Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128633
ca s e d it so hard , hurt m y a n kle, broke th e fo otpeg . I d on 't know if I want to g o out aga in if th ey d on 't fi n d the problem ." In the surprise of th e day , 18 -year o ld Langston c ame out and na iled li v ing legend McGrath . The huge Italian crowd cou ld not believe what tran spired as the KTM rider gave USA's best a riding lesson . This race was an ac tio n- packed a f fai r, w it h t h e two b l a s t in g out o f t h e star t ru b bing elbo ws ; at least tha t 's t h e way Lan g st on saw it. " I w a s so n er v o u s , " L a n g s t o n la ug hed . "A fe w years ago , I wo uld h av e been h a ppy to be o n t he same s ta r t l i n e as hi m , N ow , th ou g h , I w an t ed to win . W e c a m e ou t of the m oto vi ctory a t the des N at io n s was no fl uke . " I didn 't h a v e too much trouble ," Tort e ll i s ai d . "I got another great start, and pulled into the lead ahead of M cGrath and LaRocco . I knew I could w in , and I wanted to get in t o the first corner before LaRocco . I knew he wou ld have been the guy to beat." CN Crossdromo Arsago Seprio, Italy Results: September 17, 2000 FASTCROSS FINA L : 1. Seb sti en Torte lli ( Ha n ); 2 . M ik e LaRocco (Han); 3. Ryan Hughe s (Hen); 4. Jer em y McGrath (Ya m) ; 5 . Jos h Coppins (S uz) ; 6. Tallon Vohla nd ( Ka w) ; 7 . Lui gi Segu y (Ya m) ; 8 . Mi ck ael Ma sch io ( Ka w); 9 . C h ris tian Ra va g lia (S uz) ; 10 . Serge Gui dett y (Han) . start, I got a good start and he t ried rea l hard to get me back . I think at t he back part of the track h e ga ve up." In the fin al of the Dash for Cash , L a n g st o n c a m e up agai nst T o rt e ll i , arguably the quickest 250cc rider at the pres ent t ime . For the 1 2 5 c c World champ, this was the end of the r o a d . Tortelli took th e win a ft er t h e two collided at the back o f the tra ck . At the time of the c ollision, Langston was leading . " I got a good s t a r t again , Langston sa id. " T h a t ' s the most im po rt ant part of these type of races. We were going hard at th e back of the track , and we hit. He broke my back b rake ; without a brake I was finis hed ." FINAL Most of th e h uge c ro wd was lo o k ing for t he young La ngsto n to pu ll off a win, b ut i t wa s n o t to be , as To rte lli came o ut and wrapped u p his first -ever victory at th e eve nt. Th e Fre n ch rider proved his final - (Top right) Mike laRocco was Impressive at the unique event, riding strong and threatening for the win. In the end, he had to settle for runner-up. (Above) South African Greg Albertyn was on hand, rid ing a Corona Suzuki in one of the f inal races of h is career. (Rlghtl Fastcross marked the return t o racing for Jeremy M cGrath, following his summer "vacation." The champ finished fourth In the fina l . Tho ugh the weekend belonged to Sebastien TorteHi, one rider who shared some of the Frenchm an's glory was J 25cc World Motocross cham pion Grant Langston, The 18-yearold, m ak ing his debut ride on the new KTM 250cc machine, pulled off some brilli ant rid es, twice leading McGrath home and showing the 30 ,OOO-strong Italian crowd that his Super cross skills are without questio n, "I was really nervous when I lined up alongside McGrath: Langsto n said, "He's the greatest Supercross rider of all ti me, after all. Once the gate dro pped, though, I was intent on wi nning : it's nice to have a victory over him anytime." Langston first met McGrath in the one-lap Dash for Cash event, which may have been the race of the weekend. As the two lined up, it was obviou s that the you ng South African was feeling the pressure; he carefully avo ided looking at McGrath, not willi ng to make eye contact . Once the gate dropped , though, the two got into a real dogfi ght. They m ade con tact as they accelerated away from the gate, then rode at least 50 yards while loc ki ng e lbo ws - pure magic for a nyo ne in a tte nda nce. "It' s nice raci ng with him, for sure: Lang ston said. "He's the best Supercrosser ever." McGrath was impressed with Langston , although he also kn ew where the teenager was c o mi ng f r om . " He's qu ic k : McGrath sa id . " He' s a qu ick k id . He was rea lly goi ng hard , taking chances, same as when I used to race with Ricky John son or [Jeff] St anton , Wh en I wa s co m i ng t hro ug h th e ranks I took chances; I don 't need to be taking chances anym ore," BRIEFLY••• AMAlEA Sports Supercross Champion Jeremy M c Grath made his return to racing after his four-month hiatus. and showed that although his time off no doubt has him lacking condition, the Great One still has the pace, Supermac finished fourth in the final. won his heat and came home second in his semi-final. "I didn't expect to come here and kick butt: McGrath said, "I just like to be able to compete on this track: it' s somewere I have always found to be fun. I know once I get my speed, I can match these guys: it' s not going to be a problem," Making an appearance on a KX250, SplitFire/Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Vohland was having problems w ith h is susp e nsion : "We don 't have a good setup. " Voh land said. " I broke my rear fender. the suspension is so soft, I've got the same setup I had for my 125 in America: it's way too soft. and we have to fix that. I'm going on holidays in a few days. and I'm also having trouble thinking about racing: I'm aiready in holiday mood." Mike laRocco was frustrated to miss out on getting a Fastcross win: "Tortelli and Albertyn beat me to the first comer: he said. "I had some trouble getting past Albee, and by the time I did. Tortelli was gone. I'm disappointed: this is the last Fastcross ever , so I wanted to get a win here. I got a second in 1989 and 1991, and a third place in 1996; I guess I'll never win it." cue I e n e VIl' s OCTOBER 4 . 2 0 0 0 19