Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

FIM World Championship 500cc MX Series Round 1 : Broadford MX Park STORY AND PHOTOS By GEOFF MEYER BROADFORD,AUSTRAUA,MAR.19 J oel Smets proved that if anyone really wants this year's 500cc crown that they're going to have go through him first. Smets, who has ridden roughshod over his rivals in the pre-season races, was in a class of his own in Australia, winning the first moto after a battle with two young Australians: Andrew McFarlane and Michael Byrne. Then he came back to pass Darryll King with only one lap remaining in the second moto. "The Australian riders impressed me: Smets said. "In the first moto, I IAbove) Danyll King rode his works Husqvama to a did not know who they were; I second-place finish in the second moto and third thought, 'who are these guys?" ·overall. (Right) KTM's Joel Smets proved that he's Andrew McFarlane never gave up in serious about getting the 500cc MX Worid tiUe back after winning both motos at the series opener in that first moto, and I expect they will Australia. (Below) Aussie Andrew McFarlane gave only improve on this result." the home crowd something to cheer about after Finishing in second place overall running up front in the first moto. He ended up was Yamaha's Marnicq Bervoets with 2-3 results, while third place went to "I made a small crash and lost New Zealand's Darryll King with 6-4 several places: Smets said. "I needresults. ed to just relax and take my time. I Bervoets was over the moon with knew on this track with all the small his result. His overall placing surcorners, it would be difficult to get prised the Yamaha-mounted rider. past riders." "I thought I rode okay: Bervoets Back in around 20th place, Smets said. "I was not sure what to expect picked away at the field until he was with this being my first 500cc Grand into fifth place behind McFarlane, Byrne, Bervoets and Shayne King. Prix ever. I did not like the track, and Still, the Aussie riders were the talk in the second moto, I got a lot of mud of the track, McFarlane proving to be in my goggles. I took them off and it the quickest rider for the first part of was difficult to race with King and the moto. Smets, as the stones were hitting me. Byrne was also looking ahead I did not want a stone in my face." rather than behind. The HondaKing, who had started the year mounted rider kept McFarlane in with some poor results, was unlucky sight for several laps. . not to finish even better after letting "Because we are rivals in Aussie, I backed that up with a consistent Smets through on the last lap. just wanted to race him: Byrne said. ninth in the second moto. "I'm gutted: King said. "It's the "I was a little surprised by it all; the "I am not surprised how it went: first time that I have lost a moto on European riders just were not attackMcFarlane said. "I knew I could get a the last lap. Joel really rode hard into ing us." good start on the Kawasaki. Once I me on the pass, but he deserves to Smets, though, was working hard got into the lead I felt I had a good win, he rode so tough." as he moved past Bervoets for third chance to hold onto it." Andrea Bartolini finished in fourth place. This is when the Aussies would When the riders arrived at the place overall with 7-4 moto finishes. feel the full brunt of the world's best Broadford venue, many were more For the defending World Champion, it motocross rider. than happy with the complex. Smets was a luck day. "I moved past Bryne, and he just was one of those riders. "I am a little surprised with the passed me back again," Smets said. "This is a great facility," he said. result: Bartolini said. "I injured my "I had to fight to get him. I looked "We have many tracks in Europe, shoulder earlier in the year, and my ahead and thought, 'who the hell is some good and some bad; this one preparation was not good. I have that in the lead? I've passed all the would rate as good as anything we some pain in my right hand, and I top European riders.'" have for sure." could hardly hold on near the end of While Smets moved onto the back The opening moto of the day the second moto. Now with this wheel of McFarlane, everyone in proved to be just what the already Grand Prix over, I can prepare better attendance went wild as the world's successful Yamaha Australian Grand for the next race in Italy, my home best raced side by side with AusPrix needed: McFarlane and Byrne Grand Prix." tralia's best. When Smets did pass blitzing out of the start gate and movFifth place went to McFarlane, who McFarlane, the Kawasaki rider did not ing into first and second places by let him go. was riding a two-stroke Kawasaki. turn two. While the two young The young Aussie - who had finished "He just stuck to my back wheel," Aussies consistently clocked better fourth overall in last year's Motocross Smets said. "I thought, 'Okay, I've times than their European riva Is, past him, that's the difficult part,' but des Nations - led the first moto for he came back at me. He rode with Smets was making up for lost time several laps before Smets raced past real fire, J like that in a rider." him, finally finishing in third place. He after a sma II error. 19IO~ingii3i-i9~f~O~r~fifth~io~v;e~ra~I:I':~~i~~i~§~:£;;~ 34 ApRIL 5, 2000' cue I e n e _ 50 McFarlane, racing a two-stroke, started losing places as rain began to fall on the track. The already slippery surface was now like ice. Bervoets slipped by McFarlane for second behind Smets, yet the results with McFarlane in third and Byrne in fourth gave the huge crowd something to hoot about. Shayne King held on for fifth place, followed by Darryll King, Andrea Bartolini, Wille Van Wessels, Peter Johansson and Chris Burnham. With the rain now pouring, the track became a complete mess. If the Aussies were looking for European conditions, then this was it. As the riders bolted out of the start gate for the second moto, it was New Zealand's Darryll King and defending World 500cc Champion Bartolini who jumped out in front. Bartolini, who was still suffering from a sore hand, led the riders into the first lap. It would be a short-lived lead, though, as he crashed into a slower rider on lap six and dropped back to midfield. Darryl King, taking a big chance, took the lead, while Smets was held up in 10th place, and McFarlane was around 15th place. Byrne was miles behind and sucking up more mud than he could ever imagine. Lap after lap, King held court, while Smets fought Bervoets and Shayne King. By lap 10, Smets had moved in behind Darryl King and was starting to make up ground. "I saw Darryll up ahead and knew he would be tough to catch: Smets said. King was riding brilliantly, making the muddy conditions look easy. In fact, King's lead increased for a few laps, then, with only one lap remain-

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