Rinaldi Yamaha rider Stefan Everts clinched his second victory of the 2006 pre-season motocross period last weekend with a comprehensive display at the Pernes Les Fontaines International meeting in France.
Under sunny skies and good racing conditions the nine times world champion and factory Yamaha star claimed both MX1 motos onboard his 2006 spec YZ450FM, defeating a number of his world championship peers including Honda's Josh Coppins, KTM's Mickael Pichon and Sebastien Tortelli and Suzuki's Steve Ramon.
The 33 year old has won the MX1 World Championship for the last two seasons and will be pushing for a tenth career title in his final Grand Prix campaign this term. Everts hole-shotted the first race and kept a healthy distance over Coppins. The Belgian was forced to hold off Pichon in the second moto and also overtook Coppins who had started very quickly. A battle raged until the flag with Everts able to defeat the 2005 MX1 runner-up by less than three seconds at the finish.
After his triumph at Mantova in Italy two weeks ago Everts will now try for a 'hatrick' by travelling to Hawkstone Park in England for another star-studded meeting. The first Grand Prix of fifteen in the 2006 FIM World Championship is now a month away and is scheduled to take place at Zolder in Belgium on April 1st/2nd.
Results MX1 Moto1:
1. Everts, Yamaha
2. Coppins, Honda 5.055
3. Pourcel, Kawasaki 5.985
4. Demaria, KTM 8.278
5. T. Leok, Kawasaki 26.743
6. Sword, Kawasaki 33.103
7. Bill, Yamaha 45.117
8. Ramon, Suzuki 47.994
9. Ristori, Honda 48.701
10. Strijbos, Suzuki 51.887
Results MX1 Moto2:
1. Everts, Yamaha
2. Coppins, Honda 2.233
3. Pichon, KTM 4.855
4. Tortelli, KTM 18.055
5. Demaria, KTM 43.741
6. De Dycker, Honda 52.211
7. Sword, Kawasaki 55.164
8. T. Leok, Kawasaki 59.411
9. Strijbos, Suzuki 1'02.96
10. Leuret, Honda 1'03.127
Overall standings:
1. Everts 50
2. Coppins 44
3. Demaria 34
4. Sword 29
5. T. Leok 29
6. Bill 24
7. Pichon 23
8. Strijbos 23
9. Ramon 22
10. Leuret 21
11. Pourcel 20
12. Tortelli 18
13. De Dycker 15
14. Martin 15
15. Priem 13