Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

FIM World Champ io n s hip 1 25/250/500c c M X S erie s R o und 14: Circuit Kue le b ie r g (Y a m) ; 7 . D an n y Th e yb e rs ( KT M) ; 8 . Juss i Veh vilainen ( Han) : 9. J oak im Eli asson (Yam ) : 10. A l ex Bel om ett i (Ka w ) ; 11. Peter lv en ( Kaw ); 12 . Pierri ck Paget (Han ): 13. Justin Morri s (Yam ) : 14 . Eric Sorby (Suz); 15. Dam ien Denil (Kaw ). O/ A : 1. Fred Bailey (Han); 2. Gordon Crocka rd (Hon); 3 . Josh Copp ins (Suz); 4 . Paul Coope r (Hue): 5. C la ud io Fe deric i (Ya m ) ; 6 . D ann y T he yb ers (KTM) : 7. A lex Zanni (Yam): 8. Mick ael Pichon (Suz); 9. Ju ssi Vehvilainen (Hon) : 10. Yves Dem aria (Yam ). (Yam ): 12. Steve Ram on (Kaw): 13. Tram pas Parker (TM); 14 . Enrico Oddenino (KTM ): 15. Ivan Lazzarini (Han ). O/ A ; 1. M ik e Brown ( Hon ): 2. Grant Langston (K TM ); 3. Patric k Caps ( KTM ); 4 . Tra mp as Parker ( T M): 5 . Th o m a s T r a v ersin i ( Hus) ; 6 . C ri st ian Ravagli a (Suz ): 7 . Ja mes Do bb (K TM); 8 . Steve Ram o n ( KlI w); 9 . Luigi Seg uy (Ya m) ; 10 . Ced ric Melotte (KTM). FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 125cc MX SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (afte r 14 o f 16 round s): 1. G ran t L an g st on (438/5 wins) ; 2 . J a m es Dobb FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 250cc MX SERIES (376 /3) : 3. Mike Brown (339/ 2) : 4. Luigi Seguy Fred Bailey (370/5 wins): 2. Mickael Pichon (352/3) : (2 48/1); 5. Patr ick Cap s (239) ; 6. Tho ma s Traversini (236/ 2) ; 7. .Kenneth Gundersen (18 9): 8. Tram pas Park er (1 47); 9..Philippe Dupasqu ier ( 147): 10. Carl Nu nn ( 126/1); 11. Sandra Puzar (1 26 ); 12. Ste ve Ram on ( 1 13): 13. J eff Dem ent (8 3 ); 14 . Steph en Swor d (77) : 15 . Bri an J orgen sen ( 66) 16 . Eri k Camerlengo (65): 17. Scott Sheek (6 1) 18. Cristian Ravaglia (6 I ): 19. Cristia n Stev anini (59) ; 20. Cedric 3. J osh Coppins (297); 4. Pit Beir er (2 80) ; 5. Claudio Federici (254 /1 ) ; 6. Gordon Croc k ard (25 1/2): 7. Paul Co oper ( 228 ) : 8 . Yves De ma ri a (223/2 ) ; 9 . Mick ael Maschio (1 44 ): 10. Danny Theybers (131 ); II. Pet er Iven ( 129) : 12. A lex Belo m ett i (82 ) : 13. Collin Dugmore (74 ): 14 . A lex Zann i (70) : 15. Marko Ko v al ain en (7 0 ) : 16 . J uss i Veh vil ai nen (70): 17. Ry an Hugh es (5 2 ); 18 . Remy Van Rees (4 4); 19 . Ju stin Morris (38) ; 20 . Serge Guidett y (38) . POINTS STA NDINGS (A ft er 13 of 15 round s) : 1. Melotte (50). Upco ming Rounds: Round 15: Heinola, Finland, Augu st 27 Final Round : Ga ildorf, Germ any, September 3 Upco ming Rounds: Round 14 - Teutschenthal, Germany, August 27 Final Ro u nd - Ro g g e nburg , Switzerla nd , Septe mber 3 250 MOTO 1: 1. Claud io Federici (Yam ): 2. Fred Ba il ey ( Hon ) ; 3 . J o sh Co p p i n s ( Su z) ; 4 . Yv e s Dem aria (Yam) ; 5. Micka el Masc hio (Kaw) : 6. Paul Coope r (Hus); 7. Gord on Croc kard (Han ); 8 . Dann y Theybers (KTM ); 9. Ju ssi Vehvilainen (Han); 10. A lex Zanni (Yam ): 11. Marko Kovalainen (Yam ); 12. Pit Bette r ( Kaw) : 13 . Pete r lv en (Kaw ); 14. M ic hal Kadlecek (Sz) ; 15. Marco Dorsch (KTM) 25 0 MOTO 2: 1. Fred Bailey (Han): 2. Gordon Crocka rd ( Han ); 3 . Mick ael Pichon (Suz ); 4 . Paul Coop er (Hus); 5. Jo sh Coppin s (Suz); 6. Alex Zanni 500 MOTO 1: 1. Joel Smets (KTM); 2. Andrea Barto lini (Yam ): 3. Marni cq Bervoets (Yam) : 4 . Peter J ohansson (Yam ); 5. Miska Aalton en (Hus): 6. J onn y Lind he (Hus); 7. Jock e Karl sson (Hon); 8. Gert Ja n Van Doom (Vor): 9. Johan Boonen (KTM) ; 10. Av a Leak ( KT M); 11 . Max Ba rtolini (Ya m) ; 12. Chris Burnham (Vor ); 13. Fabrizio Dini (Hus): 14. Thi erry Klutz (vor): 15. Rupl Walkner (KTM). 5 00 MOTO 2 : 1. Marnicq Ber voet s ( Yam) : 2. BRIEFLY. •• Yamaha announc ed that they have contracted Pit Beirer and Andrew McFa rlane for next year . The German , Beirer, who at the start of the weekend was still insisting , " I have two options sti ll open . I am waiting to hear from the red team [by whom he meant Pamo Hondal , but Kawasaki are dehnitely out of it. " will race 250cc factory bike s for Free Time. He also issued a w ntten press statement in which he apologized profu sely to M ichele Rinaldi and Yamaha for dis rupting their 1998 plans when he was fo rced by co ntractual ob liga tio ns to remain at Pamo Hond a de spit e sig ning a contract with Rinaldi , who was th en runni ng Yamaha' s 250cc GP tea m. In an out-of-court settlement. Beirer has agreed to pay all of Rinaldi's legal expe nses plus damages, part of wh ich will go to charity. For his part , Rinaldi expresse d the hope that his legal red ress woul d be a wa rning to riders in the future that signed agree ments must be res pecte d . According to Rinaldi , M cFarlane, w ho se nsationally led the Aust ralian 500 cc GP on a Kawasaki earlier this yea r, has now signed a letter of intent with Yamaha Europe, the basis of w hich was agreed w hen he visit ed Europe last month and atte nded the. Kester G P. Rinaldi said, " No particular class is named. Andrew will race in wh ichever cla ss Yam aha fe els he can be of gre ate st use. " His inc lusion alongside M arnicq Bervoet s in the factory four-strok e team run by Rinaldi is the most like ly option. however, thus releasing Andrea or Bart olini to race a modified prod uction YZ4 26F F Free Time. W ith Emberson Yamaha now on the cards to receive fact ory support for Paul C ooper in the 250s , and Claudio Federici remaining in the 250 s for Team D e C arli, it is likely that Yves Demaria will revert to the 500cc GPs alongside Bartolini. Free Time has also signed Alex Belometti fo r the 125cc class. Over at Honda, Pamo boss Paul Kasper announce d that, tho ugh no co ntracts hav e yet been signed . an ag ree ment had been reached w it h both Frederic Bolley and Ryan Hughes to remain on fac tory 250cc Hondas. " I should be able to say more abo ut my o the r little project in three weeks ti me. " But that is mo st un lik ely to be w ith the m uch -ant ic ipat ed four-stroke Honda, which , although up and running. is not expected to be on the racet rac k for the start of next season. Kasper has recently been making enquirie s from other Honda teams abo ut acquiri ng CR250/5 00 two-stro ke hyb rids, and the rumor mill sugge sts that th e rider will be Mike LaRocco , who almost ca me over to Europe for an occa siona l GP ride this season . The four -stroke. when it finally doe s arrive , will follow the KTM lead of a biq -bore engine in a 250cc frame. The RWJ and Sarholz teams can also be expected to race it whe n it is ready. and Colin Reed admitted that he has been approached by many potenti al riders of the right quality. David Thorpe said that he has retained St ephen Sword for next year . " I hope M att W instanley will ride for us again, and I want one more you ng nder. " he said. " I am also we ll advanced in discussion s wi th more sponso rs . " Peter Johansson is now con firmed for KTM alongside Joel Smets , wit h Shayne King returni ng to the GP s on a fou rstro ke for the M ilennium team, w hile Miska Aaltonen is tipped to head the Cinti squad, under the guidance o f Georges Job e, along with impressive yo ungster Roman Jelen . James Dobb, for the F ory team, and Kenneth Gundersen , the new team act leader at Ch amp, w ill both receive fu ll factory machinery in the , 25s , while Kurt Nicoll is spo iled for choice . "Twelve .months ago, every rider in the to p l O in the W orld in the 500 s wanted to ride our four -stro ke, this year I have had enquiries fro m every one of the top lOin the 125s. " Patrick Caps wo uld like to stay and his co mmitm ent in Luxemb ourg was clear , as he twice batt led to 30 A U G U ST 30 . 2000· cue I e M isk a A elt on en ( Hus ); 3 . Max Bart olin i (Yam ); 4 . Peter Johansson (K TM) ; 5. A nd rea Ba rto lin i (Ya m ); 6 . Joel Smets ( KTM); 7 . Fran ci sc o Garcia Vi c e ( Ya m ); B . Jocke Karlsso n ( Ho n); 9 . E r win M ac htlinge r ( Hon) ; 10. Rup i Walkner ( KTM); 11. Marcel Va n Drunen ( Hus); 12 . Sig g i Baue r ( KT M ); 13. A vo Leak (KTM) ; 14 . Fab rizi o Dini (Hus) ; 15. Damie n King (KTM). O/A : I. Mamicq Bervoets (Yam): 2. J oel Smets ( KTM ) ; 3 . M isk a Aaltonen ( Hus); 4 . Andrea Barto lini (Yam ); 5. Peter J ohansso n (KTM ); 6. Max Bartol in i (Yam ): 7. J ock e Karl sson (Hon); 8 . Je nny Lindhe (Hus); 9. Francisco Garcia Vico (Yam ): 10. Av o Leak (KTM) FIM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 500cc MX SERIES POINTS STANDINGS (After 14 or 16 rounds): I. Joel Sme ts (5 19 /1 tw ins ); 2 . Pe te r J oh an s son (3 72/1) ; 3 . Marnicq Berv oet s (3 7 1/ 2) ; 4 . A ndrea Bartoli ni (3 43 ); 5 . Dar r y ll K in g (254) ; 6 . J oc k e Karl sson ( 152 ); 7 . Mi ska Aa ltonen (1 45) ; 8 . Max Bart olin i ( 134 ); 9 . Gert Ja n Van Doorn ( 13 1) ; 10 . Ma rcel Van Drunen ( 106): 11. Erwin Mach tlinge r (10 2 ) : 12 . Wil lie Va n We sse l ( 10 0); 13 . Ch ri s Burnh am (92) ; 14 . F abr izio Di ni ( 88); 15 . J onte Eng dahl (80 ) : 16 . A va Leo k (7 9): 17 . Franci sc o Garci a Vico (72 ); 18. James Marsh (6 1): 19. Damien King (53): 20. Rupi Walkner (45). Upcoming Rounds: Rou nd 15 - Halle, Hollan d, Augu st 27 F in a l Ro und - Ro g g en b u rg , Switzer la nd , September 3 stay ahead o f T h o m a s T r a v ersi n i , the man mo st likely to replace him, after both had been dragged dow n in cra shes on the opening lap. Trave rsini is favo rite, however, and will have tested t he bi ke this week. Hottest tip for th e number-two bert h a t Champ is Stev e Boniface . Mik e Brown admitt ed at the weekend that he will defin rtely join Grant Langs ton and Rodrig Thain in the KTM team to con test the AMA 125cc Supe rcro ss and 125cc Nationals . - I am loo king forward to working with Grant. - Brown said. "I hope we can help each ot her to bring KTM success in the St ates. " Harry No lte will travel with them as team manager. KTM will not officially contest the 250cc GP s but will provide mac hinery to Team Millenium for Collin Dugmore , Danny TheyberS and Marco Dorsch again. A factory effort, with a brand-new de sign . is expec ted in the class in 200 2. There have been no new deve lop ments in the Everts-Husqvar. na sphe re , but the Ita lian fact ory wa s trying very hard at th e wee kend to co nvince Chicco Chiodi to return to th e 125cc G Ps for them next year . Luigi Seguy wa s also see n near the Husky t ruck s, but that co uld simply be an atte mpt to strengthen his claims to fact ory Yamahas in the 125s. Carl Nunn admitt ed at the wee kend that he had no t yet agreed term s to stay o n Yam aha, hence th e M cFarlane " any class" clause. Jeff Dement co nfirmed that he has signed to race a 125cc Yamaha for Roy Ember son in the G Ps and British Cha mpionships. t houg h it is not ye t c lea r w he t he r t hey wi ll re c eiv e fac tory engi nes, or look to De Carli or SRS for tuning . Trevor Avery conhrmed that he will sign Mark Jones to race the 25 0cc H us qv arna - " I ju st have to speak to Pamo abo ut his release " - w hile, followi ng Paul Cooper's departure. he is hoping to sig n Josh Coppins. "It all depends on Picho n. If he stays at S uzuki, we are next in line for Josh. " That scenario may be a little more co mplicated now tha t Seirer is c onfi rmed for Yamaha. Kawasaki , who is also currently without a major sponsor for next year follo wing the intended withdrawal of W inheld, are thus left with only M ickael Maschio in the 250 s and Steve Ramon in th e 125s, and C oppins said only last week. " I think I'll stay on Japanese bikes. " The Kiwi want s to stay at Suzuki , but only if he is number one . We will clearly have to wait for the 250cc World title to be decided to hear whether Suzuk i will retain Mickael Pichon, but he could get his marching orders , win or lose . after the recent bad publicity, and no fact ory team is expected to risk their image on him again. Kawasaki is also chasing Gordon Crockard, but the Irishman is happy at Cas Honda, a tea m built around him. and this could prove a decis ive factor in him stay ing for one more year. P it Beirer will not race for Germany at the Nations. " I need two ope ratio ns." he said . " I injured my right thumb at the Brazilian GP , and I need to have fragments of bo ne removed fro m my rig ht ankle. which I injured already during practice befo re the D utch G P in Apr il. I have been in extreme pain during the seco nd mota of eve ry G P for many wee ks now . " His place. alongside Marco Dorsch ( 125cc) and Jochen Jasinski (500cc), will be taken by Markus Volz . " It has no t sunk in ye t t hat I have bee n asked," Vo lz said. N is a great honor wh ich I never expected . I It have on ly raced a four-st roke this year, but my spo nsor Bodo Schmidt will provide me wit h a 250cc KTM for the race. " Thirty one teams have now ente red the race . neVIl's His wrist finally h e al e d enough to race again, Alessio Chiodl returned to action at the Luxembourg GP. Less than two weeks bac k on a bike, Chicco Chiodi had his first race back at the Luxembourg GP . The three- time s World Champion wa s regularly re st rapping his injured right wrist all weekend , and admitted after racing that he had never expected to finish. " But I wanted to get back on a bike and there is no way I can ride on the rough American tracks wi th so many jumps yet. " he said. Initialty unsure whether or not he wo uld return to America this month. Chic co had been persuaded by Husqvama to contest the final two round s of the World series also before the weekend was completed. Although a factory bike cou ld have been put at his disposal, C hiodi chos e to ride a 2000 productio n bike htt ed wit h t he sus pension and en gi ne kit he had brought from the St ates: the factory bike has different frame dimensions. Also bac k on track was Carl Nunn. "I rode again on W ednesday for the first tim e in six weeks . " Nunn said. " Everyt hing went okay and I dec ided to co me. I have to start so mewhere and the longer I have on the bike befo re the Nations , the more ready I wi ll be. It was also goo d preparatio n for next wee kend's British championship round." A 10th in race one put Nunn back in the series top 10 . Jeff Dement was hobb ling round w ith a brace on his ri9ht knee afte r a rece nt operation by the same surgeo n wh o operated on Stefan Everts. " I've been having problems ever since I crashed at the Houston A strod ome three and a half ye ars ago ," Dem ent said. " I hurt it real bad at the San Ma rino GP back in J une, and w hen I tri ed to race in Croa tia it was still so painful. A fte r the operation I can already feel that it has been a succ ess and I' m looking forward to racing 125 s in England next yea r. It wi ll be great preparation for the G Ps to be racing agains t Dob b and all the rest every week ." Demenl will race a 125cc Yamaha for Team Emberson . Ther e is a possibility of factory engines fo r the team now, b ut bef o re his op er ati on D ement had alrea dy te st ed an SRS-tuned Yamaha owned by a friend and claims there was more powe r than in his SRS Honda race bike. Kenneth Gundersen cou ld only co mplete one lap of racing after dislocati ng his right ankle dUring free practice on Friday. M ichele Rinaldi and many other team managers signed a peti· tion at the week end calling for the imme diate introduct ion of a two-mote 'Open' W orld Championship. Rinaldi signed on behalf of both his own team and Yamaha , the only manufacturer to support the idea earlier in the yea r. Co ming just a week after the FIM had released first detai ls of how they wi ll run the 2001 series. the move wou ld appear too little pro spect of success , despite claims by its proponents that " a high-ranki ng FIM official said A ction Group woul d loo k favora bly on the idea." Pamo Honda team boss Paul Kasper dism issed the idea. " I think the system which they have announced for 200 1 wi th three classes and one moto each is th e right one at the momen t, " Kaspe r said. " I think the 'open clas s will co me by itself afte r a coupl e of years , but let's wait for th at. " Not all private tea ms were in agreement. G erm an dea le r Burkhardt Sarb olz. back at the track fo r the first time since his recent operation , was conv ince d that three class es must be retained: " If they make one class , what happens to all the riders7" Kurt N icoll was eve nt ually glad that he had shelve d plans to race in Luxembour g: " The family was not too keen on my racing, but the track is much more dernanding this yea r. too . In the past it was rock-hard. or muddy. but the organizers have do ne a fabulous job with the track, ro tova ti ng it and wate ring it eac h night and before each race . There was littl e dust and many lines. but the wo rk also meant that it was very bumpy afte r a few laps of the, race. In this heat I wouldn't have laste d 20 minutes. "

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