Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Josh Coppins made his first MotoerossGP podium of the season after rec::ently returning from injury. Joel Smets did double dlltJ' again in Holland. as he has all year. winning the 650ee elass and finishing seeond to Everts In the Motoc::rossGP event. MotocrossGP race and had in fact lapped CAS Honda rider Yoshi Atsuta in eighth place, only to do a slow last lap, letting the Japanese rider back by. Eleven of the 30 riders in the MotocrossGP class failed to finish what was the most demanding and often dangerous Grand Prix of the season. On several occasions during the 18 laps of the main race, Everts was three seconds a lap faster than second-placed Smets - it was domination like we have not seen for a long time in the Grand Prix series. "I am just lucky I have a gift from my father," Everts said. "Many people are saying that I am riding better than ever, but I still believe my best years were in 1997 and 1998, when I raced Tortelli. That was a lot like this year; we really pushed each other to another level - a level I'm not sure either 'of us had reached before, or maybe since." The Dutch Grand Prix was sent into a tailspin on Sunday morning when a heavy fog caused the race schedule to be changed dramatically. Despite temperatures reaching 95 degrees on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, it was the white mist that saw the FIM make changes. Due to the MotocrossGP class going to live television at 12:35 p.m. and the fog not lifting until around 11 a.m., the race director was forced to reset the 125cc race for the afternoon, with the MotocrossGP opening the day's racing. followed by the 650cc race, with the 125cc race closing the GP. For Everts, who had been using the 125cc moto as a way of finding the best lines for the MotocrossGP class, the format changes didn't cause him a problem. "I still had the 125cc practice just before the MotocrossGP race," Everts said. "I was able to find the good lines, and that helped in the opening laps of the 250 race. In fact, it was probably better the fog came in - due to the heat, I had intended to ride only a few laps of the 125cc race, but with the 250 race starting first, I could give itl 00 percent and then see what I had for the 125cc race. As it turned out, I had enough energy to win both races." When the MotocrossGP class got under way, and with a good knowledge of the circuit, Everts took over the lead from fast-starting New Zealander Josh Coppins on the opening lap and just took off. Coppins held off thirdplaced James Dobb, Pichon and Smets in fifth. Dobb was soon in trouble, taking a huge crash and injuring his shoulder. Pichon pushed past Coppins on lap two and set out after Everts. Pichon's weekend took a turn for the worst on lap six when he crashed out of the hunt. "It was one of those days," Pichon said. "My start was not so good, and then I pushed into second place. I then made a big mistake in the whoop section and hit my chest really hard on the handlebars. It took me a while to get going, and I also began to make mistakes and crashed pretty hard over a jump; that took a few laps to get me going again. It is not over yet, but I am sure I can come back; I just have to find some confidence again." Everts was never in too much trouble, though, controlling the race in brilliant fashion and once again showing he is the greatest Grand Prix Motocross rider of all time. "I was surprised after two or three laps I had a huge lead; I just pushed and saw at one stage I had a 20-second lead, then I slowed and controlled the race," Everts said. "I never once felt tired and just enjoyed the race. I prepared for a tough race, but I had something left. I have made a small step towards the title, and a lot can happen. I pick up three points here and there, and I hope to go into the last round in France with the title just about won." Third-placed Coppins, coming back from his serious back and ankle injuries, made his first GP podium since the Russian Grand Prix at the tail of the 2002 season. The likeable New Zealander was overjoyed to be back. "I got the holes hot here in 2001 and crashed in the first corner, so today I was a little easier when I hit the front," Coppins said. "Everts got me pretty quickly, then Pichon and Smets. I had a great battle with my CAS teammate Gordon Crockard. He almost crashed in the whoops, and I lost time on him when I crashed myself. As the race got closer to the end, I took maybe four or five seconds off him. He then made a mistake running off the track, and I made a pass on him. I pushed, and he never came near me, then he crashed hard on the last lap. I have been working so hard; we have a long way to go before I'm anywhere near 100 percent, but I'm getting there." In the 125cc class, Steve Ramon might not have taken the GP victory, but he continued his race toward taking the World Championship. With his close second to Everts, the young Belgian was impressive. "I'm feeling like I can race with him [Everts]," Ramon said. "If you look at how he won the MotocrossGP race and then beat me by a small margin, then you have to think that I rode okay. I felt good, and to have Bartolini and the other championship challengers back in the field, it did my title hope some good." Erik Eggens was impressed with the speed of Everts on his way to third. The KTM factory rider could only marvel at the Belgian's technical skills. "Today, with the heat and everything, Stefan Everts just rode an unbelievable race," Eggens said. "That man is not human. I mean, to do both the MXGP and 125cc class races and win both easily; he's the best ever for sure. My start was not so good, and I had to push really hard for the first four laps to get in third position. The speed was so high that after that time I was already feeling the heat. I began to find my rhythm Johan Boonen 13101 led the eharge at the start of the 650ee event, over Bernd Eekenbaeh 1981. Javier Garc::ia Vieo 141. Trampas Parker 1361. previous-round winner Cedrie Melotte 1371 and Mlehal Kadleeek 1651.

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