So, just who is the best? According to Ben
lOwnIey, the answer is obvious. "The time for
all this 'they-are-better-than-us, we-are-bet.
ter-than-them' stuff now has to stop," Townley said. "Ricky [Carmichael] is the best rider
in the world, and after him it's a lot less obvi·
ous. I think it's pretty equal for the GP and
AMA riders."
(Above) The showdown between
Stefan Everts (1) and Carmichael
never materialized. Here, Tedesco
pressures the World champ in the
first MXl/MX2 mota. Team
Belgium finished third.
was a little bit stronger than me,
and I was struggling towards the
end. My start was much better in
the second moto, and I pushed
really hard early on, because I was
right at the front. I went on to take
third, and that was great."
eN
ERNIE CIRCUIT
ERNEE, FRANCE
RESULTS: SEPTEMBER
happy for the Belgian team that we
made the podium. It is my 13th podium
out of 13 MX of Nations, and that's
already quite special by itself."
Strijbos rode in the MX3 class and
went 6-8.
"The result is good for us," Strijbos
said. "I took two fairly bad starts today,
and the track was pretty rough, especially in that second heat, and that made
it difficult. I am happy to be on the podi.
um, and the best team made it to the
top."
Ramon was the top MX2 rider on the
day after going 9-3.
"My riding was good today," Ramon
said, "especially considering I have only
practiced twice with the bike this week.
I was surprised with my speed, actually.
In the first moto, I really had to push to
come to the front, because it was not
easy to pass the bigger bikes. [Torrelli]
25, 2005
MOTO I (MXIIMX2): I. Ricky Cannkhael
(Suz); 2. Joshua Coppins (Hon): 3. MickaeJ Pichon
(Han); 1. Tanel Leo!< (Kaw); 5. Steran Everts (Yam);
6. Ivan Tedesco (Kaw); 7. Sebastien Tortem (KTM);
8. Marc de Reuver (KTM); 9. Steve Ramon (KTM);
10. Billy Mackenzie (Yam); II. Carl Nunn (KTM);
12. Joaquim Rodrigues (Hon); 13. Aigar Leok
(KTM): I 't. Julian Bill (KTM); 15. Gareth Swanepoel
(Kaw).
MOTO 2 (MX2IMX OPEN): I. Ben Townley
(KTM); 2. Dam VuHlemin (Yam); 3. 5t..... Ramon
(KTM): ... DavKt Philippaerts (KTM); S. Kevin
Windham (Hon); 6. Kevin Strijbos (Suz): 1.
Francisco Garda Vteo (Hon); 8. Marc Ristori {Sin}:
9. Yoshitab AtsuQ (Suz): 10. ~tti ~st.ola (Hon);
II. Carl Nunn (KTM); 12. J"""" Noble (Han); 13.
Juss L.aansoo (Han); 14. And..... McFarlane (Yam); 15.
joadjm Rodrigues (Han).
MOTO 3 (OPEN/MX I): I. RicIcy CannKnael (502); 2.
Ben Townley (KTM); 3. KeY;n Winam (Han); 1. J""'""
Coppins (Han); 5. Miclcael Pon (Han); 6. Marc de Reo.M.(KTM); 7. Dam Vuillemln (Yam); 8. K.... Suijbo. (Suz); 9.
5tel>n Eve
