'm happy with second in the championship at this stage, and I can still beat Pichon, but yes, his speed is very good at the moment." 650cc It was once again all Joel Smets in the pauper's class of the Grand Prix series. Smets led from lap one and just took off, winning by 16 seconds over Vico Garcia, and another eight seconds over third-placed Cedric Melotte. "I can ride at 90 percent and still win in this class," Smets said. "It's a pity we don't have anyone else racing in this class, but I still have to give it my best. I want to win in each and every race I ride in." Garcia held on for his third runnerup position in as many rounds and enjoyed his time behind his fellow KTM rider. "He made a break early and was gone," Garcia said, "pretty much the same story as in Spain and Holland. I don't know if I can race with him this year. He's on another planet." American veteran and former World 125cc and 250cc Champion Trampas Parker dropped out of the 650 race after crashing twice. He was in last position when he retired to the 32 MAY 14, 2003' c u e I e pits. CN Talkessel Circuit Teutscllenthel, &ermany Results: May 3-4, 2003 IRaund 3 of 121 125 GP: I. Marc De Reuver (KTM); 2. M'ickael Mllschio (KlIw); 3. Andrea Bartolini (Yam); 4. Steve Remon (KTM); 5. Tylll RattrllY (KTM); 6. Rodrig Thain (Hus); 7. Luigi Seguy (Yllm); 8. Stephan Sword (KTM); 9. Erik Eggens (KTM); 10. Davide Guarnieri (Yam); 1"1. Phlllipe Dupasquier (KTM); 12. Antoine LetteJier (Yam); 13. Joan Barreda (TM); 14. Pasclli Leuret (KTM); 15. Jeff Dement (Yam). MOTOCROSSGP: I. Mickael Pichon (SUI); 2. Gordon Crockard (Hon); 3. Joel Smets (KTM); 4. Stefan Everts (Yam); 5. Mamicq Bervoets (Yam); 6. Brian Jorgensen (Hon); 7. Claudio Federici (Yam); 8. Kenneth Gundersen (Kew); 9. Paul Cooper (Hon); 10. Marc Ristero (Hon); 11. Yoshi Atsuta (Hon); 12. Patrick Caps (KTM); 13. Kevin Strijbos (Suz); 14. James Noble (Hon); 15. Andrew McFarlane (Kaw). 650 GP; 1. Joel Smets (KTM); 2. Vico Garcia (KTM); 3. Cedric Melotte (Yam); 4. Stuert Flockard (Hon): 5. Bernd Eckenbach (KTM): 6. Michal Kadlecek (Hen); 7. Thierry Bethys (Hon); 8. Mark Eastwood (Hon); 9. Danny Theybers (Hbg); 10. Fabrizio Dini (Hen): 11. Plerrick Paget (Hon); 12. Mark Hucklebrldge (KTM); 13. Saso Kragelj (Yam): 14. Peter Iven (KTM); 15. Daniele Bricco (Hon). FIM WORLD C'SHIP 125 MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 3 of 12 rounds): I. Marc de Reuver (60/1 win); 2. Steve Ramon (59/1 win); 3. Andrea Bartolini (55); 4. Mickael Maschio (47/1 win): 5. (TIE) Alessio Chiodi/Tyla Rattray (38); 7. (TIE) Stephen Sword (37)/Rodrig Thain (37); 9. Erik E9gens (34); 10. Luigi Se9UY (28): 11. Ben Townley (26); 12. Marvin Van Daele (24); 13. David Philippaerts (20); 14. Antoine Lettelier (19); 15. Rui Goncalves (15). FIM WORLD C'SHIP MOTOCROSSGP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 3 of 12 rounds): 1. Mickael Pichon (75/3 wins); 2. Joel Smets (64): 3. Stefan Everts (50); 4. Kenneth Gundersen (48); 5. Brian Jorgensen (47); 6. Gordon Crockard (40); 7. Kevin Strijbos (32); 8. (TIE) Claudio Federici (29)/Andrew McFarlane (29); 10. Yoshi Atsuta (25); 11. Carl Nunn (23); 12. Marc Riston (22); 13. James Dobb (19); 14. Antoine Meo (17); 15. Marnicq Bervoets (16). FIM WORLD C'SHIP 650 MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 3 of 12 rounds): I. Joel Smets (72/3 wins); 2. Javier Vico Garcia (66); 3. Cedric Melotte (58): 4. Danny Theybers (37); 5. Mlirk Elistwood (34); 6. (TIE) Stuart Flockhard (28)jMichal Kadlecek (28)jTrampas Parker (28); 9. Bernd Eckenbach (27); 10. Pierrick Pliget (26); 11. Thierry Bethys (24); 12. (TIE) Antti Pyrhonen (23)/Mark Hucklebridge (23); 14. (TIE) Yves Oemaria (20)/Avo Leok (20). Upcoming Rounds: n e _ s BRIEFLY••• Despite his injured shoulder. Gordon Crockard clocked the quickest race lap around the Talkessel circuit. Crockard cut a lap of one minute. 59.441 seconds, while Stefan Everts did the best qualification lap. a 1:56.148, on Saturday. In the 125cc class. Marc De Reuver showed the best laps. with a 2:01.246 on Sunday and a 1:58.647 on Saturday. Joel Smets. of course. ruled the 650cc class. with 2:00.896 on Sunday and 1:58.661 on Saturday. FIM Motocross president Wolfgang Srb attended the German Grand Prix; he remained tightlipped about the 2004 Grand Prix promoter. -We will send out a press release in two weeks." Srb said. "I can say what I have been saying all along: We will return to two motos per class. and I expect to see some rounds outside Europe if not in 2004. then in 2005. We are working very hard on this. Going to America is going to be difficult because of the situation there. We need to find a promoter who is willing to run a Grand Prix and not lose other major races; there is some politics involved ... Nonetheless, rumors continued in the Grand Prix paddock that Glen Helen in Southern California will hold a Grand Prix in 2004 or 2005. When asked about this. FIM and Giuseppe Loungo (who has. by the way. been unofficially confirmed as the MXGP promoter for next year) would just say they are working on races in America. Australia and some other countries outside of Europe. When asked about the future of World Supercross. Srb had little to say. "You would have to talk with Dorna or Clear Channel about that series." he said. "I don't know too much of what will happen.The Talkessel circuit was once again prepared perfectly. and while rain caused some problems on Saturday. Sunday saw perfect weather. A crowd of around 15.000 spectators arrived at the former Eastern Bloc circuit. with tickets priced at around 20 euros. Joel Smets held a press conference to tell of his dislike for the beer tent at the German Grand Prix. The four-time World Motocross champion was camping in his campervan at the circuit and was not in a good mood after the tent closed down at 2 a.m. Saturday morning. "We are not being treated with respect," Smets said. "I could not sleep last night. and I have more adrenaline going through my veins now than when I am on the starting line. I nearly electrocuted myself a few years ago trying to sabotage the electrics at the beer tent. I have nine liters of fuel, and I will bum the tent to the ground if the music does not stop at 11 a.m. tonight." Smets came to his senses and stayed in a hotel on Saturday night. Amazingly. the victory by Mickael Pichon was his 28th Grand Prix victory. He is now equal with Georges Jobe. Andre Malherbe and Paul Friedrichs in eighth place on the all-time GP win· ners list. just two wins behind Gaston Rahier. and four wins behind Heikki Mikkola. Roger DeCoster has 36 wins. Torsten Hallman 37. and Eric Geboers 38. Pichon has been beaten just four limes in three seasons. once by Kenneth Gundersen in 2002. when Pichon crashed in the first turn of the German GP. and three times in 2001. once to Chad Reed and twice to Gordon Crockard.