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/128378
Belgian hero crossed the finish line a few bikelengths ahead of the New Zealander. "I found some good lines around the track, and I was always in control," Everts said, "even when Townley started pushing near the end. I'm very happy with my win at Namur. It was hard today, but it remains a very good place for me." For the young Townley, it was a disappointing day. "I wanted to win here today," Townley said, "and in the second race I proved that I am good enough to run at the front and with Stefan. It was really nice running with Everts; the crowd support is amazing. You can hear it when you near a section of the circuit and again when you're leaving. They were just going crazy." Completing the podium in the second moto was Joel Smets, with Mickael Pichon next and Jorgensen fifth. In the opening MX2 moto, it was a Yamaha rider from start to finish, with Antoine Cairoli taking the checkered nag well ahead of second place. Behind him, there wasn't much passing taking place. David Philippaerts held down second place for most of the moto, and only on lap three did Andrew McFarlane pass for second. Philippaerts, however, was quick to regain the runner-up position. In the end, McFarlane took third. Cedric Melotte crossed the line fourth, and Stephen Sword completed the top-five. For McFarlane, with his third, he put himself in excellent contention for the overall victory. The second MX2 moto victory went to Kawasaki rider Sword, just ahead of McFarlane. For McFarlane, though, the runner-up finish was enough to give him his second Grand Prix victory of his career after he won the Grand Prix of Italy last season. The Aussie showed smarts as he led the race early, only to hand the lead to Sword on lap three, he then cruised to the overall victory. Third in the second moto was Belgian hero Melotte. McFarlane was more than happy with his results. "Things went really well," McFarlane said, "and with so many GPs to go and everybody very even in the standings, this actually feels like taking a fresh start. I just felt very comfortable this weekend, and the two good starts were of course a big help. Because the conditions were very tricky out there, I knew how important it was to stay out of trouble, and that's exactly what I did. It was my goal before Namur to move things forward here, because finally I'm completely healthy and I know that the team and I are ready for the job, so I'm very satisfied with this result. Since I've lived in Belgium for quite some time now, this win has a really nice touch to it as well." Even a fall in the second moto couldn't stop Sword from winning. For the British rider, though, the moto win was bittersweet. While it was a victory nonetheless, he still lost the overall by only one point. "I thought McFarlane was right on me and that he would take the lead [when I fell]," Sword said. '" didn't realize that I had such a lead, but I held on and took the win. It was unfortunate that he [McFarlane] took the overall by a single point, but I am very pleased that I could give the new bike its first taste of victory." CN GRAND PRIX OF BELGIUM NAMUR, BELGIUM RESULTS: MAy 8, 2005 (ROUND 4 OF 17) MX I MOTO I: I. Brian Jorgensen (Yam): 2. Stefan EvertS (Yam): 3. Marvin Van Daele (Hon); 4. Hiekael Pichon (Hon); 5. Joel $mets (Suz): 6. Josh Coppins (Hon): 7. Ben Townley (KTM): 8. James Noble (Hon): 9. Steve Ramon (KTM); 10. Tanel Leak (Kaw): II. Jussi Vehvilainen (Hon); 12. Paul Cooper (Hon); 13. Antti Pyrhonen (TM); 14. Karnel Nemeth (Suz): 15. Ken De Dijcker (Hon). MX I MOTO 2: I. Stefan Everts (Yam); 2. Ben Townley (KTM): ). Joel Smets (Suz): 4. Mickael Pichon (Hon); 5. Brian Jorgensen (Yam); 6. Josh Coppins (Hon); 7. Antoine Mea (Husky); 8. Steve Ramon (KTM): 9. Tanel Leok (Kaw); 10. Marvin Van Daete (Han); II. Ken De Dijcker (Han); '2. Danny Theybers (Yam); 13. James Noble (Hon); 14. Pascal leuret (Han); IS. Yoshr Atsuta (Suz). MX I OVERALL: I. Stefan Everts (Yam); 2. Brian Jorgensen (Yam); 3. Ben Townley (KTM); 4. Joel Smets (Suz); 5. Mrckael Pichon (Han); 6. Marvin Van Daele (Han); 7. Josh Coppins (Han); 8. Steve Ramon (KTM): 9. Tanel leok (Kaw): 10. James Noble (Han); II. Antoine Meo (Hus); 12. Ken De Drjcker (Han): 13. Paul Cooper (Hon): 14. Pascal Leuret (Hon); 15. Danny Theybers (Suz). MX2 MOTO I: I. Antoine Cairoli (Yam); 2. David Philippaerts (KTM); 3. Andrew McFarlane (Yam); 4. Cedric Melotte (Yam); S. Stephen Sword (Ka.w); 6. Mickael Maschro (Yam); 7. Alessio Chiodi (Yam); 8. Patrick Caps (Hon): 9. Carl Nunn (KTM): 10. M", Nagl (KTM): II. Davide Guarneri (Yam): 12. Manuel Monni (KTM); 13. Billy Mackenzie (Yam); 14. Matti Seistola (Han); IS. Rul Goncalves (Yam). MX2 MOTO 2: I. Stephen Sword (Kaw); 2. Andrew McFarlane (Yam); 3. Cedric Melotte (Yam): 4. Patrick Caps (Han); 5. Alessio Chiodi (Yam); 6. Rui Goncalves (Yam); 7. Aigar leak (KTM); 8. Anthony Boissiere (Yam); 9. Christophe Pourcel (Kaw); 10. Carl Nunn (KTM); II. Manuel Monni (KTM): 12. Tom Church (Kaw); f J. Pierre Renet (Yam); 14. Matteo Bonini (Hon); IS. Davide Guarneri (Yam). MX2 OVERALL: I. Andrew McFarlane (Yam); 2. Stephen Sword (Kaw); J. Cedric Melotte (Yam); 4. Alessio Chiodi (Yam); 5. Patrick Caps (Hon): 6. Antonio Cairoli (Yam); 7. Carl Nunn (KTM); 8. David Philippaerts (KTM); 9. Rui Goncalves (Yam); 10. Manuel Monni (KTM); II. Anthony Boissiere (Yam); 12. Christophe Pourcel (Kaw); 13. Davide Guarneri (Yam); 14. Mickael Maschio (Yam); 15. AJ&" look (KTM). FIM WORLD MXI CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 4 of 17 rounds): I. Stefan Everu (I 7213wins); 2. Mickael Pichon (145); J. Josh Coppins (131); 4. Joel Smeu (132); 5. Ben Townley (121/1 win); 6. Steve Ramon (100); 7. Paul Cooper (79); 8. James Noble (76); 9. Brian Jorgensen (75); 10. Ken De Dijcker (70): II. Antti Pryhonen (56); 12. Marvin Van Daefe (53); 13. Danny Theybers (53); 14. Pascal leuret (52); 15. Jussi Vehvilainen (48). FIM WORLD MXl CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 4 of 17 rounds): I. Antoine Cairoli (147/1 win); 2. Alessio Chiodi (135/1 win); 3. Stephen Sword (121); 4. Cedric Melotte (114); 5. Andrew McFarlane (110/1 win); 6. Tyla Rattray (9011 win); 7. Billy Mackenzie (79); 8. Patrick Caps (78); 9. Carl Nunn (77); 10. Mickael Maschio (76): II. Anthony Botssiere (71); 12. Rui Goncalves (68); 13. Christophe Pourcel (60); 14. Erik Eggens (53): IS. Matteo Bonini (51). (left) The MX2 podium (from left to right): Stephan Sword, McFarlane and Cedric Melotte. (Bottom left) Ben Townley pressured Everts in the second moto but couldn't moke 0 pass. Townley finished Ittird overall. (Bottom right) McFarlane rode consistent and smart all day to record his first Grand Prix victory since winning last year's Grand Prix of Italy. CYCLE NEWS • MAY 18, 2005 31