Everts passes into legend with Namur glory

At a fitting, historic and emotional stage of his home Grand Prix and favourite circuit at Namur, World Champion Stefan Everts completed a successful title defence of his MX1 crown and gave the YZ450FM its third consecutive MX1 distinction this afternoon.

By dominating both motos at the Citadelle for the 12th round of 15 in the 2006 FIM series the 33 year old Belgian remains undefeated every year since the inception of the MX1 competition in 2004. His tenth World Championship in a eighteen year career, achieved through 125, 250, 500, MXGP and MX1 classes, was also the sixth title in succession with Yamaha in an unparalleled streak of results and glory since 2001. In that time Everts has broken the record for most Grand Prix victories and won three classes on the same day when the 2003 season saw 125, MXGP and 650 categories run with just one moto.

The '06 campaign has been momentous for the Rinaldi-led Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross team and the new aluminium framed YZ450FM. Everts has won 21 motos in a row and all twelve Grand Prix. He now has reached a total of 99.

After a bright and sunny day of practice Sunday dawned cloudy but also warm. The track, already rough and extremely technical after the wear of practice and qualification, was a severe test of concentration and stamina for the MX1 and MX2 competitors. On the brink of history Everts was cheered on by a willing 30,000 partisan crowd and the team had both of their riders flying formation for the first two laps of the opening moto as Cédric Melotte grabbed the holeshot and led Everts. The Champion soon took control and enacted a familiar scene of drawing away from his pursuers. The second race was a repeat with Everts owning the race by forging a blistering speed in the formative stages.

On a day when his son celebrated his second birthday there was also the novelty of another generation of the Everts clan rolling back the years as Stefan's father Harry took to the track in the first ever Veteran's World Cup and finished second overall onboard a YZ250F.

Cédric Melotte was competing at his home Grand Prix and the site of his first World Championship victory in 2003 (650 class). The local-born rider grabbed a sensational holeshot in the first moto and would go on to secure his best result of the season with two finishes of 4th and 5th for 4th overall. After treating a breathing problem during the week, Cédric set a decent pace within the top five and was able to produce two positive races for the third time this year.

Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team   

With a lead of 168 points over Kevin Strijbos Everts cannot be caught in the three remaining Grand Prix due to take place in Ireland, Holland and France. He will have these opportunities to reach the magical 'ton' in terms of his career victory tally and a memorable send-off is planned for Ernee and his final race on September 17th. Melotte is currently holding eigth in the standings and six points from seventh.

The MX1 paddock will now disperse for two free weekends before the Grand Prix of Ireland at the Desert Martin circuit brings the fraternity back together for round 13 on August 26th/27th.

Stefan Everts, Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team: "What a great day. I never dared dream of becoming World Champion here at Namur. It has always been a very special place with a special atmosphere. It is a unique track that is hard and demanding. Both races went pretty good. At one point there was a difficult moment for me in each moto because the terrain was so bumpy, slippery and so rough. I had to be really careful because this is one of the hardest circuits in the world and you can only really appreciate it if you get out there and try forty minutes. The motos worked out well though and I am so happy for my 99th victory and the Championship. I had such an exciting feeling going out on the track and unfortunately it is my last time here but I cannot think of a better way to go out. What else can I say?"

Cédric Melotte, Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team: "I did not feel the pressure so much of racing at home this year. This is my best result so far and I could finish in the top five twice. I am happy because today was a tough track; very hard and physical. I made some tests with my lungs this week and found out that I have been suffering with an allergy and asthma. I took the right treatment and feel much better. In the first moto it was great to lead for two laps in front of my fans. I had the holeshot in my mind before the race so to take it was great and I just wanted to lead as long as I could. Stefan was pushing a little bit and passed me, I settled into a speed I could make and finished fourth. In the second moto I followed Strijbos for fifth and I was really happy for a good overall position."

Carlo Rinaldi, Racing Manager, Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team: "It has been a fantastic day and a great conclusion to the season, even if it isn't over yet. It was a familiar GP for us. Good starts and controlling the motos; Stefan may have had some more pressure than usual but he did not show it. What is unbelievable is not that Stefan wins, but how he does it; victory is all he wants. Yamaha is doing a great job. The new bike gave an extra boost to Stefan and with his motivation in his final season it was the perfect tool for a perfect job."

Cedric Melotte   

Michele Rinaldi, Team Manager, Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team: "There is not much I can say as you can imagine. I think Stefan managed something that not even he was expecting this season. He did a fantastic job and it even seemed to easy at times. We have had a great atmosphere in the team and he has won everything so far so his decision to finish his career with Yamaha was 100% correct. Our bike has never stopped this year and we have done a lot of work; the result of which can be seen on the track. We could not have imagined a season like this."

Laurens Klein Koerkamp, Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe N.V. - Racing Division: "This is amazing and I think it will take a long time before people really appreciate what has happened. Ten titles for Stefan is unbelievable and for us six titles in six years is also something incredible. Technically we have had almost no problems at all in that period and for that we must give a big thank you to all the guys in the team. Success is about the rider and the bike but it is also about the guys who prepare the bike. The team have won all those titles but still remain so motivated to win. Overall this is a super day for everyone connected with the team and Yamaha."

Circuit Length: 2477 Temp: 24 Crowd: 30000 Weather: Sunny     2006 GP of Namur, Belgium 06/08/2006 Race 1 - 16 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Stefan Everts Yamaha BEL 43'13.152 2 Joshua Coppins Honda NZL 0'11.409 3 Steve Ramon Suzuki BEL 0'14.665 4 Cedric Melotte Yamaha BEL 0'16.980 5 Ken De Dycker Honda BEL 0'19.086 6 Gordon Crockard Honda GBR 0'34.115 7 Pascal Leuret Honda FRA 0'54.119 8 Kevin Strijbos Suzuki BEL 1'8.640 9 Javier Garcia Vico Honda ESP 1'13.201 10 Wyatt Avis KTM RSA 1'24.525 11 James Noble Honda GBR 1'36.862 12 Danny Theybers Suzuki BEL 1'46.520 13 Manuel Priem Yamaha BEL 1'49.243 14 Clement Desalle  Suzuki BEL 1'52.460 15 Cyril Coulon Suzuki FRA 1'54.428 16 Marko Kovalainen Honda FIN 2'4.810 17 Antti Pyrhonen TM FIN 2'7.248 18 Alex Salvini Suzuki ITA 2'12.617 19 Marc Ristori Honda CHE 2'14.930 20 Jaka Moze Suzuki SVN 2'16.058

Race 2 - 16 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Stefan Everts Yamaha BEL 41'10.064 2 Joshua Coppins Honda NZL 0'17.973 3 Steve Ramon Suzuki BEL 0'28.484 4 Kevin Strijbos Suzuki BEL 0'46.443 5 Cedric Melotte Yamaha BEL 0'52.909 6 James Noble Honda GBR 0'57.447 7 Pascal Leuret Honda FRA 1'2.393 8 Manuel Priem Yamaha BEL 1'14.458 9 Javier Garcia Vico Honda ESP 1'23.714 10 Wyatt Avis KTM RSA 1'27.292 11 Tanel Leok Kawasaki EST 1'31.291 12 Danny Theybers Suzuki BEL 1'39.857 13 Christian Beggi Honda ITA 1'43.852 14 Bas Verhoeven Kawasaki NED 2'4.429 15 Antti Pyrhonen TM FIN 2'17.104 16 Gordon Crockard Honda GBR 2'22.634 17 Scott Columb Suzuki NZL -1 Laps 18 Lauris Freibergs Suzuki LVA -1 Laps 19 Ken De Dycker Honda BEL -1 Laps 20 Clement Desalle  Suzuki BEL -1 Laps

Best Lap Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time Cedric Melotte Yamaha BEL 2'38.204

 Rider Standings 06/08/2006

Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points 1. Stefan Everts Yamaha BEL 592 2. Kevin Strijbos Suzuki BEL 424 3. Steve Ramon Suzuki BEL 408 4. Ken De Dycker Honda BEL 371 5. Tanel Leok Kawasaki EST 365 6. Jonathan Barragan KTM ESP 273 7. Pascal Leuret Honda FRA 230 8. Cedric Melotte Yamaha BEL 224 9. Manuel Priem Yamaha BEL 210 10. Joshua Coppins Honda NZL 202 11. Javier Garcia Vico Honda ESP 196 12. James Noble Honda GBR 186 13. Julien Bill Yamaha GBR 167 14. Antti Pyrhonen TM FIN 138 15. Gordon Crockard Honda GBR 137 16. Brian Jorgensen Honda DNK 131 17. Marvin Van Daele Honda BEL 127 18. Wyatt Avis KTM RSA 106 19. Danny Theybers Suzuki BEL 102 20. Sebastien Tortelli KTM FRA 99

Manufacturer Standings 06/08/2006

Pos. Manufacturer Points 1. Yamaha 592 2. Suzuki 489 3. Honda 447 4. Kawasaki 369 5. KTM 351 6. TM 138

RACE REPORT 06/08/2006 First 2006 double moto succes for Cairoli   Antonio Cairoli   

The MX2 Grand Prix of Belgium took place at a bustling and vibrant Namur circuit today and World Champion Antonio Cairoli gave Yamaha a perfect afternoon with his first double moto success of the season and his second overall victory of the campaign.

The De Carli racing representative - competing at the site of his maiden victory in 2004 - beat David Philippaerts in the first sprint after his Italian rival ran wide while leading and collected green fencing in his rear wheel. Cairoli was waiting in his tracks for a passing opportunity and moved through for his eighth moto triumph this term.

In the second event he started brightly and resisted attention from Carl Nunn and then Christophe Pourcel for win number two in convincing fashion.

Billy MacKenzie   

Yamaha Team Ricci's Kenneth Gundersen experienced a Grand Prix in stark contrast to his Yamaha compatriot. The Norwegian got out of the gate poorly in both motos and hit the ground during each race. He only picked up three points for 18th in the opening foray.

Team-mate Davide Guarneri had been feeling unwell in the build-up to the Grand Prix and retired in the first moto with a headache. He then crashed in Moto2 and again was forced to retire.

Antonio Cairoli   

Bike it Yamaha Dixon Racing rider Billy Mackenzie took a decent jump from the gate in Moto1 and finished 7th but a fall on a frantic set of opening corners on the Esplanade later in the day relegated him to the back of the pack.

The third member of the Yamaha Team Ricci Alessio Chiodi was ruled out of contention on Saturday afternoon when a rock struck his right hand and broke one of his fingers. The Italian was in too much pain to take part in the rest of the Grand Prix. His withdrawal means the sixth non-score after a very promising opening to the season was wrecked by a knee injury at Sugo in May.

Cairoli is second in the World Championship standings, 26 points behind Pourcel, with three Grand Prix and 150 points remaining on the 2006 schedule. Mackenzie is also part of the top ten and lies 7th.

Antonio Cairoli - Team Yamaha De Carli: "We have a good setting on the 250 with De Carli for this track and I like it a lot since taking the win here in 2004. It felt great to win both heats and make a double here. I rode better than I did last year and could change my lines very easily with the suspension set-up we had, so the track was not so hard for me this time. I have been struggling with my physical condition this year but things are getting better now. I am not thinking of the championship I just want to ride well and win more heats. Christophe is very young but he is controlling the class well; he does not make big mistakes and is finishing every race."

Kenneth Gundersen   

Kenneth Gundersen - Yamaha Team Ricci: "In the first moto I made a bad start but I was still in the top ten when I lost the front end into a corner and on the top of a step-down. I completed the rest of the race to get some training done. In the second moto I was last off the start and crashed after 15 or 20 minutes. I did not have much confidence and decided to stop. Normally this track is perfect for me and yesterday it was really good but things did not work out in the races."

Circuit Length: 2477 Temp: 24 Crowd: 30000 Weather: Sunny     2006 GP of Namur, Belgium 06/08/2006 Race 1 - 16 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Antonio Cairoli Yamaha ITA 43'9.307 2 David Philippaerts KTM ITA 0'2.531 3 Christophe Pourcel Kawasaki FRA 0'29.378 4 Sébastien Pourcel Kawasaki FRA 0'36.668 5 Marc De Reuver KTM NED 0'37.729 6 Maximilian Nagl KTM GER 0'38.835 7 Billy MacKenzie Yamaha GBR 1'4.262 8 Rui Goncalves KTM POR 1'4.687 9 Manuel Monni KTM ITA 1'16.247 10 Matti Seistola Honda FIN 1'18.581 11 Carl Nunn KTM GBR 1'30.575 12 Patrick Caps Honda BEL 1'35.528 13 Pierre-Alexandre Renet Honda FRA 1'46.824 14 Aigar Leok Yamaha EST 1'59.253 15 Shaun Simpson Honda GBR 1'59.537 16 Anthony Boissière Yamaha FRA 2'7.078 17 Tyla Rattray KTM RSA 2'10.294 18 Kenneth Gundersen Yamaha SWE 2'15.929 19 Jeremy Tarroux Kawasaki FRA 2'16.646 20 Xavier Boog Yamaha FRA 2'19.960

Race 2 - 16 Laps Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time 1 Antonio Cairoli Yamaha ITA 41'55.640 2 Christophe Pourcel Kawasaki FRA 0'4.597 3 Carl Nunn KTM GBR 0'6.644 4 Tyla Rattray KTM RSA 0'18.363 5 Sébastien Pourcel Kawasaki FRA 0'29.627 6 Gareth Swanepoel Kawasaki RSA 0'39.360 7 Rui Goncalves KTM POR 0'40.970 8 Aigar Leok Yamaha EST 0'44.443 9 Manuel Monni KTM ITA 0'45.639 10 Pierre-Alexandre Renet Honda FRA 0'49.984 11 Carlos Campano KTM ESP 0'55.966 12 Matti Seistola Honda FIN 1'16.716 13 Marc De Reuver KTM NED 1'22.385 14 Matteo Bonini Yamaha ITA 1'26.360 15 Anthony Boissière Yamaha FRA 1'27.561 16 Dennis Verbruggen Yamaha NED 1'52.850 17 Billy MacKenzie Yamaha GBR 1'59.849 18 Xavier Boog Yamaha FRA 2'9.095 19 Matthias Walkner KTM AUT 2'30.325 20 Jonas Wing KTM SWE -1 Laps

Best Lap Rider Manu. Nat. Total Time Antonio Cairoli Yamaha ITA 2'38.198

 Rider Standings 06/08/2006

Pos. Rider Manu. Nat. Points 1. Christophe Pourcel Kawasaki FRA 458 2. Antonio Cairoli Yamaha ITA 432 3. David Philippaerts KTM ITA 393 4. Tyla Rattray KTM RSA 352 5. Marc De Reuver KTM NED 338 6. Carl Nunn KTM GBR 307 7. Billy MacKenzie Yamaha GBR 264 8. Sébastien Pourcel Kawasaki FRA 259 9. Tommy Searle Kawasaki GBR 254 10. Gareth Swanepoel Kawasaki RSA 251 11. Rui Goncalves KTM POR 236 12. Alessio Chiodi Yamaha ITA 211 13. Kenneth Gundersen Yamaha SWE 200 14. Manuel Monni KTM ITA 167 15. Davide Guarneri Yamaha ITA 153 16. Matti Seistola Honda FIN 105 17. Anthony Boissière Yamaha FRA 98 18. Aigar Leok Yamaha EST 97 19. Luigi Seguy Yamaha FRA 94 20. Pierre-Alexandre Renet Honda FRA 80 37. Matteo Bonini Yamaha ITA 7

Manufacturer Standings 06/08/2006

Pos. Manufacturer Points 1. KTM 546 2. Yamaha 526 3. Kawasaki 483 4. Honda 195 5. Suzuki 22