Former World Champion Sébastien Tortelli confirmed, in the opening round of the 2006 FIM Motocross World Championship, that he would be the main contender for Stefan Everts, who won the Grand Prix of Flanders but is tight in the points with the Frenchman.
Despite new showers in the morning the race conditions were pretty good in Zolder, and most of the riders appreciate the work done by the race staff to offer them the best circuit. Rough, rutty and really demanding the track offered two nice races in the MX2 class, but there was less suspense in the MX1 class.
Sébastien Tortelli and Stefan Everts shared the wins today in Zolder, and both were so fast that none of their rivals were able to follow them. The Frenchman dominates the opening moto, and after a small crash Everts was unable to challenge his rival for the win. “After this mistake I came back quickly on the track and didn’t lost position, but I couldn’t find again a good rhythm,” explained Everts. The Belgian legend took his revenge in the following race; he took the lead in the first lap and rode consistently, while Tortelli had another great start and challenged him during half of the race. But later the KTM rider crashed with a lapper and lost too much time. “I was only three seconds behind Stefan when I crashed and lost a lot of time to re-start the bike, but I’m pretty happy with my results. We proved today that our team has work hard to solve the problems we had in the pre-season, and it was great to battle again with Stefan, with so many fans cheering us,” said Tortelli who seems to be the strongest opponent. Joshua Coppins didn’t entered the grand prix with a damaged shoulder, and Mickael Pichon retired early. “Mickael took cold two weeks ago in Valence and tried to ride, but he has too much fever – 40°C – and crashed in the first race. He can’t focused on the lines and that could be dangerous so he has no real choices,” explained his manager. Estonian Tanel Leok claimed his first podium aboard the 450 Kawasaki, followed by Belgians Steve Ramon, Kevin Strijbos and Ken De Dycker.
The racing was more exciting in the MX2 class, with six different leaders! Third of the first heat South African Tyla Rattray won the second moto and the overall classification. “I was third in the first race, but suddenly I had no more front brake! It was not really easy but I finished third and went to the second race with a strong motivation,” said Rattray. Second place was for Marc De Reuver (fourth and second) followed by Kenneth Gundersen (second and sixth), David Philippaerts (first and thirteen) and Christophe Pourcel (seventh and fourth). Seventh overall (fifteen and second) reigning World Champion Antonio Cairoli crashed in the first heat.