Press Release

Everts versus Tortelli, act II

 Two weeks after their first battle in Zolder, Stefan Everts and Sébastien Tortelli arrived in Bellpuig (Spain) for the second round of the 2006 FIM Motocross World Championship. The Spanish track is one of the oldest regular venues of the series, and a spectacular layout that riders always appreciate.

Compared to Zolder, Bellpuig can be considered as a “neutral” track as the ground is not as specific as the Belgian one. This track always suits to Stefan Everts, who won his first GP of the 20th century and started there in 2001 his successful comeback with Yamaha after two disappointing season. Sébastien Tortelli has also good memories of this track, as he started in 1996 his amazing 125 World Championship campaign. Winner of ten rounds of the series and crowned a few months later, he never came back in Catalunya but will find a “southern” track similar to his training circuits near Aix en Provence. The main change this season is that there is no more in Bellpuig the famous whoops section, as whoops are now forbidden on a MX track.


The winner of the GP 1 in Flanders - Stefan Everts

Will any other rider be able to battle with Everts and Tortelli? In Zolder they were too fast for their opponents, and lapped most of their rivals. Sick in Belgium, Mickael Pichon was supposed to miss several events but he finally decided to come in Bellpuig. He will probably not be fit enough as he had to rest during two weeks with a virus in his blood, but he wants to race! Without Joshua Coppins who had surgery two weeks ago there will be another good opportunity for several riders to claim a podium. Tanel Leok didn’t missed this opportunity two weeks ago, but his teammate Stephen Sword, the Suzuki boys Steve Ramon and Kevin Strijbos, Belgian Cedric Melotte and Ken De Dycker or Frenchman Pascal Leuret are also able to collect podium results this season.

For sure the Spanish fans will cheer Javier Garcia Vico and Jonathan Barragan who are both able to race for a podium result. Aboard his factory KTM Barragan is one of the most promising new talent in the MX1 class, while Vico is till recovering after his difficult 2005 campaign. Thanks to the involvement of the Spanish Federation who create several years ago a national team, and asked Harry Everts to train the riders, Spain has now young and promising riders in both classes.

Winner of the opening MX2 GP, Tyla Rattray expect to renew his success. The South African kid didn’t keep good memories from Bellpuig (his bike failed last year) and is looking for a fifth GP win in a row, but in this class nothing is never sure with so many fast and talentuous riders.

Practices start on Saturday at 9.30, with qualifying sessions from 2.00 to 5.00.

Information and results on www.motocrossmx1.com, the official website of the Motocross World Championships.

Fans worldwide can watch this and every race in the 2006 FIM Motocross & Supermoto World Championships live and on-demand exclusively on The Moto Channel on MediaZone (moto.MediaZone.com). MediaZone is a leading global online broadcaster specializing in sports, entertainment and international programming.