| France's
Yamaha-mounted trio of Luigi Seguy, David Vuillemin and Yves Demaria
scored a sensational victory over hot favorites Belgium in the Motocross
des Nations, the annual inter-country contest that has traditionally
closed the season for the last 55 years, as it returned to the infamous
Citadel track high above the southern Belgian city of Namur. All three
riders of the French team rode Yamaha machines, Seguy on the YZ125 and
both Demaria and Vuillemin on YZ250’s. Adding to the Yamaha successes on the day were World 500cc champion Stefan Everts, who was the supreme individual as he won both his races, whilst German Yamaha rider Pit Beirer was the most successful 250cc rider, and only very hectic opening laps prevented Seguy from attaining the same honour amongst the 125s. Indeed each of the French trio was the second highest scorer in his respective class, emphasizing the fact that this event is a contest for teams, and that is exactly what the French were. "For many years France has sent it's strongest riders to this race, but they didn't win," admitted a delighted Demaria after he and Vuillemin had crossed the line 3rd and 4th in the final moto to set the seal on their success, adding quickly: "Perhaps we three were not the strongest team on paper this year, but WE WON!" "Exactly", exclaimed the jubilant Seguy. "We were a TEAM. It was very difficult for me on the 125 against the larger bikes, but the team has been very close all weekend and that gave me the extra incentive to fight for every place. It is my dream to be World individual champion one day, but until I achieve that aim for Yamaha, I'll settle for this. This is the best day of my career so far." American-based
Vuillemin, drafted into the team at the last moment when others dropped
out, confirmed the effort which had gone into France's first ever success
in this event: "I was left out of the French team at the last moment last
year, and my first reaction was to feel like a spare wheel when was
eventually chosen as a replacement at the last minute. But I am so proud "Yamaha were fantastic. American Yamaha sent over everything, like the special parts for the bike, Yamaha France provided me with a mechanic, and I did my homework this week. This is a special track, and I spent this week looking at tapes. I walked the track twice on Friday, and spent training watching other riders who have done well here in the past. And ... "Yeah, we did it!" The French had always been in contention, holding second place to Belgium after each of the first two races, but it was their solid team showing in the final moto which clinched matters. With the best five scores from six to count, it was eventually one of Seguy's results which was dropped, but Yamaha's main man in next year's 125 Grand Prixs never stopped battling away: "I had to accept the less advantageous start gate allocated to our team in each race, but it was important for David and Yves to get good results on their larger bikes." Seguy passed countless riders to finish 13th, only headed by one other 125 rider, in his first race, before putting in an astounding ride to 15th, 3rd best 125, in his second: "I had crashed already at the third corner when another rider pushed me, then I crashed again as I tried to recover. It was a hard day's racing, but I had to do it for the team." Demaria admitted that he would have preferred to race a YZ426F four-stroke Yamaha: "I had been practicing on a standard bike, but my GP team told me last week that they could not prepare a four-stroke for me, so I rode my 250 GP bike. It was tough against the bigger bikes at the start, but the bike worked perfectly in the race and I was able to gain the places we needed to win." Vuillemin also had to make many passes: "I am used to starting on some soft soil in America, and the hard-pack earth at the start here was a problem for me. But my Yamaha saw me through." Everts was naturally bitterly disappointed that his country had lost despite his two outstanding wins: "I did all I could, but other members of our team had bad luck. Of course I am happy to win again at this track (in five races at Namur he has never lost a race!), but it just wasn't Belgium's day." Beirer could also be happy with the two individual second places, which made him top 250cc rider on the day: "My riding style is pretty wild normally, but this track is so demanding that I have to ride more smoothly. And my results show how well I managed it today. I was even able to stay with Stefan for half of the last race." Indeed, with the track at its roughest and most demanding, Yamaha riders took the first four places in that moto. Another Yamaha rider to perform well, yet see his team finish down the order was Australian Andrew McFarlane. "My second race was much better after I took the holeshot. I would have been right up there in my first race too, but another rider nearly took me off the track at the second corner and it was difficult to recover from midfield." But in the end it was a famous victory for France - and their three Yamaha-mounted riders! A fantastic effort too for New Zealand who took third place overall. Australia's Chad Reed also took a heat win in 125. Final Country results
Heat result - 125 /
250 Heat result - 125 /
Open Heat Result - 250 /
Open |
--- Late Braking News ---
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