Continental close-up...
By TMX Archives on 23rd Mar 07
THE early season shakedown continued in every corner of Europe at the weekend with championship racing in Holland, France, Spain and Italy.
The Dutch opener at Gemert saw Marc De Reuversnatch his first victory his returning to Yamaha, but he only beat MaxNagl on the second moto tie-break after they had traded 1-3 motoscores. Tanel Leok was third from 5-2 with Steve Ramon fourth after a2-5 day.
Josh Coppins took the missing result amongst thefront runners - a fourth - in the first moto, but DNF-ed in race two,while Marvin Van Daele, the last of the 'names' racing at Gemert wentDNF-4.
In the MX2 class Erik Eggens ended the day asoverall winner from 2-2 ahead of Tyla Rattray 4-1 with George Strikthird after 9-4 finishes. Surprise winner of the first moto was MarkusSchiffer, indeed Sarholz KTMs won the first moto in both classes.
Also on the programme was the 85cc opener and MaxAnstie was second overall to Jeff Herlings - we're not certain, but weassume this is son of 1970/80s Dutch star, Peter Herlings.
Max killed them in race two, but gave away theoverall when he fell midway through the first moto after advancing from14th to third. He got back on ninth to finish seventh on the day.
Down in France Mickael Pichon was making one ofhis periodic racing appearances when he raced the MX1 national opener,raced locally to his Le Mans home at a place called La Chapelle. Thetwo times world champ was third overall from a 1-7 score-line, headedon the day by Sebastien Pourcel (3-1) and Pierre-Andre Renet (2-2).
Nicolas Aubin again won the MX2 class to extend his points lead to 36 over Pascal Leuret.
Jonathan Barragan got a shock at the second roundof the Spanish championship with a doubled defeat at the hands ofAlvaro Lozano with Garcia Vico completing the podium, and there wasalso a moto defeat for factory KTM colleague David Philippaerts inItaly when Alex Salvini shared top points on the day at Gallarate.Manuel Priem, though headed in the first moto by Cristian Beggi on theWRM, was third for TM and veteran Andrea Bartolini raced home fourthfrom a 5-5 day.
Chicco Chiodi returned to action with a brace of sixth places, but Aprilia team-mate Cedric Melotte hurt a knee.