Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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8esuC81r'e. Frence . February eo. 2000 Beaucaire International Motocross had mastered the four-stroke Husqvarna - just as he had done with the aluminum-framed Honda in 1997. For the Everts camp, though, the sweetness of his runner-up position was soon lost. In the second moto, Everts stalled his Husqvarna on the start line. With the field racing into the distance, the Belgian made a gallant effort to pick up as many places as he could. After all, he wanted time on the bike in preparation for the upcoming GP season. After six laps Everts had moved into 19th place and was all set to pass another rider. As he moved into the line of a young French competitor, all went wrong. The slower rider baulked and moved into Everts' path. Everts escaped a near accident, and then flung his machine over a small jump. With his mind possibly still a little confused from the actions of the slower rider, Everts clipped a trackside post and fell. In the ensuing fall, Everts broke two bones in his left arm. His trip from the Beaucaire track would, once again, be in the back of an ambulance. "I went to pass a slower rider and then hit the post," Everts said. "I was really enjoying riding the new bike. I could have returned to the pits, but I wanted to get some laps under my belt. I will be back though; this is not By GEOFF MEYER (Above) Joel Smets appears to be adapting just fine to his new KTM, winning all three motos at the Beaucarie Intemational MX in France. (Right) Mickael Pichon wanned up at Beaucaire with a top-five finish. Broken bones for Stefan Everts and a resounding victory for Joel Smets made the annual Beaucaire Motocross International, once again, one of the highlights of the pre-Grand Prix season. The 31-year-old Smets was more than content with his first major win for KTM. It was Smets' second victory in Beaucaire in two years, and he was not about to talk about the 500cc World Championship. At least, not quite yet. "We did some work on the bike throughout the winter," Smets smiled. "I still have some time to spend on the bike. It's difficult after seven years with Husaberg to jump on this bike and go fast, but I'm learning fast. I won here last year and still did not win the championship. This is only the start for me." The biggest news out of Beaucaire was the injury to Everts. The four- 18 MARCH 8, 2000' cue I time World Motocross Champion arrived in Beaucaire this year with his new Husqvarna 570cc machine and hope of better fortunes than in his last appearance at the French track. It was one year ago that Everts lay prone on the track, his knee so badly mangled that his career appeared over. His recovery and return to the track became legendary in 1999, as the great Belgian rider again started winning Grands Prix and major events. Still though, this is the year 2000 and, yet again, Everts has questions to answer. Sure enough, he produced a brilliant second place in the first moto, riding like a legend and giving everyone the idea that he e n e .... so as bad as last year. I'm not out of the championship yet, no way." What of Smets? Making only his third race on the KTM machine, the tall blonde Belgian was awesome three motos, three wins. The three time World Motocross Champion's assault on his rivals was brutal. Smets' first-moto battle with Everts was everything everyone had come to expect. With seven World Championships between them, the two veterans proved they still have what it takes to win even more championships. "Stefan made it a tough race," Smets said. "I knew he would. I knew he had more than we saw in Koersel last week when he had some armpump trouble. You don't win four World Championships unless you have something. I am very happy to win though." Finishing behind Smets and Everts in that first moto was Suzuki's Mickael Pichon, who was followed across the finish line by Mickael Maschio, Yves Demaria, Pit Beirer, Joakim Karlsson, Frederic Bolley, Josh Coppins and Leon Giesbers, in that order. Smets' second moto was also brilliant. Making another good start, Smets led the riders around the twisting Beaucaire track. By half distance, Smets was under huge pressure by Kawasaki's Mickael Maschio. Maschio took the lead and held it for five laps until Smets had had enough. On lap seven, with four laps remaining, the Belgian took the lead and raced away with his second consecutive moto. Behind Smets came Demaria, Beirer, Maschio, Pichon, Bolley, Karlsson, Coppins, Giesbers and Peter Johansson..