Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

,fr "ln the second race, I had a good jump, but maybe lbumped with Cairoli [who crashed in the first cornerl," Rattray con- tinued. "l saw lDavid] Philippaerts in front and tried to stay with him, and then, with three laps to go, I passed Pourcel for the race win and overall." As for Pourcel, he did his best to come back from his sickness prior to the open- in8 race and produced the most consrs- tent rides of the MX2 class. "Before the firsr race. lwas sick twice, but I felt okay when the race started," he said. "ln the second race, I had a good start and was thinking about the championship." Third-placed Cairoli was not happy with his second-moto problems but still showed he is very quick. The defending champion needs to make up some serious points to retain the title. ''First race was good for me, but the second, lcrashed in the start," Cairoli said. ''l pushed so hard, but this track is nor good to pass- lt's not a good day for me, but it's (oming better. lwant to fight with Tyla. I like him, he is fast, but when I crash, I can't fight for the wrn. The new bike [dual-cam KTI'4 450] is not so good for the holeshots. I try to get holeshots, but I iust don't get them. I had some good starts, but I need to get betrer starts-" Gt{ AGUEDA Clrcurr AGUEDA, PoRruGAr. REsuLrs: APR|L 23, 2OO5 (RouND 3 or '15) this is my first ever podium, so I am very happy," he said. "l was fifth in the llrst heat, but I felt srong,n the second heat. I was pushing 100 percent, [bt-rt] I couldn't take Stefan. "l am the third rider fon the KTI''1 team],'' Barragan added. "l just do my best in the championship, just take points." Third-placed Strijbos (4-3) showed again that he is possibly the rider who will Sive Everts the most trouble in the series now. The Sr-rzukr factor/ rider is very much looking at closing in on Everts, as regards outright speed and making as many points as possible in each GP "lt was pretty good," Strilbos said. "The lirst race, it was hard to catch people; I pushed too hard. The second race, I had a good race. I am happy for my first podium of the year. Last week I crashed three times and it was not good: I was trying too hard.'' ln the MX2 class, Raftray went 3- I for the overall victory and he looked strong all day. French youngster Pourcel finished second overall via 2-2 results. Known for his nerves of steel, Pourcel showed once again what a talent he is. Despite being physically sick on the start line for the opening moto (due to a stomach varus), he went out and scored 2-2 results for second place, with third place going to Cairoli- Rattray was very happy wrth his win. ''The first race, I didn't get a jump out of the gate," Rattray said- "l think I had some wheel spin off the line, I had to come through the field, and I saw Pourcel and Cairoli were too far ahead, I wanted to save some enerSy for the next race. hard, and he took the lead after two laps. Tortelli chased Everts but eventual- ly crashed out of the race and was taken away in an ambulance with a dislocated hip. Everts remained composed but still had to deal with some of the young guns. KTM rider Barragan inherited second place, ahead of Strijbos, Tanel Leok and De Dijcker The race positions remained the same for rest of the race, with Everts getting yet another victory- "ln the second moto, I passed some riders early after a bad start,'' Evers said. "l was in rhe lead after a lap, I passed Sebastien, but when I saw him on the ground, I lost my concenration and lost my speed a little. I could see Jonathan pushing hard behind me. I know he is fit; he worked with my father lHarry Everts] for a while." While now looking good for a loth title, Everts admifted that he's disappoint- ed that so rfiany ofthe top riders have fall- en by the wayside. ''lt's looking Sood for the champi- onship for me," Everts said, "[but] it's a pity so many riders are out - I mean, Josh [Coppins], Mickael [Pichon] and now Sebastien ffortelli]. But the younger rid- ers are coming, riders like Kevin [Striibos], Steve [Pamon], Ken [De Diickerl, Tinel [Leok] - so many young riders, and I have to ake them seriously," Barragan finished out the day a stronS second, and he is the only rider remaining in the KTIY l''lxl team truck now that Pichon and Tortelli are both out. Barragan was happy with his 3-2 ride. "l was close to a podium in Spain, and CYCLE NEWS MAY 3, 2006 43 This week, the Aguedo Ci.(uit ployed hort to round three of the World MX Chompionrhips, but the re5uh5 were lhe some. E rt- n t.' t V I v ) iU HXI MOTO lr l. St.fan Evem (Yam)i 2.sebdtien Tonelli(l(Tl'1)r 3. (en De Dij.ker (Hon):.4 Kevin Strilbos (sd)r s. Jonathan Bar€an {KrM)r6. Tanel Let (&w):7. strye 8*M (suz)r 8. lams Noble (Hon)i e. cednc tlelotte (Iam); I 0. Stephen Swo.d (Ke)i I L X.v'er VKo Garcia (Hd): 12. Gordon Ccka.d (Hon): ll. l'aanuel Priem fram): 14. Brian lo.sensen (Hon)r 15. Pas.al Leuret (Hon). HXI I|IOTO 2r I Sleran Evet C{am): 2.lon*hd SdEsan (fi1'1); 3. Kryin Sr ibos (Sur)r {. Tan€l Leok (Kiw)i 5. Kei oe Dij

• Cover