Dorna

The most successful motocrosser in the history of the sport Stefan Everts proved exactly why he holds the accolade today at the Karntenring circuit for the Grand Prix of Austria when he completed another remarkable double moto victory by winning the 125 category and then defeating Mickael Pichon by 0.3 of a second after a brilliant Motocross GP event.

The Karntenring was the scene of Everts’ 2001 500cc World Championship success and thrilling last corner win in 2002 when he passed Yves Demaria with barely 30 metres left of the GP. This time it was the factory Yamaha rider’s turn to be put under pressure in the dying moments of the MXGP race as Pichon laid siege to his slim advantage in what had been a fascinating duel between the two World Champions.

Race-day commenced under bright blue skies and blazing sunshine interrupted very occasionally by passing whispy clouds for the fifth consecutive time in 2003.

All season fans, spectators and those within the sport had been waiting for the first real face-off between the two current giants of GP motocross and today they got their ‘fill’ as Everts and Pichon battled at various times in the race; each taking their turn to lead, each taking their turn to stalk and when paint started to be traded each proved to be as tough and hard in their passing moves as the other. They were rarely split by more than a second and the 35 minute and 2 lap race distance seemed to pass in a blur.

The telling moment came on lap 12 when Everts was nudged wide by the Frenchman on his 250cc two-stoke Suzuki but the Belgian replied immediately and knocked Pichon wide entering a left-handed hairpin. The 27 year old lost several seconds in the collision that looked to be a significantly aggressive move by Everts. Pichon, to his credit, lowered his head and charged for the rest of the duration drawing back up the Yamaha with several laps left to run. The double 250cc World Champion then set the fastest lap of the race on the final circulation as he tried to squeeze past but lost-out in the chase to the line by about two bike lengths.

The 13,000 Austrian fans soaked up every minute of the action and Pichon and Everts embraced after the passing the chequered flag, showing their deep respect for one another.

Both riders have now won three races each and the Championship is starting to reflect the close tussle that occurred on the track this afternoon as the pair are separated by only eight points with Pichon still leading.

KTM’s Joel Smets ended his streak of five consecutive podium results after a first lap crash dropped him to 18th. The Belgian fought back to 5th but lost second position in the standings to Everts by one point.

Gordon Crockard notched his second podium of the season with some impressive speed after coming back from a broken finger, but suffered a lonely race back in third. Brian Jorgensen was also lapping with himself for company but must be content with his fourth top five finish of the year.

Smets beat Yoshitaka Atsuta on the last lap after the Japanese Honda ace produced his best ride of his World Championship career so far. Back in seventh was Marnicq Bervoets while Jamie Dobb made an encouraging start to his four-stroke campaign by guiding the 450 to eighth. Claudio Federici and Marc Ristori completed the top ten.

“It was a tough fight,” remarked Everts. “Mickael Pichon really pushed hard in the first laps and as soon as I could get past him I changed my line. My pass was quite aggressive but as soon as I was in front I tired really hard to gain a few seconds and it was important to have done that because Mickael was again very strong towards the end. I gave everything I could today and it was a vital result for the Championship.”

Everts produced a text book performance in the 125cc moto, remaining faultless from the second lap when he took the lead until the chequered flag despite a constant threat from KTM’s Steve Ramon who remained less than two seconds behind (and often much closer but unable to make a passing move) and proved to be the Yamaha 250cc four-stroke rider’s shadow adding an edge of tension to the 35 minute and two lap distance (indeed providing ample preparation for the World Champ in the later MX GP race).

Andrea Bartolini, also on a Yamaha four-stroke, completed the podium after only ten minutes into the event as the trio pulled clear of Marc De Reuver in fourth, Erik Eggens in fifth and World Champion Mickael Maschio in sixth, who crashed with several other riders in the first corner but fought his way up from last to a solitary position adrift of Eggen’s rear wheel. Bartolini looked at one stage as if he might be able to interfere in the intense feud between the two Belgians but a mistake a third of the way into the race dropped him off the pace and he could never quite get close enough again. With two laps to go Everts made one last push and broke Ramon’s hold going on to win his second 125cc trophy of the season and lifting him to sixth in the World Championship table despite only participating in three GPs so far this season. Taking part in the opening race of the day really seems to be paying dividends for the Belgian in his MXGP pursuit; since the switch to his two moto strategy Everts has taken 5 wins and a fourth place from six attempts.

The standings are still very close with four riders separated by 11 points. Ramon now is the clear leader by three points from Bartolini, who collected his fourth podium of the season this afternoon, while De Reuver trails his team-mate by four. Maschio lies in fourth.

No change in the 650s as Joel Smets eased his way to a sixth consecutive race victory and had regular podium buddies Javier Garcia Vico and Cedric for company. Vico had been an early leader on the factory KTM as Smets took his time to increase the pace from a first lap placing of fifth. The 34 year old Belgian took control on lap nine after a brief struggle and went on to win by 12 seconds ahead of his Spanish team-mate; KTM’s first win of the day at their home GP and only three podium spots in total from a possible nine.

Roman Jelen was fourth and headed Fabrizio Dini. Smets naturally has a perfect points tally in the Championship and enjoys an advantage of 20 over Vico in second.

The seventh round of the World Championships occurs in two weeks time at Uddevalla in Sweden.

HRC

CAS Honda’s Gordon Crockard returned to action after three week layoff through injury and stepped immediately on the podium taking 3rd position at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, round six of the World Motocross Championship. The 25 year old Irishman riding the Honda 450 F four stroke machine battled through the dust to pull back from an average start to finish behind Belgium Stefan Everts (Yamaha) who recorded his 59th Grand Prix victory and Motocross Grand Prix championship leader Mickael Pichon (Suzuki), the Frenchman came a very close second as the battle for the lead went down to the finish line.

Crockard who broke his shoulder earlier in the season and then a knuckle three weeks ago just before the Italian GP is still lying in 9th position overall in the championship just four points behind team mate Yoshitaka Atsuta, the former Japanese Champion recorded his best result of the season taking 6th position. Dane Brian Jorgensen was lying in 3rd position for nearly half the race distance of 19 laps, he could not hold off the charging Ulsterman as Crockard took a big leap on a step up to get his CAS Honda in front at the next right hand turn. Jorgensen finished in fourth position and retains his 4th position in the championship.

Winner Stefan Everts once again competed in both the 125cc class and the MXGP class, he won both races and closes the gap on Pichon lead to only 8 points, once again the might of the four stroke was too much for Pichon’s two stroke Suzuki. Pichon was the early race leader, Everts passed him on lap five but Pichon came back several times before the pair made contact in a very fast left hand turn leading into the rhythm section. Pichon fell and Everts went away. Pichon fought back and the pair almost crossed the line together, the gap separating was recoded at 0.350 of a second.

Crockard said “ Both Pichon and Everts are fighting for the championship, I have missed several races but I am still in contention for the top five, I feel that I have nothing to loose and gave it everything I had to come through and take to the podium. I need more practice and race time on the bike, but out of the three grand prix's I have finished I have taken the podium twice so I am very pleased. The bike was awesome, when I get back up to speed there should be no reason why I can be fighting for the leader rather than finishing third. I feel very good physically but I know that I can still improve, my had never bothered me in the race and my shoulder is getting stronger by the day. Having been out of action for several weeks my concentration is not what it should be it will improve as will my speed.”

Atsuta said “ I put in my best ever qualification time with 18th position on the starting line, I recorded my best result with six position I am very happy, I made a very good start and was lying in 4th position behind Jorgensen, I was feeling nervous and couldn’t relax on the bike, Crockard passed me and I tried to stay with him but he had some strange lines through rough dirt, I wanted to ride more smooth and soon he was gone. I was content with 5th position but then on the start of the very last lap Joel Smets caught and passed me, I was very annoyed but it was too late to try and catch Smets, still 6th was good and I was more than happy to take 15 points to tie on 7th position in the championship with Andrew McFarlane (Kawasaki).

Jorgensen said “ I have a small shoulder injury that I picked up during the week, I was holding a strong 3rd position but Crockard managed to jump right by me, I couldn’t fight back, 4th place at the chequered flag was much better than I had hoped for, I haven’t been able to train and my physical condition is not what it should be.”

Pichon said “ that was a very good race, it was tough race in the beginning I didn’t want to push too hard but I knew that Stefan (Everts) would be coming he was riding the track very well having won the previous 125cc GP. I was pushing hard but when I closed the gap he managed to pull away, but it was like we were on elastic, I went down but then caught him up and I didn’t give in until the line, I tried really hard in the very last corner but he just had a better line and we closed the line virtually side by side.”

Everts said “ I knew that I could let Pichon pull away at the start, I already had 40 minutes of racing in my legs but I knew that if I could stay with him I could pass him and win. Pichon made a mistake and I took over the lead on lap five or six, I was a little worried that he would be watching my lines and setting me up for a pass. I felt faster but I knew he wouldn’t give in, I have closed in on his lead and now he is starting to defend it very hard, we made contact once of twice but that’s racing, he went missing for a while but then came back towards the end. The race was shoulder to shoulder, he tried the same manoeuvre I made last year in the very last corner, I managed to steal the win from Demaria here in 2002 but I held my line and took the win. The season has reached the half way point, I started slower that Pichon but I think by riding two classes it helps me to learn that track and I go out of the MXGP feeling more loose. The heat could have been a problem but I tried t as possible as I knew the battle with Pichon would be a tough one.”

CAS’s Honda Team Owner Harry Ainsworth was delighted with his two rider’s race performance, two of the team’s four riders are out injured but the performance of Crockard and Atsuta more than made up for the absence of Coppins and Vehvilainen. Josh Coppins picked up a knee infection after Bulgaria and was detained in hospital in Italy for treatment while Jussi Vehvilainen has undergone surgery to his injured back. Ainsworth said “ I think that was a remarkable return to action from Gordon we know he is lacking bike fitness but once again he showed than nothing will hold him back, he has a tremendous fighting spirit, He didn’t make the best of starts but fought through to fifth, I think he would have been unable to run with the pace at the front had he been up there with the early race leaders, it was better that he came through and he his own speed and line without being pressured from behind. Yoshi just keeps getting better and better, he was riding nervously for a few laps and it to down, just when 5th looked like a certainty Smets caught and passed him. I was very pleased with his 6th place, now he has had a good result and start to believe in himself I am sure he will only go forward from this point on.”

650cc Grand Prix – Podium For Sick Melotte.

Cedric Melotte (Cavatorta Honda) climbed to the podium for the fourth time in six races, the Belgium Honda rider put a lot of effort in to try to catch early race leader Spaniard Javier Garcia Vico (KTM) but Melotte who was struggling with the effects of sun stroke was soon struggled to hold his pace out front and faded to finish 3rd. Joel Smets (KTM) continued his total dominance in the 650cc class, he has won all six grand prix’s this season and extends his lead over Vico to twenty points. Melotte is lying in 3rd position a further twelve points behind Vico but has a comfortable 48 point gap over Italian Fabrizio Dini (Honda). Smets recovered from a bad start but fought through to challenge for the lead on lap nine, the Belgian had fought hard in the MXGP class to finish 5th position and was furious that he suffered a lot of wheel spin of the line which left him back in ten position during the opening turns. He made a further mistake but soon caught and passed Melotte before windin e Vico to take over the lead and score a further 25 points.

Melotte said “ I knew it was going to be a difficult race as I was struggling with sun stroke and felt dizzy from the start, he heat was too much again today but I knew with a good start I should be able to hold my own. Vico was leading, I was trying had stay with him hoping that would tow me around. Smets soon recovered from a poor start, I knew he was coming and again I used him to tow me around. I was really struggling with my lines, I couldn’t focus, when I was chasing I couldn’t see the lines because of the dust but once I was alone it was easier. I was watching my pit signal I knew that Jelen was a long way back so I just tried to put in consistent laps and not make any mistakes though lack of concentration. “

Smets said “It was a tough day, I gave a lot in the MXGP class to get 5th position, I was expecting a better start in the 650 class, my reaction was very good but for some reason the bike spun up on the line and I made a complete mess of the start, the opening lap was a nightmare I couldn’t see a thing, I was riding blind and taking a few chances. Once I caught up to Melotte and Vico I started to relax a little to save some energy, I had two hard races but still had enough in reserve just in case Vico tried to come back at me.”

Vico said “ I was very comfortable in front, I knew that Smets had a bad start or something was way back but I expected him to come though and he did. I thought that this might be my race win but he was stronger again.”

125cc GP – Everts Dominates Again

Belgian Steve Ramon (KTM) saw his points lead decease to only three points from Italian Andrea Bartolini (Yamaha), both riders climbed to the podium but the race win went to Stefan Everts (Yamaha) who took his 58th GP victory at the Austrian GP to steal the glory in front of the partisan KTM crowd. Reigning world champion Mickael Maschio was taken down on a first turn pile up and started in virtually last position, he fought back to finish 6th but trails Ramon in the points by 11 points at half distance in the championship.

Ramon riding the two stroke machine in the top three was sandwiched between Everts and Bartolini, he lead for one lap after making a lighting reaction from the start gate but could not withstand the pressure from charging Everts and lost the lead before two laps. Ramon stayed on his rear wheel but couldn’t find the extra power to pass the four stroke Yamaha.

Everts said “ I had the race under control from lap one, I made a decision that if Ramon really put me under pressure I would let him by and settle for whatever position, it was very hot and dusty, I wanted to save as much energy as possible for the MXGP, that my main goal and championship, it has always been the MXGP, the 125cc race seems to help me relax and learn the track. Ok it was another GP victory of me, another day at the office, but I have to remain focused it the championship I am after and not individual GP wins, if it would have been better to take second, second it would have been.”

Ramon said “ Everts had some better lines than me, he was pulling harder out of the corners with the four stroke power, I tried to pass him back and stayed with him throughout the race, he is riding very well at the moment, he keeps saying his main focus is the MXGP class, I thought that if I keep the pressure on if he was looking to save himself for the battle with Pichon I might find a way through, he didn’t want to give up the win that easily.”

Bartolini said “ I made a good start but couldn’t find a way around Ramon or Everts, I pulled close two times but I made a mistake after the rhythm section which allowed them to pull away again. The pace was very fast out front, I am happy with my speed, the track was dusty and only one line through the corners but I confirmed my second position in the classifications, I now trail Ramon by only 3 points, I am happy to be second at the moment it puts a little bit more pressure on him for another week.”

Yamaha

Yamaha L&M Motocross Team rider Stefan Everts held off a determined last lap charge from Mickael Pichon (Suzuki) to win his third consecutive Motocross GP and complete his second double victory of the season.

The two world champions were a class above the rest of the field at the at the rugged Kärntenring in southern Austria, finishing over 52 seconds ahead of third placed Gordon Crockard (Honda).

Last year’s 250 champion Pichon led the opening laps on his two-stroke machine, but Everts, the most successful rider of all time with six world titles and 59 GP wins, made his move on lap six with an inspired pass in the final turn similar to that which brought him victory at last year's event on this track.

Pichon refused to give up without a fight, even moving ahead again after 25 minutes. But Everts, the reigning 500cc world champion, and his four-stroke YZ450FM were up to the task. He forced his way to the front again before the end of the lap and repulsed his rival's final assault in his usual impressive style.

The victory finished a perfect weekend for the Belgian rider. Earlier in the day he won the 125 race on his Yamaha YZ250F and he started both events from pole position.

Everts’ team-mate Marnicq Bervoets finished seventh after being held up mid-pack in the opening laps, while Italian rider Claudio Federici (Yamaha Team De Carli) rode hard to finish ninth on his YZ450F after being hampered by a first lap tumble.

Everts’ win moves him up to second place in the standings, just eight points behind Pichon with seven rounds of the 13 race championship remaining. Federici maintains his fifth place in the championship with Bervoets moving up two places to 12th.

Stefan Everts (Yamaha L&M Motocross Team) - first I went into this race full of confidence even though I don't really like this type of track too much. Bulgaria was probably one of my best races for several years and I know now that I am right back at my best and capable of beating anyone. But I also know that I must not get overconfident; every weekend is new, and the serious accident to Pit Beirer two weeks ago reminded us all that anything can happen.

I got a good start and it was soon down to just me and Pichon. Mickael was fast and I knew he would follow my lines when I passed him, but when the chance came I decided to take the lead. Later in the race he was able to surprise me and retake the lead, but I hit back immediately and got in front again before the end of the lap. He came strong again at the end, but I could still hold him. I'm on a good roll at the moment and am confident in both my bike and myself that we can keep on winning.

Marnicq Bervoets (Yamaha L&M Motocross Team) – seventh My start was not fantastic but at least I was top ten and it only took me a few laps to move up to sixth. The leaders were gone, but I was gradually closing on Atsuta and expected to be able to pass him near the end. But I made a couple of mistakes 10 minutes from the end, lost my rhythm and felt a little tired so I didn't quite have the speed to resist when Smets attacked. Still, that was one of my best races for some time, a good basis for the next races.

Claudio Federici (Yamaha Team De Carli) - ninth I got another great start only to slip off on the first lap. My speed was nothing special today, but for sure I was fast enough to have been top six but for the crash. By the time I got to ninth all of the other top ten riders were going at a good speed and that was as high as I could go.

KTM

Steve Ramon took the lead in the 125cc World Championship today with a solid second place behind Stefan Everts that was so close to being a victory after the young Belgian shadowed his decorated countryman for the entire race distance, but was unable to seize the lead from the 250cc Yamaha four-stroke. Marc De Reuver has slipped to third in the standings after finishing fourth, while Erik Eggens scored a strong but lonely fifth.
Joel Smets put in a splendid MX GP performance to come back from 18th position on the first lap after a crash to eventually cross the line in fifth, while Jamie Dobb scored a commendable 8th position after his first outing on the 450cc four-stroke.
Smets was again in action for the 650cc moto.


Steve Ramon, runner-up, 125cc GP: “I am disappointed in one way because I am second again after Stefan, but I am on the podium and this result is good for the Championship. I had a decent start and fought with Stefan in the early laps but the pace was very strong. Eventually I settled down and found a good tempo. It was a tough race because Stefan had some very good lines and I found it very difficult to pass him. I was clinging onto his rear wheel and tried to come close but there always seemed to be a little gap. I tried as much as I could but I could not find a way through and did not want to take any risks.”

Marc De Reuver, 4th position, 125cc GP: “I got out of the gate well, but Bartolini was a little bit out of control and hit me going up the straight, which put me back. I found some good speed early on and made some really fast laps. I passed Erik and managed to pull away but then the race just faded away. The gap to Bartolini was just too big. It is difficult to keep on pushing so hard when you don’t really have a target to aim for. The race could have been better and it did not help much in the Championship either.”

Erik Eggens, 5th position, 125cc GP: “The start could have been better because the first three guys broke away quite quickly and I tried all I could to close the gap. I then had to worry about Marc who was a bit faster than me today. The race was uncomplicated because I was mostly on my own but fifth place feels OK because my riding is getting better every week. My speed is good enough to be in the top three so I just need to start well and I will take a podium.”

Joel Smets, 5th position – MXGP: “I missed out on the start. My reaction was good but the bike just wheel-span so I ended up in the lower half of the pack. The first few laps were really scary because it was like hitting a wall of dust. I tried really hard on the first lap because I did not want to give up hope of the podium; I thought third was still possible. Unfortunately I lost sight of my line because of the dust and ran off the track. Coming back from 18th was not a bad ride and this is the first time I have been off the podium in 12 heats. Mickael and Stefan will probably have some more close battles like today and this might come to my advantage. Everything is still possible in the Championship.”

Jamie Dobb, 8th position, MXGP: “I am encouraged by this result and it was not a bad race at all for my first time on the 450. My confidence was rock-bottom before the GP and already I have gained numerous positions from what I was able to run every week on the 250. The first part of the race I could hardly see for dust and that may have caught Joel out. I picked up my pace as the moto went on and when I let Joel by I was able to watch and follow his lines for a while. They were not so different to my own but I am still learning about the 450 and I did not know how much I could really push it.
I can’t run before I can walk so in the next couple of weeks I will ride and test a lot with the 450 and I things will continue to get better.”

Joel Smets, winner, 650cc GP. “The track was pretty unpredictable by the last race because there was a lot of dust and loose soil on the top but it was very hard underneath. I started well and had less problems with the dust affecting my vision. I took my time in the conditions to find my rhythm and keep it until the end of the race. I had a little fight with Vico and it is always more enjoyable when the racing is tighter. It was a fair contest and I am happy to have won here for KTM.”

Javier Garcia Vico, 2nd position, 650cc GP: “I pushed very hard at the start of the GP because I knew that Joel would be coming at some point. I had a good race today and the bike is getting better and better. I might not have won today but the result is good for my confidence. I hoped to have done better by now but this is my first year as part of the factory KTM team and I am improving all the time. (On performing a striptease on the podium) Taking your clothes off like that is normal in Spain! I’m sure I will get down to my pants if I win!"

• 250 GP Race Result

• 250cc Championship

• 650cc Race Result

• 650cc Championship

• 125cc Race Result

• 125cc Championship

Late Braking News

MCNEWS.COM.AU