Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

fl M W orld MXI/MX2 Motocross Champ ionship me and then made a pass toward the end of the race . I passed him back, and he had some misfortune with his shifter. The last eight days have really been tough for me. I tore a tendon in my left ankle and started off on crutches for a few days and stayed off the bike too. I have to thank the team of people who helped me keep positive - lowe this victory to them ." The heat and pace of the racing finally caught up to Rattray, as he once again fin ished behind his good friend and team mate, Townley. "My speed was good all day, but in the second race I hit the wall with about 10 minutes to go and felt really tired," Rattray said. '" did not have a good race in Portugal, and 1was able to show what I can really do here." In the first MX I race Steve Ramon took the holeshot on his KTM machine, followed by Cedric Melotte, Kevin Strijbos, local rider BasVerhoeven , Garcia Vico, Joel Smets and Mickael Pichon. Melotte made a move on the opening lap and clocked some very good lap times, while Strijbos, Smets, Everts and Pichon were battling behind him, The gap between the leader and his rivals increased to 13 seconds, and nobody was able to join Melotte, who got his second heat win of the season . Behind him the racing was great, but neithe r Ramon (on the fifth lap) nor Pichon (on the 10th lap) could avoid crashing out of the major contention. Everts took second place, with Joel Smets in third. Pichon came back to pass Strijbos for fourth on 19th lap. Bythe end of the race, six of the top seven were Belgian riders . 26 MAY 5,2004 • CYCLE N EWS 40th Anniversary "The co mpetition is so strong," Everts said. "We have so many riders w ho can now race at the front of the pack. The pace is not quicker than last year, but you're looking at more guys to race with. It's exciting, but it's really hard work." Pichon got the holeshot in the second moto, with Everts, Smets, Melotte, Josh Coppins and Kenneth Gundersen on his rea r wheel. Everts tried to push in the first laps, but Melotte was stronger and passed him on lap six. One lap later he took the lead, and two laps later Everts also passed Pichon and set out after his Yamaha teammate. The Belgian boys were dominating the race , and finally Everts found some energy in the second part of the race to put some pressure on Melotte . He passed his teammate and won the moto to take the Grand Prix win. Smets got his best result of the season as he passed Pichon for a third place. Everts was impressed with his team mate after the two battled hard in the second moto. A week earlier the two had also battled hard in a round of the Belgian championship . "Cedric was just amazing today," Everts said. "Even when taking the lead in the second race, he was going for a faster pace ; he was pushing me really hard . I was very close to my maximum speed , but I knew I had to stay with him until he would tire. In the championship , every thing is going accord ing to plan for me. But I know it will be a hard and long season . Gett ing some rest in between the GPs will be crucial." As for Melotte, the younger of the L&M Yamaha riders didn't get the overall,

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