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Date: 31 July/1 August 1999
Event: World 500cc Motocross Championships - Round 9
Venue: Namur, Belgium
Weather Conditions: Hot & humid, 30 degrees
Track Conditions: sandy, cobblestones, rocky, dusty
Race One: Shayne made a great start but was taken down by another rider. He got going and was near to last position. After the first lap he was already up to 25th place. Shayne said, \"I was just trying as hard as I could after the first corner incident. It was really dusty and difficult to see so I was just passing blind. I really needed to get every point I could, so i was giving it 110%.\" He managed to get up to 7th place after passing Trampas Parker on the last lap and was really happy with that, considering. \"I really wanted to win the GP, but I will just have to settle for a win in the second race\", Shayne said.
Race Two: Shayne made a very impressive start, coming into the first corner one and half bike lengths ahead. \"Peter Johansson passed me on the inside as I ran wide so I had to pass him back. When we came back to the view of the pits 3 minutes later I had around a 3 second lead. It is just the most amazing feeling going through the woods of Namur and hearing thousands of spectators and airhorns cheering for me. When you come out into the main citadel area and you are alone the crow give you a huge roar & all you can hear is your own bike if you have a great lead - I love it.\"
Shayne opened up a gap of 8 seconds and maintained it through the rest of the race to win moto two. Namur is a very technial circuit, they call it the Monaco of Motocross as it is very demanding and dangerous. After winning the GP in 1998 Shayne was looking for a repeat this weekend but even after the first heat start he still finished up third overall. Shayne said, \"I am really looking forward to the Grand Prix in Luxembourg this weekend because I want to move up into the top five in the championship. I am around 7 points behind Yamaha\'s Alessandro Puza.
