Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128228
FIM World Championship Motocross Series Round 8: Lierop Circuit Eastwood (Hon); 13. Erwin Robins (KTM); 14. Simo Kirssi (KTM); 15. Thierry Bethys (Hon). WORLD C'SHIP 6S0 MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 9 of 12 rounds): 1. Joel Smets (220/8 wins); 2. Javier Vico Garcia (194): 3. Cedric Melotte (165/1 win): 4. Danny Theybers (105); 5. (TIE) Roman Jelen/Trampas Parker (93); 7. Michal Klidlecek (92); 8. Fabrizio Dini (90); 9. Bernd Eckenbach (82); 10. Thierry Bethys (75); 11. Antti Pyrhonen (74); ]2. Mark Eastwood (73); 13. Stuart Flockhard (62): 14. Joakim Karlsson (55); 15. Avo Leok (43). Upcoming Rounds: Round 10- Gaildorf, Gennany, August 24 Round 11 - Loket, Czech Republic, August 31 BRIEFLY••• Mlckael Pichon's title hopes took a blow when he fell while running near the front. He finished a disappointing sixth. winning the title in the 450 class. I had a bad start, but then got by the guys pretty quickly, set a good tempo and just enjoyed the moto." American veteran Trampas Parker once I was in third and started to finished in 11 th place after a good make a little bit of time on Steve start. The former World Motocross [Ramon]. Towards the end, I could Champion held fourth place on lap one not push anymore and just cruised before dropping back through the pack when I saw the gap I had over Ben - first to seventh position, then ninth, [Townley]. Before the GP, maybe I and finally 11th. should not have been lOO-percent Holland MX &P Lierop, Holland Results: August 10, 2003 [Round 91 happy with third place. I am on the podium again, and I hope I can make this step again for the last three GPs." In the 650cc race, Joel Smets gated poorly before making his way to the front of the pack and racing off for an easy victory over Javier Vico Garcia and Danny Theybers. It was once again a very boring race as Smets dominated, just as he has done in all but the Belgian Grand Prix in Namur two weeks ago. "My bike was set up great," Smets said. "I knew at the beginning of the year it would not be easy to combine both classes, but we've had nine GPs, and I'm leading one championship and second in another, so 1 do not have so much to complain about. I'm a winner, and I am still focusing on With Everts (airbome) already running second, MotocrossGP title rivals Smets (3) and Pichon (1) try to hurry toward the front to chase him down. Everts won by 32 seconds. Several team changes have been made for the 2004 season. Belgians Stefan .Everts and Cedric Melotte will race the 250cc YZFM in the MX1 class for Yamaha in 2004, with Australian Andrew McFarlane racing the 250F in the MX2 ciass, also for Yamaha. McFarlane leaves the Jan de Groot Kawasaki team, while Kenneth Gundersen also leaves the Kawasaki team; the Norwegian will move to the KTM team to race the 250cc class. The KTM team looks likely to include Joel Smets, Steve Ramon and Gundersen in the MX1, with Ben Townley, Marc De Reuver. Tyla Rattray and possibly Erik Eggens racing the 250cc four-stroke machines in the MX2 class. Joel Smets has yet to sign, although it seems it is his best option. Smets is said to be talking with Suzuki. Honda and Aprilia - although, as previously mentioned, it seems KTM has the upper hand on his signing. KTM has informed James Dobb. Yves Demaria and Javier Vico Garcia that they will not be needed in the Motocross Grand Prix scene, although Garcia and Demaria were offered rides in the European 650cc Championship. Dobb is in talks with a British-based Suzuki team, with the likelihood of racing the new Suzuki 450cc machine. At this moment it looks like Kawasaki will only run with Mickael Maschio. while Suzuki will keep Mickael Pichon and Kevin Strijbos, both in the MX 1 class. and will help a satellite team in the MX2 class. , Belgian veteran Marnicq Bervoets is yet to sign with anyone for 2003 and has been linked with two Yamaha teams with some support from the Yamaha factory. Josh Coppins is aiso unsure of his future in the Grand Prix paddock: while CAS Honda wouid like to keep him, it is unsure if it has the budget. Gordon Crockard and Japanese rider Yoshi Atsuta look likely to remain with the CAS Honda team. CAS is also looking at signing Mike Brown for its MX2 effort. eN 125: 1. Stefan Everts (Yam); 2. Steve Ramon (KTM): 3. Erik Eggens (KTM): 4. Ben Townley (KTM); 5. Marvin Van Daele (KTM): 6. Tenel Leok (KTM); 7. Alessio Chiodi (Yam); 8. Mick2lel Maschio (Kaw); 9. Tyla Rattray (KTM); 10. Andrea Bartolini (Yam); t t. Stephen Sword (KTM): 12. Oscar Vromans (Yam); 13. Jonathan Barragan (KTM); 14. Luigi Seguy (Yam): 15. Rui Goncalves (Yam). WORLD C'SHIP 12S MOTOCROSS SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 9 of 12 rounds): 1. Steve Ramon (182/1 win): 2. Andrea Bartolini (159); 3. Mickael Maschio (152/2 wins); 4. Stefan Everts (143/5 wins): 5. Marc De Reuver (136/1 win): 6. Erik Eggens (126): 7. Tyla Rattray (108); 8. Stephen Sword (98); 9. Alessio Chiodi (81); 10. Marvin Van Daele (77); 11. Luigi Seguy (70); 12. Rodrig Thain (63): 13. Tanel Leok (57): 14. Nicolas Charlier (56): 15. Ben Townley (44). MOTOGP: I. Stefan Everts (Yam): 2. Joel Smets (KTM); 3. Josh Coppins (Han); 4. Kenneth Gundersen (Kaw): 5. Kevin Strijbos (Suz): 6. Mickael Pichon (Suz); 7. Paul Cooper (Han); 8. Yoshi Atsuta (Hon); 9. James Noble (Hon); 10. Andrew McFarlane (Kaw): 11. Avo Leok (KTM): 12. Lauds Freibergs (Hon): 13. Kornel Nemeth (KTM): 14. Marko Kovalainen (Kaw); 15. Carl Nunn (Kaw). WORLD C'SHIP MOTOGP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 9 of 12 rounds): I. Stefan Everts (200/6 wins); 2. Joel Smets (190); 3. MickaeJ Pichon (188/3 wins): 4. Brian Jorgensen (112); 5. Kenneth Gundersen (111); 6. Andrew McFarlane (105); 7. Claudio Federici (95); 8. Yoshi Atsuta (93); 9. Kevin Strijbos (80); 10. Gordon Crockard (79); 11. Marnicq Bervoets (78): 12. James Dobb (73): 13. Josh Coppins (53): 14. Paul Cooper (42); 15. Marc Ristero (41). 650: I. Joel Smets (KTM); 2. Javier Vico Garcia (KTM); 3. Danny Theybers (Hbg); 4. Johan Boonen (KTM); 5. Joakim Karlsson (Hbg); 6. Fabrizio Dini (Hon); 7. Roman Jelen (Hon); 8. Antti Pyrhonen (Yam); 9. Michal Kadlecek (Yam); 10. Ken Van Dyjcker (KTM); 11. Trampas Parker (KTM); 12. Mark Former World Motocross Champion Bobby Moore was back in Europe. Moore, who works for The Familie management group. was finishing up contract talks with Marc De Reuver. The Dutchman will race the 2005 AMA Supercross/Motocross season. Moore is not looking for other European riders to come to America. "At this moment. we don't have anyone else in mind," Moore said. I am looking at some road racing guys in America. We have signed a couple of guys. That is an area I want to get into. also maybe work with some younger guys also.· N Moore was also unsure of Chad Reed's involvement in the World Supercross Championship. "We have to make a decision in the next few weeks," Moore said. "To be honest I am not sure if we will. The factories are not interested. and I am not sure the riders are interested. From what I hear. Travis Pastrana and Jeremy McGrath are talking about going. and I'm sure they will get riders, I'm just not sure how many of the really top guys will come." News that the American team will compete in the 2003 Motocross des Nations in Zolder. Belgium. was met with enthusiasm from the European press. It's no surprise that the introduction of Ricky Carmichael into the event gives this year s race a huge boost. The fact that Carmichael is so excited about the event shows his passion for the sport, and his enthusiasm for racing for his country is refreshing. Many in Europe consider the Honda factory rider the best motocross rider in the world. While the FIM could not make a comment on Carmichael's coming, FIM Motocross president Wolfgang Srb was happy to see the American team come to Zolder. "This event is the Olympics of motocross." Srb said. "To have America coming is important for the event. They are of course one of the top teams. and they will add something to the race. Of course we are happy to see them entered. " Several teams for the Motocross des Nations seem assured. Belgium will run with Stefan Everts. Joel Smets and Steve Ramon. although at present there is a problem between the Belgian federation and the Belgian riders. Each year, the federation collects sponsors for the race and then places those sponsors' names on the riders' jerseys. Everts has often complained about those sponsors. and this year he has said he will not race the des Nations if those sponsors are on his jersey. Both Smets and Everts are disappointed with the situation. The Australian team looks likely to include Chad Reed, Andrew McFarlane and Michael Byrne, aithough there is some doubt about Byrne due to availability of a bike (depending on which team he rides for). France is looking at having Mickael Pichon, Mickael Maschio and Stephane Roncada in its lineup, although there is also some doubt about the riders' being available. Italy will run with Alessio Chiodi, Andrea Bartolini and probably Manual Manni (Claudio Federici will have an operation on his wrist at the time of the event and is not available). The British team is not decided, although it will likely be James Dobb, Paul Cooper and Stephen Sword. The Dutch team is at present Erik Eggens, Oscar Vromans and Remy Van Rees. New Zealand looks likely to be Josh Coppins, Ben Townley and either Cody Cooper or Daryl Hurley. Heavy mist caused the Sunday program at the Grand Prix of Lierop to be changed dramatically. Despite temperatures reaching around 95 degrees Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the visibility around the Lierop circuit was around 30 percent on Sunday morning. The Bercy Supercross will once again be run as a 125cc event. With the introduction of so many 250cc four-strokes. the possibilities of many riders' competing in this year's event is looking good. At this moment. interest comes from several big-name riders. Held on the weekend of November 8- 10, the event organizers are hoping to see the greatest rider in the history of Bercy appear. Former King of Bercy David Vuiilemin may return to race his home Supercross. The Bercy organizers are also in talks with Jeremy McGrath, Mickael Maschio, Mickael Pichon, Andrew McFariane and severai other big names. It is understood that an unnamed American circuit has been offered a World Motocross Grand Prix in the near future. As is the case with many of the tracks on the FIM calendar, the circuit has been offered a three-year deal. with the Motocross des Nations going to the American circuit In 2005. At this moment, the Youthstream organization is very interested in working with the American promoler. although nothing is signed. Youthstream is still working on getting South Africa. Australia. Japan and America on the calendar next year or in 2005.