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/128374
Yamaha Unveils Aluminum-Framed Thumpers As expected, Yamaha debuted its aluminum-framed YZ250 (left) and 450Fs (right) at the apenlng round of the All-Japan National MX Series in Japan over the weekend. Cervantes Wins Portuguese World Enduro KTM's Ivan CelVantes extended his lead in the Enduro I class of the World Enduro Championship with a strong double class victory in Fatima, Portugal, April 9-10, the Spaniard winning by 20 seconds on day one and 21 seconds on day two to keep his perfect win record intact after two rounds. On both days, CelVantes beat Honda's Simone Albergoni and KTM's Alessandro Belomeni, the Italians finishing second and third, respectively, Saturday and Sunday. UFO Corse Yamaha rider Stefan Merriman, meanwhile, saw his lead in the Enduro 2 World Enduro Championship disappear on the opening day when the Australian was forced to retire after injuring his left knee. Landing awkwardly from a jump, the reigning Enduro I World Champion had no option but to retire from the day, scoring no championship points, before returning to competition on day two and claiming victory ahead of his championship rival Samuli Aro. KTM's Arc claimed victory on day one, and the Finn also took over the lead in the E2 World Championship, after coming out on top of a close-fought battle with Frenchman Fabien Planet. Italian Alessandro Botturi finished third. Technical information was scarce, but the bikes feature aluminum perimeter framel, and the YZ450's motor is repartedly significantly updated. McLevy Magnificent at OMA National Josh McLevy picked up his first-ever and long-overdue Pro win at the second round of the Parts Unlimited Off-Road Motorcycle and ATV Nationals in Decatur, Arkansas, on April 10. "That's the first time I've ever won any- thing!" he said from the podium. The Throttlehead.com/Kenda/Moose Kawasaki KX2S0-mounted rider took the lead just before the halfway point of the twohour race and went on to win. KTM-mounted Shane Watts worked his way up from a slow start to finish second, while Suzuki rider Brian Garrahan finished third. Fourth place went to KTM-mounted Nathan Kanney, while fifth went to Yamaha rider Justin Williamson. Defending champ Jimmy Jarrett suffered mechanical problems after nabbing the holeshot. He was unable to finish the race. On day two, less than two seconds separated winner Merriman from Aro as the pair topped Planet by some 30 seconds. After two rounds of the championship, Aro holds a seven-point lead over Planet with Merriman a further seven points behind. "On day one I landed from a jump into a comer and put my foot down because my bike slipped away from me a linle bit," Merriman explained in a team release. "That tweaked my left knee really badly. It gave way underneath me and I heard a cracking noise, which people have told me happens when you damage ligaments in your knee. I was in incredible pain at the time, but I tried to continue for anoth- er couple of hundred meters, but the pain didn't go away. I could only stand on one leg, so there was no way I could race on. I stopped, which was disappointing, but I didn't really have a choice. The doctor gave me some really strong pain killers for day two, but I was finding it really difficu It to ride and I thought that there was no way I was going to be able to continue. Thankfully the painkillers started to work and I was able to ride okay. I had to push and try and win, because it is impossible to ride at 90 percent just to try and get some points. I just tried to forget about it as much as possible and the day went well. I didn't make any big mistakes and managed to win." 8 APRil 20, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS Josh Mclevy celebrates his first major oH-road victory at the OMA National in Arkansas. Abbott Wins Utah National Hare & Hound Kawasaki's Destry Abbon sUlVived the cold temperatures and snowy conditions in Utah to win the third round of the AMA National Championship Hare & Hound Series in Jericho, April 9. The defending champ, Abbon, passed teammate David Pearson and early leader Russ Pearson during the first loop and went on to record his first win of the year, with room to spare. Series points leader Russ Pearson, on the Montclair Yamaha/Zip-Ty Racing YZ4S0F, held on to finish second, followed by his cousin David Pearson, Honda rider Kendall Norman and T.J. Hannifin, the 25Occ-c1ass winner. By scoring the victory, Abbon pulled fIVe points on Russ Pearson in the series standings but is still fIVe points behind the '03 champ, in second.