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overall win but is also the new leader in
the MX2 series points standings.
just as Everts had some luck on his side,
so too did Cairoli. Series favorite Tyla
Rattray ended his day in Portugal in the
back of an ambulance, as he crashed hard in
tum one of the second MX2 moto, injuring
his shoulder and missing the chance to battle with his rivals. Cedric Melotte, of the
Rinaldi Yamaha team and another heavy
favorite when the season began a month
ago, also struggled with injures he picked
up on Saturday in Portugal.
Cairoli is not concerned about his rivals,
though, and is excited to be in the position
he is in. He knows his form is better than
ever as he marches on to Namur in two
weeks with his confidence building.
"I will remember this race for a long
time, because it's my first double win,"
Cairoli said. "Even if the track was ruined
with the rain, I really enjoyed it, I like sand
and mud. I knew that I could do well here,
because I was sure to have good starts. In
the second heat, Chicco [Alessio Chiodi]
got the holeshot, and I was looking to overtake him. He left a small space, and I passed
him on a double jump; it was close, but we
didn't touch each other. The next GP is in
Belgium. It will be like a home GP for me,
because for two years now, I have been
based there. I won my first GP in Namur,
and I will do my best there. My goal is to
keep the red plate as long as possible."
Chiodi, who has won three World
12Scc Championships in his career, finished
a strong second in Portugal. The veteran of
the class went 4-4 for second place, and he
is second in the championship points, some
19 points away from Cairoli.
"The second moto was very difficult
for me in the last three laps," Chiodi said.
"I made a mistake on the step-up. I was
too late changing a rut and made the front
end flip up. It was a big crash, and I hit my
head pretty hard - the bike also landed on
me. I also broke the silencer, and I was just
happy to finish the race without injury.
Both races were hard today due to the
surface of the track. It was really wet and
one-lined, and getting out of the start was
so important. To finish second today was
very important for the championship."
For Coppins, it was the chance to really
make some progress on the other riders in
the MX I championship points. On the really rough circuit, starts were critical, and
Coppins just didn't get the jump he wanted
in the opening moto. Having come close to
taking the Grand Prix overall in Spain last
weekend, Coppins looked at coming to
Portugal and making progress in the points
race. With his two consistent results, he is
now third in the championship.
"Of course you like to win," Coppins
said. "The season has been up and down
since I hurt my shoulder in Hawkstone
Park. I was disappointed to not win last
week in Spain. First race I had a good
start, but then I could not jump the step
up and many riders were passing me
quickly. I pushed hard and was behind
Ben, then I passed him and closed in on
jussi, but I could not pass him. It was
tough for me, as I fought the whole race.
"In the second moto, my start was better," Coppins said. "I followed joel [Smets]
in fourth place for a while. He was a little
out of control, and I passed him. I was not
happy with last weekend in Spain, when
he passed me a little rough. People were
making mistakes today, you see many
injuries, and riders were making mistakes
all over the track. I was just happy to be
able to control my situation and get some
points back on the other riders."
CN
AGUEDA CIRCUIT
AGUEDA, PORTUGAL
REsul.IS: APRIL 24, 2005 (ROUND 3
Of
17)
HX I MOTO I: I. Stefan Evens (Yam): 2. Luigi Seguy
(Yam): 3. Jun, VehvnaJnen (Hoo): 4. J",h Copp;m (Hoo): S.
Pascal leuret (Hon): 6. Ann! Pyrhonen (TM); 7. Ken De
Oijeker (Hon): 8. Manuel Priem (Yam); 9. Steve Ramon
(KTM); 10. Potul Cooper (Hon); II. Yoshi Alsuta (Suz): 12.
Kamel Nemeth (Suz): 13. Mark Huck~bndge (Hon); 11.
Ben Townley (KTM): I S. Antoine Mee (Husky).
MXI MOTO 1: I. Mickael Pichon (Hon): 2. Josh
Coppins (Hon): 3. Stefan Everts {Yam}: .... Steve Ramon
(KTM): S. Joel Smea (Su,): 6. Paul Coope, (Hoo): 7. Y",hi
Atsuta (Suz); 8. Danny Theybel"5 (Suz): 9. James Noble (Hon);
10. Jussi Vetwilainen (Hon); II. Marvin Van Daele (Han); 12.
Pascal Leuret (Hon): 13. Jonathan Barragan (KTM); 1-4. Aaron
Bernardez (Hon); 15. Antoine Meo (Husky).
MX I OVERALL: I. Stefan Everts (45); 2. Josh Coppins
(40); 3. Jussi Vehvilainen (31); 4. Steve Ramon (30); 5. Paul
Cooper (26); 6. Mickael Pichon (25); 7. Pascal Leuret (25);
8. Yoshi Acsuta (2-4); 9. Luigi Seguy (2-4); 10. Anni Pyrhonen
(21): II. Danny Theybe" (18): 12. Manuel Priem (18): 13.
JoelSmecs (16); 14. Ken De Dircker (14); 15. Marvin Van
Daele (13).
FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MXI SERIES POINTS
STANDINGS (After 3 of 17 rounds): I. Stefan Everts
(12Sl2wms): 2. Mickael Pichon (109): 3. Josh Coppi'" (101):
4. Joel Smeu (96): S. Ben Townley (BS/I): 6. Steve Ramon
(7S): 7. Paul eoope<' (68): 8. J.."., Noble (SS): 9. Ken De
Dijcker (5"); 10. Kevin Strijbos ("8): II. Antti Pyrhonen
(43): 12. Danny Theyben (42): 13. Pasca1 Leu,", (40): 14.
Jussi VeIMlaJnen (38): 15. Komel Nemeth (36).
MX2 MOTO I: I. Antoine Cairoli (Yam); 2. Tyla
Rattr.ty (KTM); 3. MlCkael Maschio (yam); ... Alessio Chiodi
(Yam); 5. DaVKte Guarneri (Yam); 6. Chmtophe Pourcel
(Kaw): 7. Anthony _ e (Yam): 8. Ru; Gona!ve> (Yam):
9. PauickCaps (Han); 10. BdlyMackenrie (yam); II. Matteo
BoninI (Hoo): 12. AJg..-1..eok (KTM): 13. Tom Chu,ch (Kaw):
14. Stephen SWO