Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

Only another three seconds back an on-form Carlos Catalano (Roc-Yamaha) finally triumphed in a close dice with Eddie Laycock's Yamaha, and the last point went to Briton Kevin Mitchell, his first of the season and the first for a Harris Yamaha since they were introduced at the start of this year. So the championship went full circle - with Doohan's practice crash putting him in danger of losing his huge lead, only for Schwantz to lose the chance of catching up. They remained first and second overall, on 130-77 points. The absent Rainey is third on 65, and nonfinisher Chandler in danger of losing fourth to Kocinski, 57-5l. 250cc GP Biaggi leapt away from pole position, and set fair to run away; Chili also started welt and gradually pegged him back. It looked like another Italian battle royal, with every chance that Cadalora might be able to close up should the two Aprilia rivals slow one another down. Indeed, they did almost collide once and then after five laps it was over, with Biaggi's bike suffering piston failure, and rattling slowly into the pits. This was a godsend to Chili. "I'd expected a tough battle with three or . four riders/I he said. "But in the end I was able just to manage the race and control Cadalora behind me." "Control" was the word chosen also Australian Mick Doohan suffered a broken leg during a qualifying crash. Alex Criville's Dutch GP victory was the first in the 500cc class by a Spaniard. by Cadalora, after further frustrating proof that an Aprilia can outrun a 1992 Honda. '1f I got close to Chili, he simply went away from me. With five laps to go I decided there was no chance that I'd be able to stop him from winning. In the top three gears, I simply cannot compete on speed any more." He finished almost seven seconds adrift. Reggiani had a dismal start, and gradually picked his way through from ninth at the end of lap one to take third from Jochen Schmid's Yamaha on lap nine. By then, the leaders were far out of reach, and he continued on his lonely way to take third another seven seconds down. A slightly smaller distance separated the next group, having a frenzied battle that lasted to the very end. Schmid, complaining later of a shortage of power, was gradually swallowed up by Alberto Puig's Aprilia and Masahiro Shimizu's NSR Honda. He crossed the line sixth, narrowly ahead of fIelmut Bradl's Honda, after the latter LawsonlCagiva grab ~_ole W __ had survived one big slide and said to himself: "That's enough. I want to see the checkered flag this time." Loris Capirossi, having also been active in this brawling group, was eighth, with less than two seconds covering from him to Puig. . Jean-Philwpe Ruggia's CHera had pitted with electrical problems, but Carlos Lavado's ran strongly in a lonely ninth, and the Venezuelan former triple champion opened his World Championship score. With the two Honda riders officially out before the end of practice, their grid places were not left empty, but the two Suzukis Were shuffled forward onto row one. . Schwantz was widespread favorite, having won the last two 'here, and a moral victory (terminated by mechanical failme)the year before that. He is another master of ~~~~' exP~Oiting his pike's maneuve:,ab~lity ..~nd his own adaptability to the maxi~,;* .st ~ol of the cagiva on a fast bend, and while he fell off the CriVI low-sider, Ij;k~,~hw-antz'S')4~at}4yMa X~ ~llthosespi1ledbrake I~l;i 1?i~ conti.r\~ riderless at:speElrl, cra~Ftl:.~xplosively,~to a dike and badly injuring ai4 ":~ on his wheel); Niall MaCkenzie, ptiiva~ Araka and Pedercini. n, 'I woman marshall." K < " ' i i " · ' MackenZie took over row three. unhUrt by his tumblE; which happened a1: very l~' And Wayne Gardnere after leaping up the qualifying order from seventh to fifth arid then to third on the previous two laps. He slid iniX> the barrier, suffering a back injury speed after he'd taken tn the grass. Lucky, for he was riding two weeks after breaking a bone in his right foot, wearing a special bOOt and finding it difficult but enjoyable. and concussion. Then came Corrado Catalano, top privateer, and really finding his feet, looking fast Both Honda riders were out of the Dutch IT. In a bad day for Australians, Peter and aggressive. He was ahead of Eddie Laycock, and of DuHamel, learning his way Goddard had already crashed in the morning, and was also out If the number of crashes was unexpected, even more so was the name at the top of round the hardest track of the year. Max Biaggi turned 21 at Assen, and adulthood brought him his third 250cc pole the list at the end of practice - Eddie Lawson. the old master of the most difficult track of all giving Cagiva their first pole in racing. It was a great moment, received in oddly position in succession. "I don't want to say anything about winning the race, because . subdued fashion in the Cagiva pit, where a bevy of Italian pressmen had been anxious- I'm superstitious," he said. There ~as also, of course, the matter of looking over his shoulder and seeing a gridful of s~milar Aprilias with tenths of a second of his time ly gathered round the mQIlitor. Aside from his ~UPt~me skilLat tl'Iis superb circuit, where to be inch-perfect is. sO' first ISptyear's winner Chili, top privateer Andy Preining (who has a leased works important, his asset was a new engine. C~a's effort at matching the Honda arrived Aprilia engine), and only on the far'enlil of the front tow the first Honda, ridden at just one race after Suzu1 F , ., 9

• Cover