Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

Yamaha personnel. "It's always good to win in japan, and it is also Sugo, which is owned by Yamaha," Mackenzie said. ''A lot of Japanese mechanics here. "I made a quick pass on [Mickael) Maschio early, managed to pull away and had a big lead in the early laps," Mackenzie said. "I made a mistake and fell down in a comer, got up in front, but [Antonio) Cairoli had caught me. I came past, and I could not do anything about it. I knew my speed was good from the first race. I got the holes hot, and I just tried to put in some megafast lap times to pull a gap. I knew [Stephen) Sword was behind me and he would be pushing hard. It was an awesome race: 10 minutes to go, I started to sweat, and I had to tell myself to start breathing." Second place was series leader Cairoli from Italy. The Yamaha rider went 1-3 to extend his championship lead to 14 points over fellow Italian Alessio Chiodi. Cairoli, who has won five motos so far this season, has so far been the most consistent rider in the MX2 class. "The first race, [Mackenzie) was fast in the first part," Cairoli said. "I was behind him to look for some lines, but I knew I just had to go fast. After I passed him, I took a good lead. "In the second race, the start was good, but in the first corner, two or three riders passed me," Cairoli continued. "I was behind Chiodi, and that slowed me down. I passed him, but I had trouble with My OWN 5 Josh Coppins Mackenzie went 2-1 for the win. Word in the paddocks is that New Zealand is pushing to host a round of the Grand Prix Series soon. Also on the list of possibly hosting a Grand Prix round in the near future are Tiawan and Australia. China is now off the list after having a less-thanimpressive MotoGP race a few weeks ago. Youthstream is looking at the possibilities of holding the Motocross of Nations in the United States in 2007. It is expected that England will host the Motocross of Nations next year, but a venue has not been announced. Having looked at ways to make America interested in this historical event, Youthstream has decided it is time to come the America again. An official press release from Youthstream is expected soon. Only 44 competitors made the trip from Europe to japan. The remaining MX I and MX2 riders came from the japanese Championship and were noticeably off the pace compared to the faster GP regulars. The Sugo Circuit was beautifully prepared, much to the liking of Frenchman Michael Pichon. Pichon, who took his sixth pole position on Saturday, has been critical of the European tracks as of late. "The japanese are looking a lot at America," Pichon said. "You can see this track is similar to an America track. In Europe, the track organizers say that they know what they are doing; they always do the same hard track and water it. They don't change the way they make the track." RAce 4·4,4th (MX I) josh CoppIns had a consistent day and just missed out on a podium finish, "In the first heat, I pretty much had the holeshot. but then [Brian] Jorgensen ran me wide, and then Ben (T0wnley] passed me • jorgensen also passed me," CoppIns said. '1oe1 [Smets] was behind me, and I pulled away from him, I stnJllled with the bike and was not riding wry well. The second heat, I got another good stert, but Ben and joel passed me early on, and then , pretty much stayed with that group the whole time, I had some battles with Joel, and he was slowing me down a little. , wish I could have passed him, We dosed In on Ben, , tried again to pass Smets, but, ran into the back of him and lost three or four seconds. That was my race. I am disappointed, and I could have done better, I have to dig deeper in the next races.' 30 Ben Townley 3·DNF, 10th (MX I) KTM's Ben Townley had a sure podium finish but lost It when his rnotIlf' broke a few laps from the finish of the second mow, Otherwise, Townley had a good day. "I had a reasonable start In the first race and came through pretty well," he said. '" lot to Stefari's back wheel. Iguess I got into his rhythm a bit too much, as I didn't really progress and pass him. The second race was lust chaos in the first lap. I lost a f_ positions but then slowly moved my way up. From there, I had 1111 awesome ride and was making up good time on Pichon and Everts. After I lot by Pichon, I was focusing on Everts and had him set up. but with three laps to go, my race was over!" 4 Stephen Sword Briefly••. 6·2,4th (MX2) Ann pump slowed Stephen Sword In the first MX2 moto, but he recovered In between motos to finish second in round two and take fourth overaH. "My start wasn't that good [in the first mota]," Sword said. ". had the InSide Hne but started just InSide the top lOon lap one. I caught up to [Andrew] McFarlan. by lap silt of 20; I was in sixth place. We both managlld to get by [Mlda!dl] Masc;hlQ, but during the last couple of laps, I couldn't really do much, as I had enn pump and was fOrced to settle for tmn." AItf!I maklng suspeoslon cf1an&es between races, Sword ClII1l8 OUt swinging In the second mow. "I made a much batter start." Sword said of the second moto. "I was rJaht up there hehlnd the leader, MadlenzIe, howIrc mwed from fourth to second with halflllap. I tried to eateh Mackenzie, but he WII8 riding very well." my goggles. I was too far behind Melotte, so I had to stay in my position." Taking the final podium place in MX2 was Cedric Melotte, yet another Yamahamounted hero. He was among eight Yamaha riders that finished inside the top lOin japan. Melotte worked hard, although he never really got close enough to put any pressure on Mackenzie or Cairoli for the top two spots. eN SUGO CIRCUIT 5uGO, JAPAN RESULTS: MAY 28-29, 2005 (ROUND 6 Of 17) MX I MOTO I: I. Mickael Pichon (Han); 2. Stefan EvertS (Yam); 3. Ben Townley (KTM); 4. Josh Coppins (Hon); 5. Steve Ramon (KTM); 6. Joel Smets (Suz); 7. Brian Jorgensen (Yam); 8. Danny Theybers (Suz); 9. Jasmes Nobles (Hon); 10. Ken De Dijcker (Han); 11. Antti Pyrhonen (TM); 12. Paul Cooper (Hon); 13. Tanel Leak (Kaw); 14. Kamel Nemeth (Suz); 15. Pascal Leuret (Han). MX I MOT02: I. Stefan Everts (Yam): 2. Joel 5mets (Suz); 3. Mickael Pichon (Hon); 4. Josh Coppins (Hon); 5. James Noble (Hon); 6. Tanel Leak (Kaw): 7. Ken De Dijcker (Hon); 8. Steve Ramon (KTM); 9. Yoshi Atsuta (Suz); 10. Danny Theybers (Suz): II. Pascal Leuret (Hon); 12. Marvin Van Daele (Hon); 13. Paul Cooper (Hon); 14. Komel Nemeth (Suz); 15. Mark Hucklebridge (Han). FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MXI SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 6 of 17 rounds): I. Stefan Everts (251/4 wins); 2. Mickael Pichon (240/1 win); 3. Joel Smets (204); 4. Josh Coppins (203); 5. Ben Townley (168/1 win); 6. Steve Ramon (149); 7. James Noble (149); 8. Brian Jorgensen (121); 9. Ken De Dijcker (112); 10. Paul Cooper (98); II. Tanel Leek (94); 12. Danny Theybers (87); 13. Marvin Van Daele (83); 14. Antti Pyrhonen (83); 15. Pascal Leuret (80). MX2 MOTOI: I. Antonio Cairoli (Yam); 2. Billy Mackenzie (Yarn); 3. Cedric Melotte (Yam); 4. Andrew McFarlane (Yam); S. Stephen Sword (Kaw): 6. Mickael Maschio (Yam); 7. Alessio Chiodi (Yam); 8. Davide Philippaerts (KTM); 9. David Guarneri (Yam); 10. Matteo Bonini (Hon); I I. Patrick Caps (Han); 12. Manuel Manni (KTM); 13. Rui Goncalves (Yam); 14. Tom Church (Kaw); 15. Gareth Swanepoel (Kaw). Antonio Cairoli won the first MX2 moto. MX2 MOTOl: I. Billy Mackenzie (Yam); 2. Stephen Sword (!

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