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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1545477
T his was a Grand Prix that will be remembered for years to come. Despite Stefan Everts winning his ninth GP from nine starts in the MX1 class in 2006, and David Philippaerts taking his third MX2 overall victory in as many races, the Grand Prix of Sweden had a little bit of everything, from perfect weather, to a large crowd of 26,000, to some of the best racing of the season. Philippaerts went 1-2 for the MX2 victory, and Everts 1-1 in the MX1 class for his 96th career-GP victory; however, the opening moto of the MX2 was one of those races that won't be soon forgotten. Everts was able to pick up 15 points on second- placed rider Kevin Strijbos making his chances of win- ning the title in Namur, Belgium, in early August a real possibility. Everts now has a 114-point lead over Strijbos. It wasn't the hardest day of Everts' career, although he did find it tough to come back from his sec- ond-moto crash. The Belgian nearly crashed a second time in the whoop section, only to come back and pass all the young guns on his way to his 16th moto win and anoth- er GP victory. In the opening MX1 race, Barragan took the holeshot, but Everts did what he has done all season long and that's take the lead right away. Further back, Tanel Leok, Steve Ramon and Josh Coppins were fighting for third position, with Ramon passing Coppins early on. Barragan fought hard to keep with Everts, getting as close as a bikelength; but, in the end, Everts had more than enough to get the job done. Coppins, who had dropped back to a distant fifth after feeling tight on the bike and getting arm pump, came back strong at the end to finish in third place. "In the first moto, I was about three seconds in the lead, but then Jonathan was coming close, and I was making mis- takes in the whoops," Everts said. "He made a good race and followed my lines. I struggled with the heat a little." In the second MX1 race, Everts crashed out early, giving the spectators something to enjoy as he worked his way through the field. "I went into a rut and slipped away, just a silly crash," Everts said. Coppins found himself in the lead, fol- lowed by the Suzuki-mounted Strijbos, Ramon and Javier Vico Garcia. Strijbos took the lead on lap two, and two laps later Ramon also worked his way past Coppins. Meanwhile, Everts had moved into fourth place and was looking for a way past Coppins, which he found on lap six. Ramon had a large lead, but Everts began to reel in Strijbos and passed him on lap 16, then with one lap to run, took the lead from Ramon. "Early in the race I was nervous because everyone was fast, and it was not easy passing guys," Everts said. "But I got into third and Strijbos and Ramon were not so far ahead. I kept pushing, and I saw I was getting closer, and I started riding better." Ramon once again led Everts but let himself down by getting tired at the end Grand Prix of Sweden Uddevalla, Sweden Round 9 July 2, 2006 JULY 12, 2006 • C Y C L E N E W S 36 FIM World MX1/MX2 Motocross Championship Series STORY AND PHOTOS BY GEOFF MEYER Everts grabs the holeshot ahead of Kevin Strijbos (24), Joshua Coppins (behind) and Marvin Van Daele (75). Stefan Everts rode to a perfect 1-1 victory at the Grand Prix of Sweden, his first win in Scandinavia since 2003.