Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

in the past now. Y know, Pichon and I had many battles ou in 2004, and I often felt like he was riding dirty, but this time he just rode into me. I hit my shoulder pretty hard and also knocked my head. When I got up I was so angry, but I should have backed off and let it be." But at the Motocros s of Nations, Everts ret urned to his normal form. The MXoN is one event that Everts has more or less owned, winning his first MXoN in 1995 and backing up with wins in 1997, 1998,2003 and now 2004. This year, Everts put in an extra effort. "The Motocross des Nations is always one of the biggest races for me. I trained so hard to be ready for that race. I was riding in the sand twice a week, even when the Grand Prix season was going and we were racing on hard pack. I wanted to win this event, because last year I was beaten in the individual results by Ricky Carmichael, and I wanted to do better. I was disappointed the American team didn't come, but it was their bad luck because that track was really a nice tra ck to ride. If you like racing motocross, then it was a pity you missed racing there . I reallywanted to see what Ricky Carmichae l had on a track like Lierop. It's a really tough sand track, and I felt it would have suited me bett e r than Zolder the previous year." Not only have the past 15 years taken their toll on the body of Everts, so too has the arrival of his first child. When Liam Everts was born in early August, father Stefan changed forever. The grind of a world-class sportsman is hard, and Everts knows he won't spen d too many nights away from his child. He also knows that his chosen sport is a difficult one and does not like the idea of his son lying injured by a motocross bike. "The moment he was born I changed as a person," Everts said. "He is everyth ing for me now, Liam is so important for me . I know when I was growing up as a small boy I went to the motocross; I am not sure Liamwill be doing that . I will retire soon, and he won't have the same childhood I had. I want him to do whatever he wants , and motocross is tough. I'm not sure I want that for him." While the little Everts will decide his own future , his father will always look back at the time when he ruled Europe and crushed so many of his rivals. It's been a nice ride for Stefan Everts and one he knew would always be his own adventure. "You know, whe n I was at school, I always told the teachers I didn't want to study; I to ld them I am going to be a World Champion. That is a true story. I always believed I would do what I am doing now." And for the sport in Europe, does Stefan Everts feel like the sport is growing] Or, like many, does he believe the spo rt is stumbling along under the leadership of Youthstream? In 2005, no rider in Grand Prix racing will receive prize money, and that' s something that Everts feels is wr ong. "I see some positive things. I think Youthstream has some good ideas, but I do know that we nee d to pay the riders prize money. I don't need it, but the younger riders , they need it. They need to survive in the sport, and the only way they can do that is by the prize money. Without that, they won't be able to race and the sport will become less inte resting to younger ride rs." With the 2005 season over, Eve rts once again went about showing the world what an all-around rider he is, winning a Beach race in Englandand the final round of the Japanese Motocross Championship. The passion is still there. Now the only question that remains is, Can Stefan Everts move into his ISth year on the Grand Prix tra iland pinch another World title? Or, is the long career of the greatest GP MX racer over? O nly time will tell. eN 78 JANUARY 5, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS ". "I know it won't last forever,". Stefan Everts

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