Everts completes dream finale
By TMX Archives on 17th Sep 06
Stefan Everts closed a record-breaking career - boasting numbers and results surely never to be equalled - with his fourteenth victory from fifteen events Ernee at the French Grand Prix for the final round of the FIM 2006 MX1 World Championship.
The 33-year-old decorated Belgian, 2006 World Champion and ten times title winner across 125, 250, 500, MXGP and MX1 classes scooped his 101st career victory with two double triumphs watched and applauded by 17.000 appreciative spectators. The masses acknowledged a special chapter in motocross history as Everts took to the podium for the fifteenth time this year and for the final occasion after an eighteen year stint at the highest level.
The Ernee circuit had dried significantly after lengthy spells of rain on Friday led towards the practice programme being shortened on Saturday in the interests of preserving the terrain. Sunday witnessed blue sky and sunshine for the first time in three days and the hill-side track was a slippery and rough test with many ruts chopping the corners and jump take-offs.
The Ernee circuit had dried significantly after lengthy spells of rain on Friday led towards the practice programme being shortened on Saturday in the interests of preserving the terrain. Sunday witnessed blue sky and sunshine for the first time in three days and the hill-side track was a slippery and rough test with many ruts chopping the corners and jump take-offs.
Steering his YZ450FM with a new colour scheme that involved a chequered flag design inscribed with his 100 Grand Prix victories, as well as a set of white painted Pirelli tyres, Everts pulled away from Jonathan Barragan in the first moto for a comfortable victory as main rivals Mickael Pichon and Josh Coppins both fell. Coppins recovered to sixth.
The World Champion was also using new white Acerbis gear with large sections of shiny gold befitting his status as the king of the sport. The second race was a similar walkover and Everts had a lead of more than ten seconds by the end of the first third of the sprint.
Everts completed a victory lap and then a lengthy podium ceremony with his World Championship peers gathered around in celebration.
Cedric Melotte will carry the number 11 plate for 2007. The Belgian's injured foot was still too painful for him to compete in what would have been his last Grand Prix for the Rinaldi team after a three year association.
From 15 Grand Prix Everts has won 14 and 27 motos, 22 of which he clinched in a row. He recorded 8 pole positions and posted 739 points from a possible maximum of 750. His lowest result was a third position taken in the first moto at Bellpuig for the Grand Prix of Spain.
Yamaha, with the new YZ450FM that has been so dominant this season, claimed the manufacturer's crown in Ireland and completed the campaign 140 points ahead of Suzuki. Michele Rinaldi has now finished his term as Team Manager and will step down to allow his brother Carlo to assume the reigns for 2007 and beyond.
Everts will now captain Team Belgium at Matterley Basin for the 60th Motocross of Nations next week for his last major international event.
The World Champion was also using new white Acerbis gear with large sections of shiny gold befitting his status as the king of the sport. The second race was a similar walkover and Everts had a lead of more than ten seconds by the end of the first third of the sprint.
Everts completed a victory lap and then a lengthy podium ceremony with his World Championship peers gathered around in celebration.
Cedric Melotte will carry the number 11 plate for 2007. The Belgian's injured foot was still too painful for him to compete in what would have been his last Grand Prix for the Rinaldi team after a three year association.
From 15 Grand Prix Everts has won 14 and 27 motos, 22 of which he clinched in a row. He recorded 8 pole positions and posted 739 points from a possible maximum of 750. His lowest result was a third position taken in the first moto at Bellpuig for the Grand Prix of Spain.
Yamaha, with the new YZ450FM that has been so dominant this season, claimed the manufacturer's crown in Ireland and completed the campaign 140 points ahead of Suzuki. Michele Rinaldi has now finished his term as Team Manager and will step down to allow his brother Carlo to assume the reigns for 2007 and beyond.
Everts will now captain Team Belgium at Matterley Basin for the 60th Motocross of Nations next week for his last major international event.
Stefan Everts, Yamaha Intur Sport Motocross Team:
"It wasn't such a difficult race. I really wanted to enjoy this day and try to capture a lot of things that I can remember later about the weekend. It has been a great GP and Yamaha and Team Rinaldi have made some really nice surprises. To go into retirement with a victory here at my last Grand Prix is wonderful. Just before the second race I was getting emotional when the 15 second board' went up. I said to myself for the last time I am going to go for it and enjoy it. It has been a great year and an awesome ride. I could not have expected such a record with 14 out of 15 GPs. I think Japan was the best; I have never won a GP so easy. The Yamaha this year is for sure one of the best bikes I have ridden. When I got the new 450 last October I immediately felt that I could step up my level and speed, but I was not expecting to win this many races. Thanks again to the team and to everyone around me who has supported me."
Carlo Rinaldi, Racing Manager, Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team:
"Every time it is harder to make some comment about these fantastic races. I have to admit that I had some doubt before today because I saw Stefan mentally tired in Lierop, but I do not know where he found the resolve and the energy to make two very good starts and easy motos. He was pushing just enough to win again twice. It is sad to make a farewell for him but we are very proud of our history and our record over the last six years. This is the best way to say goodbye to him and for him to say goodbye to motocross. The new bike has been working so well and has been excellent for Stefan's riding style. The season has not finished in a good way for Cedric but the injury he sustained at the Belgian Championship meant that he couldn't ride. We still have a good relationship with him and wish him luck for the future."
"It wasn't such a difficult race. I really wanted to enjoy this day and try to capture a lot of things that I can remember later about the weekend. It has been a great GP and Yamaha and Team Rinaldi have made some really nice surprises. To go into retirement with a victory here at my last Grand Prix is wonderful. Just before the second race I was getting emotional when the 15 second board' went up. I said to myself for the last time I am going to go for it and enjoy it. It has been a great year and an awesome ride. I could not have expected such a record with 14 out of 15 GPs. I think Japan was the best; I have never won a GP so easy. The Yamaha this year is for sure one of the best bikes I have ridden. When I got the new 450 last October I immediately felt that I could step up my level and speed, but I was not expecting to win this many races. Thanks again to the team and to everyone around me who has supported me."
Carlo Rinaldi, Racing Manager, Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team:
"Every time it is harder to make some comment about these fantastic races. I have to admit that I had some doubt before today because I saw Stefan mentally tired in Lierop, but I do not know where he found the resolve and the energy to make two very good starts and easy motos. He was pushing just enough to win again twice. It is sad to make a farewell for him but we are very proud of our history and our record over the last six years. This is the best way to say goodbye to him and for him to say goodbye to motocross. The new bike has been working so well and has been excellent for Stefan's riding style. The season has not finished in a good way for Cedric but the injury he sustained at the Belgian Championship meant that he couldn't ride. We still have a good relationship with him and wish him luck for the future."
Michele Rinaldi, Team Manager, Yamaha Intur Sports Motocross Team:
"We signed Stefan for the 2001 season and we have had six years together trying to do our best. We have made some exceptional results. He is going to stop his career while still winning races and this is something unbelievable for sportsmen because you do not see this often, in any sport not just motocross. We have worked hard as a team but with a great Champion like Stefan he can really show all that effort. Motocross is a hard sport with many good riders but we did not expect a season like this. I think everyone; the team, Yamaha and Stefan can be satisfied today. It is a special day for me also and it was difficult for me this morning as my last time managing the team out front because next year I will be more behind-the-scenes and focus on YZ technical development."
Laurens Klein Koerkamp, Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe:
"It is difficult to comment because it is hard to take in what has happened today. It is the end of an era of a very special rider. To win six world titles with this Champion is an exceptional achievement and now it is the end of a unique relationship between rider and machine. It is an emotional day. Many years ago we raced mainly with prototype machines and every season we got closer and closer to using a production bike. Stefan's Yamaha this year is pretty stock, the frame is standard. Engine-wise there have been some tweaks but basically the Rinaldi team have worked with a production motorcycle that is already very good. We are really happy to have won in 2006 with this model."
"We signed Stefan for the 2001 season and we have had six years together trying to do our best. We have made some exceptional results. He is going to stop his career while still winning races and this is something unbelievable for sportsmen because you do not see this often, in any sport not just motocross. We have worked hard as a team but with a great Champion like Stefan he can really show all that effort. Motocross is a hard sport with many good riders but we did not expect a season like this. I think everyone; the team, Yamaha and Stefan can be satisfied today. It is a special day for me also and it was difficult for me this morning as my last time managing the team out front because next year I will be more behind-the-scenes and focus on YZ technical development."
Laurens Klein Koerkamp, Racing Manager, Yamaha Motor Europe:
"It is difficult to comment because it is hard to take in what has happened today. It is the end of an era of a very special rider. To win six world titles with this Champion is an exceptional achievement and now it is the end of a unique relationship between rider and machine. It is an emotional day. Many years ago we raced mainly with prototype machines and every season we got closer and closer to using a production bike. Stefan's Yamaha this year is pretty stock, the frame is standard. Engine-wise there have been some tweaks but basically the Rinaldi team have worked with a production motorcycle that is already very good. We are really happy to have won in 2006 with this model."
| Crowd: 17000 | Weather: Dry |
| 2006 GP of Ernée, France 17/09/2006 |
| Race 1 - 20 Laps |
| Pos. | Rider | Manu. | Nat. | Total Time |
| 1 | Stefan Everts | Yamaha | BEL | 39'47.108 |
| 2 | Jonathan Barragan | KTM | ESP | 0'3.994 |
| 3 | Kevin Strijbos | Suzuki | BEL | 0'20.304 |
| 4 | Tanel Leok | Kawasaki | EST | 0'31.984 |
| 5 | Ken De Dycker | Honda | BEL | 0'34.192 |
| 6 | Joshua Coppins | Honda | NZL | 0'36.959 |
| 7 | Steve Ramon | Suzuki | BEL | 0'47.813 |
| 8 | Brian Jorgensen | Honda | DNK | 0'52.007 |
| 9 | James Noble | Honda | GBR | 0'55.251 |
| 10 | Pascal Leuret | Honda | FRA | 0'57.249 |
| 11 | Kornel Nemeth | Suzuki | HUN | 1'1.372 |
| 12 | Gordon Crockard | Honda | GBR | 1'6.338 |
| 13 | Mark Jones | Honda | GBR | 1'17.602 |
| 14 | Clement Desalle | Suzuki | BEL | 1'20.666 |
| 15 | Julien Vanni | KTM | FRA | 1'21.569 |
| 16 | Javier Garcia Vico | Honda | ESP | 1'22.536 |
| 17 | Manuel Priem | Yamaha | BEL | 1'23.742 |
| 18 | Antti Pyrhonen | TM | FIN | 1'33.622 |
| 19 | Alex Salvini | Suzuki | ITA | 1'36.562 |
| 20 | Marvin Van Daele | Honda | BEL | 1'39.433 |
| Race 2 - 20 Laps |
| Pos. | Rider | Manu. | Nat. | Total Time |
| 1 | Stefan Everts | Yamaha | BEL | 39'50.449 |
| 2 | Joshua Coppins | Honda | NZL | 0'8.456 |
| 3 | Tanel Leok | Kawasaki | EST | 0'18.562 |
| 4 | Kevin Strijbos | Suzuki | BEL | 0'28.354 |
| 5 | Jonathan Barragan | KTM | ESP | 0'30.939 |
| 6 | Steve Ramon | Suzuki | BEL | 0'32.686 |
| 7 | Kornel Nemeth | Suzuki | HUN | 0'47.489 |
| 8 | Ken De Dycker | Honda | BEL | 0'58.681 |
| 9 | James Noble | Honda | GBR | 1'1.768 |
| 10 | Gordon Crockard | Honda | GBR | 1'6.694 |
| 11 | Bas Verhoeven | Kawasaki | NED | 1'8.514 |
| 12 | Pascal Leuret | Honda | FRA | 1'16.892 |
| 13 | Marvin Van Daele | Honda | BEL | 1'31.347 |
| 14 | Manuel Priem | Yamaha | BEL | 1'39.713 |
| 15 | Mark Jones | Honda | GBR | 1'41.730 |
| 16 | Clement Desalle | Suzuki | BEL | 1'44.078 |
| 17 | Antti Pyrhonen | TM | FIN | 1'50.532 |
| 18 | Cyril Coulon | Suzuki | FRA | -1 Laps |
| 19 | Lauris Freibergs | Suzuki | LVA | -1 Laps |
| 20 | Rodrig Thain | Kawasaki | FRA | -1 Laps |
| Best Lap |
| Rider | Manu. | Nat. | Total Time |
| Stefan Everts | Yamaha | BEL | 1'56.367 |
| Rider Standings | 17/09/2006 | |
| Pos. | Rider | Manu. | Nat. | Points |
| 1. | Stefan Everts | Yamaha | BEL | 739 |
| 2. | Kevin Strijbos | Suzuki | BEL | 529 |
| 3. | Steve Ramon | Suzuki | BEL | 483 |
| 4. | Ken De Dycker | Honda | BEL | 463 |
| 5. | Tanel Leok | Kawasaki | EST | 443 |
| 6. | Jonathan Barragan | KTM | ESP | 376 |
| 7. | Joshua Coppins | Honda | NZL | 330 |
| 8. | Manuel Priem | Yamaha | BEL | 278 |
| 9. | Pascal Leuret | Honda | FRA | 267 |
| 10. | James Noble | Honda | GBR | 226 |
| 11. | Cedric Melotte | Yamaha | BEL | 224 |
| 12. | Javier Garcia Vico | Honda | ESP | 201 |
| 13. | Gordon Crockard | Honda | GBR | 173 |
| 14. | Antti Pyrhonen | TM | FIN | 168 |
| 15. | Julien Bill | Yamaha | GBR | 167 |
| 16. | Marvin Van Daele | Honda | BEL | 155 |
| 17. | Brian Jorgensen | Honda | DNK | 144 |
| 18. | Wyatt Avis | KTM | RSA | 120 |
| 19. | Kornel Nemeth | Suzuki | HUN | 106 |
| 20. | Danny Theybers | Suzuki | BEL | 102 |
| Manufacturer Standings | 17/09/2006 | |
| Pos. | Manufacturer | Points |
| 1. | Yamaha | 739 |
| 2. | Suzuki | 599 |
| 3. | Honda | 576 |
| 4. | Kawasaki | 458 |
| 5. | KTM | 454 |
| 6. | TM | 168 |