Retro: Motocross of Nations 2005
De Motocross of Nations will take place in 2005 on the circuit of Ernee, a place in the department Mayenne. France is now an absolute powerhouse in motocross and could well be able to beat the Americans in front of its own audience.
The Belgian team for the Motocross of Nations actually consists of three riders from the MX1 World Championship. World MX1 Champion Stefan Everts (Rinaldi Yamaha) is of course the Belgian leader and starts in the MX1. Former 125cc world champion Steve Ramon (Red Bull KTM) will start in Ernée for the occasion in the MX2 and will therefore compete on a KTM SX-F 250 for the first and only time. Kevin Strijbos (Corona Suzuki) comes to his familiar RM-Z 450 in the Open class.
The hosts team consists of: Sebastien Tortelli (Red Bull KTM, MX2), Mickael Pichon (Martin Honda MX1) and David Vuillemin (Yamaha Motor France, Open). For Tortelli it is his first competition on a KTM, for Pichon the last on Honda (a week later Pichon in turn makes his debut on a KTM during the BC final in Pierreux).
The Americans send with Ivan German (Pro Circuit Kawasaki, MX2), Ricky Carmichael (Makita Suzuki, MX1) and Kevin Windham (Amsoil Honda, Open) a strong and experienced team.
On Sunday afternoon 25 September 2005 35.000 spectators line the Ernée circuit to watch the clash between the 2 most important motocross countries in the world. The stakes are high for the French riders, the French supporters expect nothing less than final victory from them.
1e heat (MX1/MX2)
In the opening heat, Carmichael immediately deprives the opposition of all hope. The American immediately takes the holeshot and initially leads Joshua Coppins en Tanel Leok. Pichon comes back strong after a crash in the early stages. Coppins, who will eventually finish 7 seconds behind Carmichael, is the only one who can stay close. Stefan Everts will finish fifth, 55 seconds behind Carmichael. The newly crowned MX2 world champion, Antonio Cairolli, who will compete in the MX1 for the occasion, gives up. Another MX2 rider is doing remarkably well on an MX8 bike with an 1th place. His name: Marc de Reuver. Tedesco is the best MX2 rider and so after the first round Team USA logically leads the rankings for France and Belgium.
2e heat (Open/MX2)
After a short break, the MX2 riders have to get back to work against the fresh men from the Open class. Initially, Kevin Windham leads the heat. But halfway through the match the American has to give way to the advancing one Ben Townley. The 'Kiwi' from Balen wants to leave Europe through the big gate at all costs and preferably with a podium place in "the Nations". Steve Ramon is the best-placed MX2 rider. His direct opponents, Tedesco and Tortelli, clash, crash and lose valuable time. Ramon will pass Windham and the surprisingly strong in the final phase David Philippaerts to finish third. Add Kevin Strijbos' sixth place and Belgium leads after the second round ahead of the US and France.
3e round (MX1/Open)
As always, the final decision will only be made in the third heat. Right from the start, Belgium's chances are dealt a major blow: Stefan Everts crashes on the first lap. At the front, Carmichael has already left for a second demonstration. Everts fights for what he is worth and is able to overtake quite a few riders in the first lap. After one round he is 19e. Townley confirms the lead with a second place behind the unapproachable Carmichael. With a win for Carmichael and a third place for Windham, the Americans again achieved the overall victory. Pichon and Vuillemin can't really shine in front of their own audience, but save with a 5e in 7. e place the furniture for France. The Belgians are doing less well and have to Chamberlain Trophy hand over again after two years.
Results MX of Nations 2005 Ernée France:
1e heat (MX1/MX2): 1. Ricky Carmichael – USA, Suzuki MX1; 2. Joshua Coppins – NZL, Honda MX1 ; 3. Mickaël Pichon – FRA, Honda MX1; 4. Tanel Leok – EST, Kawasaki MX1 ; 5. Stefan Everts – BEL, Yamaha MX1 ; 6. Ivan Tedesco – USA, Kawasaki MX2 ; 7. Sébastien Tortelli – FRA, KTM MX2; 8. Marc de Reuver – NED, KTM MX1; 9. Steve Ramon – BEL, KTM MX2 ; 10. Billy McKenzie – GBR, Yamaha;
2e round (MX2/Open): 1. Ben Townley – NZL, KTM Open; 2. David Vuillemin – FRA, Yamaha Open; 3. Steve Ramon – BEL, KTM MX2; 4. David Philippaerts – ITA, KTM Open; 5. Kevin Windham – USA, Honda Open; 6. Kevin Strijbos – BEL, Suzuki Open; 7. Javier Garcia-Vico – SPA, Honda Open; 8. Marc Ristori – ZWI, Honda Open; 9. Yoshitaka Atsuta, Honda Open; 10. Matti Seistola – FIN, Honda MX2;
3e round (MX1/Open): 1. Ricky Carmichael – USA, Suzuki MX1; 2. Ben Townley – NZL, KTM Open ; 3. Kevin Windham – USA, Honda Open; 4. Joshua Coppins – NZL, Honda MX1; 5. Mickaël Pichon – FRA, Honda MX1; 6. Marc de Reuver – NED, KTM MX1; 7. David Vuillemin – FRA, Yamaha Open ; 8. Kevin Strijbos – BEL, Suzuki Open ; 9. Stefan Everts – BEL, Yamaha MX1; 10. Tanel Leok – EST, Kawasaki MX1;
Country classification: 1. USA (Ivan Tedesco, Ricky Carmichael, Kevin Windham), 2. France (Sébastien Tortelli, Mickaël Pichon, David Vuillemin) 3. Belgium (Steve Ramon, Stefan Everts, Kevin Strijbos) 4. New Zealand (Cody Cooper, Joshua Coppins, Ben Townley), 5. Great Britain (Carl Nunn, Billy McKenzie, James Noble), 6. Estonia (Aigar Leok, Tanel Leok, Juss Laansoo), 7. Netherlands (Jan van Hastenberg, Marc de Reuver, Bas Verhoeven), 8. Portugal (Joaquim Rodrigues, Paulo Goncalves, Rui Goncalves). 9. South Africa (Tyla Rattray, Gareth Swanepoel, Neville Bradshaw), 10. Spain (Carlos Campano, Jonathan Barragan, Javier Garcia-Vico)
Photos: KTM Images/Ray Archer, Yamaha Racing
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