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One week to the start of the season. It’s always a tense time.
Every rider will be thinking the same. You ask yourself: have I done everything? Is my fitness right up to scratch? Is the bike the best it can be? Have we got the right setup? Suspension? Tyres? Is the team ready?
In my case I’m real happy with how my preparation has gone. I’m as fit as I’ve ever been, I’ve had excellent buildup races and my form has been improving gradually … I haven’t peaked too soon. The Honda is great, the team is on the case. Let’s roll!
This is the 40th anniversary year of the world 250 champs Torsten Hallman won the first back in 1962, his first of four titles on a Husky. And check out some of the names since then: Joel Robert, Harry Everts (yep dad of Stefan who won it himself three times a couple of decades later), Georges Jobe (who is doing all the work on the race at Qatar), Geboers (Eric, not Sylvain who never won a title), Albertyn … the list goes on. Time to put a Coppins in there.
A tip for all aspiring young racers coming to the world champs: don’t travel with Justin Morris. There’ll be tears before bedtime.
People are asking what I think the season will bring.
Smets to take it to Everts in the 500. Joel had a crap year in ‘01, I know, I trained with him quite a bit. Stefan is a huge rider of course titles in all three classes etc and he was in great form last season. Plus I don’t read too much into his modest showings so far this year, he’s a wily fox and I’m sure he hasn’t bothered to extend himself yet. But there is the persistent story about his arm problems, and he has had a lot of injuries over the years.
But the hot tip for the 500 watch Andrea on the CR450. A bit of an outsider against Smets and Everts, they say. But I’ve seen him close up while we’ve been preparing in the Honda camp and he is right back on the gas after that terrible back injury last year. Too much so the bugger has passed me at a couple of races!
Cost me a share of the lead in the Assoluti last weekend at Castiglione when he came by after I ran over my foot. One place further up and I would have been tied for points with Chiodi; as it is I’m a point behind. Sorry Andrea, no Christmas card this year (but then, nobody else gets one either).
In the 250 I can’t help thinking Pichon won’t have such an easy year. He looked dynamic winning ten GPs last season and believe me, I watched from as close as you can get, on track and in the pit. But when you analyse it, the three guys who were closest to Rocket the previous season all had major problems last year.
Pit Beirer spent more than half the year wrestling with suspension (and suspension is everything in MX) and only came right towards the end. Fred Bolley had all those horrible political problems, you had to feel for him. And I spent most of the championship fighting back from bike breakdowns. That left our little trio 5-6-7 in the title.
It was up to Crockard and later on Reed to keep Pichon honest.
This year Fred and Pit are back to their best already and I believe I’m coming into form at the right time. Crock might struggle with the KTM for a bit, having missed some prep with his injury, but I’m sure he will have his day during the year. Throw in current 125 champ Dobb, and former Chiodi, plus a couple of others, and 250 will again be where the fur flies.
In short, I can’t see Pichon having a cakewalk for one thing, everyone always guns for the reigning champ, ask Fred. But will he be good enough anyway, against sterner opposition? We’ll see. Look for a red bike or two in there.
Inside info tip for 250 riders: don’t eat with Justin Morris.
In the 125 there’s already been tension before the first GP. It’s not hard to pick the top four or five, but I won’t call the finishing order. However here’s the inside from the kiwi korner: my young pal Ben Townley looks like he’s ready to break through this year. Impressive placings over the past couple of weeks and an excellent training buildup, plus he’s well supported by Tinus and Glen at Big Five Vangani and also KTM … it all looks good for #33 Benny. When you see his name up the ladder in ’02, remember you read it here first.
Other predictions: the usual belly-aching over organisation. First serve is the scrapping of season passes for the travelling circus, everyone has to line up at each event. Sounds like chaos. And while the logistics guys running the teams may be pleased not to have the long haul out to Australia, it’s replaced by Russia and Bulgaria which bring their own hassles.
And a tenser-than-usual silly season starting mid-year as riders and teams jostle for positions next year when the class rules change.
Plus maybe some odd defections to SuperMotard (now called SuperMoto, I’m told from New Zealand which hosts the final round) and Supercross now that both have meaningful world championships.
New Zealand back on the podium at MX des Nations, I don’t care what the rule changes mean. It’s time we went back-to-back.
And another hot tip: don’t room with Justin Morris.
After the latest round of the Assoluti d’Italia I tucked into some more pasta, especially the next day (happy birthday to me!) and gave the sore leg a bit of rest.
Il Coppini did a bit of sightseeing. Went with some of the team over to Pisa, not far from the Maddii headquarters. Saw the tower of course. I think I’ve fixed it.
Reminds me of the time when I first came to Europe and we were travelling privateer in the old dunga truck. Came back from a meeting via Paris, so stopped in to see the Eiffel Tower.
Not many parking places around there, but that didn’t worry the Kiwi boys. Just parked alongside, piled in the back and went to sleep for the night. Next morning the gendarmerie weren’t too impressed. Oops.
After Italy we came north to train in the sand in Holland and Belgium. God it’s cold up here after Italia! We’ve had snow and ice and rain and winds … but we’ve got some good training in already and we’ll be fine-tuning in the week ahead.
So it’s first stop Valkenswaard. I’m ready. Bring it on.
Ciao
Josh #6
