MX1 Ireland GP

The the MX1 races were full of magic moments. The opening moto it was CAS Honda rider Ken De Dycker and Suzuki factory rider Kevin Strijbos who put on the show. De Dycker holding the early lead until Strijbos took over. De Dycker came back though to win the moto. Steve Ramon and Sebastien Pourcel the two major title contenders had trouble early, Ramon holding down last place on the opening lap and Pourcel mid-pack. By race end Pourcel was fifth and Ramon 8th.
The second MX1 moto started well for both Pourcel and Ramon as they held first and third places in the opening stages of the moto. Ramon thought made a mistake and dropped back to 25th place soon after the start, and moto one winner Ken De Dycker had some problems and dropped back in the pack.
Strijbos began to pull away from Brown and Philippaerts and Ramon was working his way through the field, holding down sixth position after nine laps. Seb Pourcel began his own surge through the field and passed both Philippaerts and Brown for second place. With just five minutes left in the race Ramon moved into fourth position when Mike Brown made a mistake
and dropped back to 18th place. Strijbos eventually won the moto with a 34 second lead over Pourcel and Philippaerts in third.
In the MX1 World championship the weekend means that Josh Coppins remains the series leader with 445pts, Ramon is second with 433pts and Pourcel is on 400pts.
Strijbos comments
Of course I felt good all weekend and my races were good and the last race was easy for me. I just thought about racing my own GP, I don't know how far he (Ramon) is in the points and I just want to get as many as possible. He (Pourcel) gave me a gift by crashing, I was trying to catch him and it made it easier for me, so thanks Sebastien. I think the track was good, the jumps are good, but it wasn't good with the mud, but they did a good job and the made the jumps less steep. I think when it is dry it is one of the best tracks. The first moto I was first and then second and I got arm pump and Ken passed me again and I was just riding around. Second moto I made a gap on the others, so it was easy for me. I just want to do my race and finish maybe third in the championship.
Pourcel comments
It is good for the championship, my first moto was not so good and I took a bad start and didn't have good speed. The second moto I took a holeshot and fast first lap, bu then I crashed and it was the end of the race. I pushed really hard. It was difficult to race with Christophe in hospital. It was easier to ride knowing he is better. After my crash I pushed hard to come second. For the championship I had to pass Philippaerts. For sure it will be difficult and Kevin and David are riding fast. We will see what happens in the championship, I will see after the second race in Lierop (who wins the World title).
Philippaerts comments
The bike is very good today, but I had a small problem with the gas, but it's okay now. I didn't expect Jonathan to pass me in the first moto, he was a long way back, but then he passed me suddenly. I like this track, it's soft and very difficult, I don't like the jumps because when you land it is soft. For the championship points it is very close. Ireland was new for everyone and England is also new. Maybe Tommy Searle will give me some advice.

Cairoli World MX2 champion 2007

Antonio Cairoli is a two time World MX2 champion, adding the 2007 World MX2 title to his 2005 championship. With his biggest rival in the championship (Christophe Pourcel) out of the running due to an injury all Cairoli had to do was pick up one point in the opening moto of the MX2 class. As he has done so often this year Cairoli scored a moto win and his second title. It was a great day for the Italian as he also won the Grand Prix.
The opening moto was a piece of cake for the De Carli Yamaha rider as he came back from an average start to win the race easily, although Tommy Searle did ride a great race for second place. The second moto was a classic as Cairoli had a poor start and then fell, dropping back and leaving early leader Tommy Searle as the probable GP winner (Searle had finished second in the opening moto). Cairoli though is no quitter and fought back to slowly close in on Searle. With two laps to go Searles lead was 12 seconds, but like a magician Cairoli caught the Englishman and with half a lap remaining made a pass. The two made contact with Searle holding the lead, however shortly after Cairoli got his own back passing Searle and taking the KTM factory rider out. Searle remounted to finish with 2-2 results and second overall. Third overall was Rui Goncalves.

Cairoli comments
Normally I do this race to just win the championship and not go for the GP win. I felt good on this track and I felt better than the other riders on this track. I have such a good feeling this year and my condition is also verygood now. I don't know what happen with my start in the first moto. I tried to clean the gate, but it was really bad with all the mud and in the first corner I was on the inside and could pass some riders. I just rode smooth and found the lines, it wasn't difficult, I was thinking about the championship and that one race. I was so happy when I arrived to my team and they were waiting for me.
I started with pain in my finger in the second moto and I had to use the clutch a lot, so I had asome pain in my finger. I couldn't put the bike into second gear in the start and I was back in 18th and I tried to come back to the top, but I lost so much time behind Schiffer and I also used all the tear offs from my goggles. I always look where is Tommy , I knew if he won the second moto he would win the GP. I pushed very hard and I closed the gap, he made a small mistake and I got inside and passed him. After 10 of 12 minutes the wheel was really a problem and I was losing my balance.
For sure I ride always with number 222. I have good memories with this number and it's my number. I want another title in MX2 next year and then move to MX1. I was thinking about Pourcel, when he crashed I was not happy, when he is in the race it's more intereting, but that is motocross and I am sorry for him. I hope he comes home soon. I don't know what I do for a party, maybe tonight a small party.

A broken pelvis for Pourcel

A broken pelvis for Pourcel

Christophe Pourcel crashed in the morning’s warm up, dislocating his shoulder and injuring his back; the latest news is that the Frenchman has broken his pelvis, which means he has finished his 2007 GP campaign.

Josh Coppins out for Ireland

An open letter from Josh Coppins
17 augustus 2007
Hi there, I’m sorry to tell you I won’t be riding in Ireland. After seeing Dr. Claes on Monday he said it was best to sit this race out and be stronger for the last two. I had a second opinion from Dr. Costa Clinica mobile in Italy and they told me the same as Dr. Claes.


The new scan showed good calcium growth around the break but it isn’t hard enough. I’m disappointed because my points lead I worked all year on will be gone. Dr. Claes explained the healing process to me and in the first week not much happens with a broken bone. The 2nd week the calcification visiably starts to take place and you get some healing but the third and forth week is where things start to improve really fast and he was right. This week things have improved a lot!

I’m now lifting weight at the physio and swimming and today I started to run, so things are on the up. As I write this I am confident still because if I keep improving like I am I should be competitive in England and be able to push hard. I have another scan on Tuesday to confirm everything and then I’ll ride on Wednesday before going to Donnington. My days are busier than ever with a lot of treatment with the Peter my physio, and then training.

Again I want to thank everybody for your support, also all my sponsors for their understanding. Like I said last time I won’t give up and I’ll fight to the end. It’s been a tough few weeks but I’m happy that things have picked up and I’ll soon be on the track. For this weekend I plan to get some good training done like swimming and cycling and watch moto GP. I don’t really like to watch the mx1 and see my lead going down and down ha ha.

Before I close off I just want to say good job to BT. I watched his motos on the net last week in Millvile. He is on the gas! Good job boy. That’s it for now, hope to see you at the races very, very, soon and don’t give up on me just yet...

Cheers,
JC.

Billy Mac signs with CAS Honda

Billy MacKenzie has signed a two year deal with the British based CAS Honda Team. Who Billy's teammate will be for next year has to be decided yet. Ken de Dijcker is leaving the team and goes to the Suzuki Team of Sylvain Geboers. The American Mike Brown is talking with several teams for next year. Neil Prince the team manager of the CAS Honda team is excited to have Mackenzie on the Honda 450cc machine. Prince has wanted to sign Mackenzie in the past and with the contract signed Prince can now look forward to preparing for the teams assault on the 08 championship.
"Working with Billy is really exciting, he is a GP winner and knows what it takes to be on top of the podium. Billy has shown great results in recent time and his British championship performances have also been impressive. Billy is one of the riders who works for his results and that is what we are looking for."

Grand Prix if Northern Ireland

Grand Prix if Northern Ireland

The Grand Prix of Northern Ireland has some great history. In less than two weeks the World Championship Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland will be hosted at Moneyglass Demesne, Ireland’s newest motocross track. Preparations are well under way at the site which will not only welcome the Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland on 18th & 19th August 2007 but also the world’s largest and most prestigious motocross race, the Motocross of Nations, in September 2008.

Of course the World MX2 championship looks likely to be decided at the Grand Prix of Northern Ireland. Antonio Cairoli heads to the 13th round of the World championship with a huge lead and only a miracle will see the championship end in the hands of defending champion Christophe Pourcel. Of course the last four GPs have been won by different riders. Cairoli won in Sweden, then came Pourcel, Nicolas Aubin in Loket and David Guarneri in Namur. So many first time GP winners in both MX1 and MX2 this year proves that the sport is in good hands with many young riders coming to the challenge of the veterans.

In the MX1 class Josh Coppins will do his best to return to action. The shoulder injury by Coppins has turned the MX1 class into a free for all as Steve Ramon, Sebastien Pourcel and David Philippaerts now feel they have a chance of winning the World title.

The question is will Coppins be able to race, and if so, can he pick up enough points to go into the next round in England as the series favorite. Ramon is now just 43 points behind Coppins with Pourcel another 40 points back and Philippaerts 11pts off Pourcels score. Anything can happen in Northern Ireland and be sure that it probably will. The MX1 class is so competative at the moment you might just see Pourcel and Philippaerts close the gap on Ramon and Coppins.

There are still 150 points to be won, who will take the lions share at the new Moneyglass Demesne circuit, will it be Coppins, Ramon, Pourcel or Philippaerts. So far this year we have had several riders winning GPs. Those including Josh Coppins (5), Kevin Strijbos (2), Billy Mackenzie, David Philippaerts, Ken De Dycker, and Sebastien Pourcel (2), such an exciting time for the sport after the retirement of Stefan Everts.

This new venue for the FIM World Championship Motocross Grand Prix of Northern Ireland 2007 and Motocross of Nations 2008 is Moneyglass Demesne, Roguery Road, Toomebridge, Co. Antrim BT41 3PT. Both Belfast International Airport (www.belfastairport.com) and Belfast City Airport (www.belfastcityairport.com) are close to the track and offer flights from UK, USA and Europe. For travel by ferry from the UK please visit P&O Irish Sea, our Official Ferry Partner for the event.

For details on accommodation close to the track please visit www.antrim.gov.uk or contact Antrim Tourist Information Centre at E: info@antrim.gov.uk / Tel: +44 (0) 2894 428331 / Fax: +44 (0) 2894 487844. Make sure you book your flight and hotel, this is going to be one very exciting round of a spectacular 2007 season.