Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

FIM World Championship Motocross Series Round 7: Udd!=valla Circuit riders fought for points. In fourth place, Crockard and Bervoets were in close contact, while behind them came a freight-train of riders. Australian Andrew McFarlane held sixth place ahead of Brian Jorgensen, Yoshi Atsuta, Kenneth Gundersen, Josh Coppins and James Dobb. Crockard returned from injuries and produced another typically tough performance. "I was happy with my start," Crockard said. "The first corner was good, but the second corner caused me a few problems. Federici held onto the inside line very tightly, but I managed to power down the first straight in fourth. Smets and Pichon were locked in a personal battle, and Pichon passed me and Smets in one move. It was a pretty impressive pass. So that put me down by one place, which bothered me a little because the idea is to move forward. I then had a similar problem with Bervoets only not as severe. After about 10 minutes I got past Bervoets but felt quite tired and needed to take a breather for two laps, but he stayed with me, and I had to focus and not Champion Juha Salminen who led the big-bore riders around the opening lap. Smets began instantly to make progress on the leaders, moving into third place after a poor start, although local rider Jonas Edberg make any mistakes." As for Everts, it was again the race he had dreamed about. Making up points on Pichon was important, now onto the next challenge: "Four GPs ago, I was 25 points behind Pichon," Everts said. "So it's been a good comeback. A lot of people thought my chances were over. The first phase of catching him is finished; now the second phase of passing him surprised the GP regulars by passing both Parker and Salminen and taking the lead for a lap. By lap five, Smets had passed Edberg, Parker and Salminen and began to make a big gap on the others. Another Belgian rider, Cedric Melotte, moved into second place with Spanish KTM rider Vico Garcia taking over third position. Parker maintained his strong top-five is going to happen. I want to win the next five Grands Prix and take the championship for Yamaha. I had a lot of trouble with lapped riders. I nearly lost this GP because they slowed me up so much. I'm going to buy some blue flags and hand them out at the next Grand Prix." had real problems getting past Federici, too. He was going really slowly, and he was blocking me in the corners. I eventually got past him and S50cc In a huge shock it was American Trampas Parker and World Enduro place, although was challenged throughout the race by Salminen. eN Uddevalla Circuit Uddevalla, Sweden Resulb: July 6, 2003 (Round 71 125: I. Stefan Everts (Yam); 2. Marc De Reuver (KTM); 3. Steve Ramon (KTM) 4. Erik Eggens (KTM); 5. MickaeJ Maschio (Kew): 6. Tyla Rattray (KTM); 7. Stephen Sword (KTM): 8. Andrea Bartolini (Yam); 9. Christian Stevanini (Hus); 10, Nicolas Charlier (KTM); II. Marvin Van Daele (KTM); 12. Tanel Leok (KTM): 13. Aigar Leok (KTM): 14. Jonathan Barragan (KTM) 15. Joan B.eddeda (KTM). FIM WORLD C-SHIP 12S MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 7 of 12 rounds): I. Steve Ramon (138/1 win); 2. Marc De Reuver (136/1); 3. Andrea Bartolini (128); 4. Mickdel Maschio (123/2): 5. Edk Eggens (94) 6. Stefan Everts (93/3); 7. Tyla Rattray (78): 8. Stephen Sword (73): 9. Rodrig Thain (58): 10. Alessio Chiodi (57); 11. (TIE) Luigi Seguy/Marvin Van Daele (52); 13. Nicolas Charlier (43); 14. Tanel Leek (34); 15. Joan Barreda (32). MOTOCROSSGP: I. Stefan Evens (Yam): 2. Joel Smets (KTM); 3. MickaeJ Pichon (Suz); 4. Gordon Crockard (Hon); 5. Mamicq Bervoets (Yam); 6. Andrew McFarlane (Kaw); 7. Brian Jorgensen (Hen); 8. Yoshi Atsuta (Hon); 9. Kenneth Gundersen (Kaw); 10. Josh Coppins (Hon); 11. James Dobb (KTM); 12. Paul Cooper (Hon); 13. Claudio Federici (Yam) 14. Kevin Strijbos (Suz); 15. Michal Kadlecek (Yam). FIM WORLD C'SHIP MOTOCROSSGP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 7 of 12 rounds): I. Mickael Pichon (153/3 wins); 2. Stefan Everts (150/4); 3. Joel Smets (146); 4. Brian Jorgensen (99); 5. Claudio Federici (84); 6. (TIE) Kenneth Gundersen/Andrew McFarlane (79); 8. Gordon Crockard (78); 9. Yoshi Alsuta (77); 10. Marnicq Bervoets (60); 11. James Dobb (57); 12. Kevin Strijbos (55); 13. Marc Ristero (41); 14. Petrick Caps (38): 15. Johnny Auben (36). 650: 1. Joel Smets (KTM); 2. Cedric Melotte (Hon); 3. Javier Vico Garcia (KTM) 4. Trampas Parker (KTM); 5. Juha Salminen (KTM); 6. Jonas Edberg (KTM): 7. Bernd Eckenbach (KTM); 8. Thierry Bethys (Hon): g. Danny Theybers (Hbg): 10. Antti Pyrhonen (Yam); 11. Mark Eastwood (Hen); 12. Stuart F10ckhard (Hen); 13. Roman Jelen (Hon): 14. Peter lven (KTM); 15. Michal Kadlecek (Yam). FIM WORLD C'SHIP 6S0 MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (Arter 7 of 12 rounds): I. Joel Smets (175/7 Wins); 2. Javier Vico Garcia (150): 3. Cedric Meloue (140): 4. Bernd Eckenbach (77); 5. Trampas Parker (76); 6. Danny Theybers (74): 7. Michal Kadelcek (71) 8. Fabrizio Dini (70): g. Roman Jelen (66): 10. Mark Eastwood (64): 11. Stuart Flockhard (62); 12. Antti Pyrhonen (61): 13. Thierry Bethy (54); 14. (TIE) Alessandro Zanni/Pierrick Paget (33). Upcoming Rounds:: Round 8 - Namur, Belgium, July 20 Round 9 - Lierop, Nethertands, August 10 BRIEFLY••• .Joel Smets was asked if he had been in contact with the Aprilia manufacturer with the possi- bility of his racing the MXl class in 2004: "At this stage of my career I will listen to any offer," Smets said. "I know they must have the money to develop the bike. and I'm excited about some· thing like that. We worked hard to make the Husaberg a winner by in 1995. and I would enjoy the challenge of racing for another new brand in the sport.• The Uddevalla circuit came under attack from many of the riders after it was found that the surface of the track was in a terrible condition. Heavy rain during the week and also on Saturday improved the track a little, although huge holes and large bumps made the track very difficult to race on. Stefan Everts 'has decided to race the remaining rounds of the World 125cc Motocross Championship. Word in the pits in Sweden was that the Benelux area (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) will. in fact. get five Grands Prix in 2004, not four as previously told by Giuseppe Luongo. It is understood that Belgium will get two, Netherlands two and Luxembourg one. It is also under· stood that the regular Dutch Grand Prix circuit in Holland, Valkenswaard. is on the out and might not have a Grand Prix at all. The organizer of the Benelux races, Mr. Johan Maris. is unsure of what will happen. "At this moment we have to get a big crowd for the Namur race in 2003," Maris said. "If we don't get a big crowd, then Namur might not be on the calendar for 2004. It's an expensive club. and we need to make money this year. As for Luxembourg, that is okay: we will run there; in Holland ifs looking like the Federation wants to run at a track which has a sea· son-long training facility. and Valkenswaard does not have that. We might go with Genk and Zolder for the Belgian Grands Prix. although I hope that does not happen. as the two tracks are about 20 miles apart. " A huge television screen was erected at the Swedish GP. It was perfect. as the circuit has a huge hill. which accommodated 100 percent of the crowd. and the television gave great viewing for the spectators. Joel Smets and Mickael Pichon had a near fist fight during qualification on Saturday. It seems Pichon felt Smets had been slowing him down on purpose on his fast lap. Having passed Smets, the French rider then slowed down. let Smets pass him and just as Smets began his fast lap rode into the Belgian. Smets was amazed by the attack from Pichon. "I was really surprised." Smets said. "I didn't slow him down; I don't think I've ever slowed anyone down in my life. I didn't even know he was behind me. When I started my fast lap. he let me by and then suddenly rode into me. I was shocked what happen." Pichon felt bad about the situation afterward. and the two shook hands.• He was slowing me down, looking over his shoulder at me," Pichon said. "Then when he did his fast lap. I let him pass and block-passed him. Unfortunately we both went down and 90t pretty angry with each other. It's just part of racing. and I hope ifs forgotten." Marc De Reuver said that he will not race in America in 2004. although he will in 2005. De Reuver has signed a contact with the family management team. Bobby Moore was in Europe a month ago sealing the deal with the Dutchman. De Reuver will hope to continue the historical movement by Dutch riders to America. Back in the 19705 Pierre Karsmakers and Gerrit Wolsink raced many races on the AMA championship series. Pit Beirer is still making positive progress after the accident at the Bulgarian Grand Prix. which left the German rider With a broken back. Beirer has 1alked to several riders and phoned the announcer of a German Intemational Motocross race, wishing everyone a good day. and telling them he will attend the race in 2004 as a spectator. -Beirer will more than likely attend the Ger- . man Grand Prix in Gaildorf on August 24. When Everts is through racing, his GP marks may never be equaled. 38 .JULY 23, 2003' cue I e

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