Rinaldi Yamaha rider Stefan Everts claimed his third victory in four weeks after winning both MX1 heats of
the Hawkstone Park International in Shropshire, England.
The nine times World Champion dominated the first of two heats in bright and sunny but cold conditions. A packed
crowd attended one of the more prestigious pre-season events of the winter calendar and the dark Hawkstone sand
was in its usual rough and demanding state. The circuit is dwarfed by the large hill section that sees the riders
climb a near-vertical 100m slope and the gradient caught out a number of top riders as the International once again
boasted an array of Grand Prix stars.
For the third time since the motocross schedule began to crank into life during February, Everts beat the likes
of the factory backed Honda team and the works Suzuki and KTM efforts, all housing his main rivals for the 2006
MX1 World Championship.
Everts escaped the clutches of fellow Belgian Kevin Strijbos in the opening sprint and was just as masterful in
the second heat as he glided past Strijbos and his team-mate Steve Ramon. A mistake on the last lap gave Strijbos
more impetus to close the gap but the race was already won.
A 'hatrick' could not be taken later in the afternoon as a rare fall in the 'Grand Final' (mixing the best finishers
from the MX1 and MX2 classes) allowed Yamaha MX2 rider Billy Mackenzie to streak head on the YZ250F.
Although he fronted the pack for the majority of the distance Mackenzie was slowed by back markers with just two laps
to go and was caught by Strijbos and a charging Everts who plagued the Suzuki rider to the flag and was only a second
behind over the finish line.
"I will miss this place," Everts commented at the end of the day. "It is the sixth year in a row I have come to
Hawkstone. I've had some great moments here and unfortunately I never got the chance to ride in the Grand Prix.
I think it is a great track with a lot of potential. I enjoyed the races today and it was difficult to make the
lap of honour for the last time."
Other Heavy hitters and championship contenders found the going tough at Hawkstone. KTM's great hope
for the world Championship Michael Pichon was still upbeat, saying, "Today was not so bad because I had
been sick after Pernes for three days. I am in fact quite happy with the result because the track was
not that easy! My motos were consistent, no DNF's or big mistakes. I don‰Ûªt feel that I am at 100% yet
physically when it comes to my riding; so I am satisfied. The bike was running well. I want to keep on
working because we only have another three weeks before Zolder."
Meanwhile his team-mate Sebastian Tortelli had an up and down day. "There was some good and some bad today," he said. "We finished
the three motos which was a positive thing but I was not that used to the nasty conditions and had a bad first
race with a lot of crashes. I had been training in sand but this was much deeper! I was very happy with the bike
and we have made a big step forward compared to the two last races. Now we just need to train and focus on the
Championship."
World number two Josh Coppins also had a day he would rather forget after injuring his back three days before
the event, "I kept thinking about my back and not really concentrating on my riding," the Kiwi stated.
"I‰Ûªm quite happy with the results considering the pain I was in but I am also happy to get the day over with.
I am still better off now than last year! Last year I left here with an injury so that was in the back of
mind as well."
Home town boy Carl Nunn took the win in the MX2 class ahead of compatriot Billy McKenzie.
"This was good because I felt that my pace was there last week in France but my results did not really show it."
Nunn said. "I think a lot of people looked at that as if I hadn‰Ûªt been working this winter when the complete
opposite is the real truth. I am way ahead of my condition and readiness of last year; all I can do is build
on this. My training is going great. I have lost a bit of weight to be lighter for the starts and it is working
well. We are working on the starts as a team and it has been really effective, like we saw today. KTM have worked hard
on the 250 and I feel really comfortable on the bike.‰Û
