Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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FIM World Championship Motocross Series Round 4: Montevarchi Circuit STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEOFF MEYER MONTEVARCHl, ITALY, J(JNE t ~ ix-time World Motocross Champ~ ion Stefan Everts returned to his place at the top of the World Motocross Championship with a double victory at the Italian Grand Prix, held at the Montevarchi circuit. Around t 5,000 spectators saw history made as Everts became the first rider to win two Grands Prix in one day. He also moved to 56 career GP victories (five more wins than Joel Smets, who took the remaining GP of the weekend in the very poor 650cc class). Everts and Smets are first and second-in the all-time winner list. Defending Champion and 250cc series leader Mickael Pichon suffered a weekend he would rather forget, crashing in Saturday practice and then again in the race. For once, the 30-year-old Everts wasn't looking at making history, just being able to return to the form he had in the preseason races and throughout his career. It's been mainly Everts who has brought so many special moments to the Grand Prix scene the last 10 years, and Italy was once again a magical GP. "It's not about history," Everts said. "I am so happy to know I still have it. 1 never really felt 1 was finished as a World championship force, and now I can get on to racing for the title again. I've had trouble with my rhythm, and I have not felt comfortable at all. Riding the 125cc race first 32 JUNE 11, 2003' cue I B Everts becomes the first to win two classes? ,in one day.:/' took some pressure off, and I really felt strong in the MotocrossGP race even when Smets was behind me I didn't feel the pressure. To win two Grand Prix in one day is pretty good for my confidence, although hitting form is much more gratifying for me." Pichon might have something to say about Everts' return to form, though. The French rider was plagued with bad luck and will no doubt return to the podium sooner than later. "It was one of those weekends," Pichon said. "I didn't feel good about today; I felt weak and could not fight like 1 have in the past. Federici IAbove) Stefan Everts did a lot of winning in Italy, beeoming the first rider ever to win two elasses in one day - the 125ee and MotoerossGP classes. (Right) Joel Smets had a good day as well, winning the 650ee elass and finishing a elose seeond in the MotoerossGP event, elosing up in the series ehampionship. n e _ s ~. crashed, and I rode over the top of him, bending my exhaust. I don't want to make excuses; I was not strong. Now I will have to work on that." In the 125cc class, Everts never suffered any type of assault on his lead, and it was left up to the regular 125cc riders to fight over the crumbs. Marc De Reuver went like a wild man in the early going, holding down third place at one stage before he hit the dirt, dropping back in the field and losing his championship lead. Belgian Steve Ramon, who is known to struggle under pressure, held second place .. when it counted and took the series points lead. "It was a tough race for me," Ramon said. "I had to work my way into second after a bad start, and several riders were riding very fast. It's good to be back in the lead in the championship, and I feel 1 have the speed to combat the other guys." Joel Smets continued his domination of the 650cc class, and while not too many are interested in this class (due to a lack of quality riders), the performance by the Belgian was firstclass. "I had some trouble early," Smets said. "I got a little excited about it it's been a while since I had to work my way through the field in this class. Garcia fought a little, and that is good for the sport." It was obvious rather quickly that the great Stefan Everts was a level better than the other 125cc riders at the start of the tiddler event. Everts