Sebastien Pourcel Brings Home Spanish GP Pole

BELLPUIG (SPAIN), 19 April 2008 – The qualifying session of this second Grand Prix of the season in Bellpuig took place on a dry course despite the expected rain.

Frenchman Sebastien Pourcel took pole in the MX1 class, handing the Green Team their third consecutive qualifying success in Bellpuig after the 2006 and 2007 poles from Tanel Leok.

In the MX2 class the qualifying moto’s were a KTM affair with fellow riders Tyla Rattray and Anthony Boissiere winning the first and the second heat respectively.

In this opening round of the Veterans Motocross World Cup Belgian Peter Iven took the pole from last year’s World Cup winner Dave Thorpe.

MX1

Winning the Lovemytime Pole Position Award, GPKR’s Sebastien Pourcel was impressive in the MX1 qualifying session as the French GP winner was the only rider capable of lapping under the 1 minute 51 second barrier; Pourcel, who won both moto’s in the second MX3 World Championship round at Castelnau (France) last weekend, clocked his best lap with 15 minutes to go, sealing the pole from the closest rival Maximilian Nagl of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.

The latter ended the 2007 Spanish GP with a positive third overall, collecting his maiden podium to clinch his second one at the latest Grand Prix at Valkenswaard.

Reigning World Champion Steve Ramon of Teka Suzuki WMX1 brought home a solid third place right ahead of team mate and current series leader Ken de Dycker.

Last year’s poleman Tanel Leok of Kawasaki Racing completed the top five, more than one second away from Pourcel.

Yamaha Monster Motocross team mates David Philippaerts and Joshua Coppins –winner in Bellpuig last year- were respectively sixth and eighth, sandwiching British factory Honda rider Billy Mackenzie of CAS in seventh.

Home rider Jonathan Barragan of AXO KTM Silver Action and Martin Honda’s Julien Bill ended the top ten.

British manufacturer CCM was supposed to step back into GP racing with Ollie Sandiford Smith after a 19 year absence. Unfortunately the British rider dislocated his shoulder during practice and could not take part in the qualifying. Now CCM rescheduled its debut to the British Grand Prix at Mallory Park, June 1st.

Kevin Strijbos of GPKR ended a bitter 21st due to an injury to his right thumb from the free practice sessions.

Top five: 1. Sebastien Pourcel (FRA, Kawasaki), 1:50.659; 2. Maximilian Nagl (GER, KTM), +0:00.739; 3. Steve Ramon (BEL, Suzuki), +0:00.868; 4. Ken de Dycker (BEL, Suzuki), +0:01.174; 5. Tanel Leok (EST, Kawasaki), +0:01.204

Since he won the MX3 French round last weekend, Sebastien Pourcel is on a high

MX2

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Tyla Rattray and KTM fellow rider Anthony Boissiere of KTM HDI MX won today’s qualifying heats to pick the best gate positions for tomorrow’s Grand Prix and to bring home the glamorous Lovemytime Qualifying Awards. This was Boissiere’s maiden qualifying heat win, confirming his choice to move to the orange machinery at the end of 2007.

Other Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Tommy Searle finished second in moto one, ahead of an ill Tony Cairoli of Yamaha Red Bull De Carli. CLS’ Frenchman Steven Frossard rode to a solid second in heat two in front of 3C Racing’s Manuel Monni.

The Lovemytime Pole Position and Qualifying Awards winners brought home an iPod and portable loudspeakers; (from left to right: Tyla Rattray, Anthony Boissiere, Sebastien Pourcel)

MX2 QUALIFYING RACE 1

Right when the gate dropped, the trio Searle, Rattray and Cairoli pulled away from the rest of the pack; with the Brit taking the holeshot, Rattray took the lead throughout the opening lap to be then robbed of his leadership by Cairoli, passing on the outside of the first corner after the start straight. Cairoli made a first mistake to drop down to third, then slipped and restarted his chase from eighth. In the meantime leader Rattray and runner up Searle pulled away from the rest of the field to arrive at the flag in first and second place respectively. Cairoli, riding with a strong flu that affects him since Thursday, worked his way up to third ahead of Shaun Simpson and Davide Guarneri, with the latter suffering from a broken ligament in his right collarbone.

Top five: 1. Tyla Rattray (RSA, KTM), 25:21.606; ; 2. Tommy Searle (GBR, KTM), +0:01.501; 3. Antonio Cairoli (ITA, Yamaha), +0:05.043; 4. Shaun Simpson (GBR, KTM), +0:29.599; 5. Davide Guarneri (ITA, Yamaha), +0:40.961

Despite his flu, Tony Cairoli was his fast self today at Bellpuig

MX2 QUALIFYING RACE 2

Jeremy Tarroux took the holeshot and lead until he crashed; with the Frenchman retiring, countryman and fellow KTM rider Boissiere took the lead and stayed a comfortable first for the remaining laps. A fast Erik Eggens followed Boissiere until he was passed by a fast Frossard, collecting the runner up position. Eggens progressively slipped down to an eventual sixth, with Monni, Rui Goncalves and Marvin Musquin also moving past the Dutch sand specialist. Crashing out during the opening laps, fastest lap setter Nicolas Aubin could not finish the qualifying moto but gained his access to tomorrow’s GP via the last chance. Stephen Sword crashed during the first laps, rejoining the race from the very back of the group to work his way up to tenth.

Top five: 1. Anthony Boissiere (FRA, KTM), 25:39.424; ; 2. Steven Frossard (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:05.080; 3. Manuel Monni (ITA, Yamaha), +0:08.686; 4. Rui Goncalves (POR, KTM), +0:10.915; 5. Marvin Musquin (FRA, Honda), +0:18.264;

FIM VETERANS MOTOCROSS WORLD CUP

Belgian Peter Iven was the poleman in this opening round of the FIM Veterans Motocross World Cup, the series hosting the most legendary Motocross riders of the past such as today’s second fastest Dave Thorpe. The three time 500cc World Champion and last year’s World Cup winner was almost two seconds off Iven’s pole. Scott Eastwood took the third fastest time ahead of CCM mounted Greg Hanson. The latter has been the last Grand Prix rider of the British manufacturer back in 1989 and this result represented an historic comeback for both. Freddy Verherstraeten rounded off the top five ahead of 2006 World Cup winner Thierry Godfroid, who was back to action after last year’s injury at Donington Park. Former GP winner Charles Sun ended eleventh after a day he spent to get to know the track of Bellpuig, where the Cup comes for the first time since its opening edition in 2006. Last year’s World Cup winner Tony Cooksley was right behind in 12th.

Top five: 1. Peter Iven (BEL, Kawasaki), 2:00.143; 2. Dave Thorpe (GBR, Honda), +0:01.987; 3. Scott Eastwood (GBR, Honda), +0:02.887; 4. Greg Hanson (GBR, CCM), +0:03.201; 5. Freddy Verherstraeten (BEL, Kawasaki), +0:03.462

THE CIRCUIT DE MOTOCROS DE CATALUNYA AND BELLPUIG

The Circuit de Motocros de Catalunya is one of the best permanent Spanish motocross courses; the fantastic track layout provides excellent racing and lots of home fans show up during the weekend for a strong crowd attendance each year. The ground is normally hard pack but rain can turn it upside down as it did last year; the 2007 Grand Prix was held on a very muddy and demanding course with Yamaha fellow riders Joshua Coppins (MX1) and Antonio Cairoli (MX2) taking the overall victory at the end of an extremely tough race.

Bellpuig is one of the most important towns in the province of Lleida, in Catalonia. It is 300 metres above the sea level and it is located 130 kilometres North West of Barcelona. The town was a barony in the past and part of that era is still alive in the castle looming over the town and in the monastery. Nowadays the city is very well developed and modern, courtesy of its healthy economy based on the commercial sector. The particular yellow and green flag features the hills surrounding the town, which has about 4755 inhabitants (2007).

THE EVENT’S SCHEDULE

Sunday April 20: Veterans Warm-up at 9:00 am; MX2 Warm-up at 9:30 am; MX1 Warm-up at 10:00 am; Veterans Race 1 at 11:10 am; MX2 Grand Prix Race 1 at 12:10 am; MX1 Grand Prix Race 1 at 1:10 pm; Veterans Race 2 at 2:10 pm; MX2 Grand Prix Race 2 at 3:03 pm; MX1 Grand Prix Race 2 at 4:03 pm (local time).

The Grand Prix will be broadcast live on (updated schedule):

• EUROSPORT 2 (Pan Europe) : MX1 Race 1 at 13:00 CET

• MOTORS TV (Pan Europe - co commentary by Frederic Bolley): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00 CET

• SPORT ITALIA (Italy): MX2 Race 1 at 13:00 CET

• TV3 (Spain): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00; MX1 Race 1 at 13:00 and Race 2 at 16:00 CET

• VRT (Belgium): MX1 Race 1 at 13:00 CET

• GALAXIE SPORT (Czech Republic): MX2 Race 2 at 15:00 CET

• ART (Pan Middle East): MX1 Race 2 at 16:00 CET

• SPORT TV (Slovenia): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00 CET

• MEDIAZONE (Worldwide): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00; MX1 Race 1 at 13:00 and Race 2 at 16:00 CET

• TRANS 7 (Indonesia): MX2 Race 1 at 12:00 and Race 2 at 15:00; MX1 Race 1 at 13:00 and Race 2 at 16:00 CET

The Grand Prix will be broadcast delayed on (updated schedule):

• EUROSPORT 2 (Pan Europe) : Sunday April 20; MX1 Race 2 at 17:00 CET

• SPORT ITALIA (Italy): Sunday April 20; MX2 Race 2 at 17:00, MX1 Race 1 at 00:00 and Race 2 at 01:00 CET

• VRT (Belgium): Sunday April 20; MX1 Race 2 at 18:00 CET

• EUROSPORT WORLD (Pan Asia): Sunday April 20; MX1 Race 2 at 15:15 and 21:30, Race 1 at 21:00. Monday April 21; MX1 Race 2 at 16:15; MX2 Class at 17:00 and at 22:30. Tuesday April 22; MX2 Class at 5:30 GMT.

• AMERICA ONE SPORTS (USA): Second Tuesday after the GP; MX2 Race 2 at 21:00; MX1 Race 2 at 22:00 USA Eastern Time

• GAORA: MX2 Race 1 and Race 2; MX1 Race 1 and Race 2; N/A CET

In occasion of this second Grand Prix of 2008, MX1 rider Julien Bill of Martin Honda will have an onboard TV camera mounted on his factory 450cc machine, adding an extra feature to the worldwide distributed television program.

LINKS
FIM
RFME-Real Federacion Motociclista Española
Circuit de Motocròs de Catalunya
Bellpuig

Information, photos and results are online at www.motocrossMX1.com, the official website of the FIM Motocross World Championships.

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