Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

- I MOTOCROSS flawless rides by Mickael Pichon in the two MX3 motos, The lead rider of the French team produced 1-3 results but really struggled with the tough track and fatigue from his trip from South Africa the week earlier. "This track was one of the roughest I have ever r idde n," Pichon said. "I enjoyed it so much , but it was hard work. My legs are dead now, and you really had to work with your legs all the way around the track. It was not easy, and I am happy France could get onto the podium." Pichon 's two teammates also presented themselves well , with 19-yearold Sebastien Pou rcel scoring 14-17 places in the MX2 class and Antonio October 3 , 2004 ' ~ FIM Fox Motocross of Nations Meo going 9-14 in the MX I class. The 2004 Fox Motocross of Nations reverted back to the old format of three motos, the first being for MX2 and MX I riders, the second for MX3 and MX2 riders, and the third for MXI and MX3 riders . The opening moto of the Fox Motocross of Nations saw the MX I riders against the MX2 ride rs, and , from the moment Holland's Marc de Reuver jumped out of the start, the huge crowd had something to get excited about. The KTM factory rider led the first 12 laps, with Everts behind him, but de Reuver eventually tired and handed the lead to the Belgian. Everts , with a clear track, won by 22 seconds over de Reuver and New Zealand's Coppins. Filling out the top five were Finland's Jussi Vehvilainen and Estonia's Tanel Leok. New Zealand led after the opening moto with nine points, with Holland second with 13 points, and Belgium third with 14. "It's always important to get off to a good start," Everts said. "Marc did not surprise me ; I know his sand skills, but I also knew I just had to push hard and the win would come ." In the second moto, it was the MX3 riders against MX2 riders, and th is time it was another Dutchman, Erik Eggens, who bolted out of the start gate and led the field around the first lap. After one lap though, Pichon took the lead and began to walk away with the race . Further back in the field, Strijbos and Juss Laansoo were holding down the th ird- and fourth place positions, respectively, with Tyla Rattray moving into fifth place midrace . Pichon eventually won by 35 seconds over Strijbos, Laansoo, Rattray and Finland's Antti Pyrhonen . Townley retired from the race on lap I I with a dead motor, dropping New Zealand from the front of the points . Belgium took over the lead and, after two motos, had 23 points, with Holland in second with 30 and Eston ia in third place with 36. "I was surprised by Eggens in th at first lap," Pichon said. "His speed was very good and I was doing all I could to keep with hirn, He then made a mistake and I could get by for the win." With Belgium well ahead in the points race , it was going to take a huge effort from the Dutch and French teams to pull the Belgians back. De Reuver pulled off Holland's th ird consecutive surprise, as he led the moto, although beh ind him came Everts , Pichon and Strijbos. Belgium was in the driver's seat to defend its championsh ip. At the end of lap one, Everts passed de Reuver, and Pichon and Strijbos soon followed . The Belgians we re now first and third and, just like in the A Final from the 2003 event, were riding well. It was obvious as the race closed out that Everts was not going to be beaten, and while de Reuver came back to pass both Pichon and Strijbos, he came up just short of passing Everts on the last lap of the race. Everts won and Belgium got enough points to wrap up the championship. Second went to a very excited de Reuver, followed by Pichon, Gareth Swanepoel from South Africa, and Leek. Strijbos had dropped back to sixth, although he knew all he needed to do was finish the race and the Belgians would be champ ions. "I felt good," Everts said. "This track was just like a big set of whoops. I have never seen a track like this, and it took a lot of energy to race on this type of circuit. I felt strong near the end and could maintain my lead and take the win. I am so happy to lead the younger riders from Belgium; they will be the guys who will take the sport in my country into the next era." eN Fox MOTOCROSS Of NATIONS l.lEROP, HOLlAND RESULTS: OCTOBER 3, 2004 MX I/MX2: I . Ste fan Eve rts (Y am); 2. Marc de Reuver (KTM); 3. Josh Coppins (Hon); 4. Jussi Vehvilainen (Hon); 5. Tanel Leak (Suz); 6. Ben Townley (KTM); 7. Tyla Rattray (KTM); 8. Gor do n Crock ard (Ho n); 9. Anto ine Mea (Kaw); 10. Gareth Swanepoel (KTM); I I. Erik Egge ns (KTM); 12. Jonathan Bar ragan (KTM); 13. Steve Ramon(KTM); 14. Rui Goncalves (Yam); I S. Billy MacKenzie (Yam). MX2l0PEN: I . Mickael Pichon (Hon); 2. Kevin Strijbos (Suz); 3. Juss Iaanscc (Hon); 4. Tyla Rattray (KTM); 5. Anni Pyrhonen {t rn): 6. Blair Ma rga n (Yam); 7. Steve Ramon (KTM); 8. Bas Ve rhoeven (Ha n); 9. Eric Egge ns (KTM); 10. Yoshi Atsuta (Ho n); I I. Paul Cooper (Hon); 12. Aigar Leok (KTM); 13. C heyne Boyd (KTM); 104. Sebastien Po urce l (Kaw ); IS. Daryl Hurley (Suz) . MX I/OPEN : I. Stefan Eve rts (Yam); 2. Marc de Reuver (KTM): 3. Mickael Pichon (He n): 04 . Garath Swanepoel (KTM); 5. Tane l Leek (Suz) ; 6. Kevin Strijbos (Suz): 7. Rui Goncalves (KTM); 8. Jussi Vehvilainen (Ho n); 9. Antt i Pyrhonen (TM) • 10. Billy MacKenzie (Yam) : I I. Gordon Crockard (Ha n); 12. Paul Cooper (Han); 13. Jean Sebas tie n Roy (Ha n): 104 . Antoine Meo (Kaw); 15. Bas Ve rh oeve n (Ho n). TEAM O/A : I. Belgium ( 17); 2. The Netherlands (32); 3. Fra nce (04 1); 4. Estonia (041); 5. South Africa (04 1): 6 . Finland (46); 7. New Zealand (76); 8. Can ad a (79); 9. Great Britain (86) : 10. Portugal (90): I I. Germany ( I OS): 12. Spain ( 115); Il. Austraha ( l iB); 14 . 1,.I.nd ( 123); IS. Italy ( Il l) . The winner trio: (Left to right) Everts, Strijbos and Ramon. 1f~"J');. 34 OCTOBER 13, 2004 • CYCLE NEWS 40th Anniversary IVI U &I'" _ . - - -

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