The UFO Grand Prix of Italy was a perfect combination of MX races and wonderful weather, with sunshine for the whole day.
It was actually a perfect weekend, attracting something like 26 thousand spectators to the Miravalle circuit of Montevarchi.
The most exciting events of the day were the two MX2 motos, with David Philippaerts getting 2 back to back wins.
The first race started well for David, getting the lead in the first laps; after that he just pushed and pushed, opening up a gap over the closest rival Rattray. But Cairoli did not wait much to reach the KTM boys and snatch second place from Rattray. That was one of the best fights of the day, with the two riders using different lines before the breathtaking manoeuvre by Cairoli. After that Tony tried his best to get close to Philippaerts and almost made it, arriving at the chequered flag with a gap of less than 6 tenths. Third place was for Sebastien Pourcel, with his brother Christophe fourth and Rattray fifth.
The beginning of race 2 was a bit of a worry for Philippaerts, who was first until lap three, when he crashed and rejoined the race in seventh place. On top there was Goncalves, followed by Cairoli and Christophe Pourcel. Pourcel made a mistake and Rattray passed him: the KTM rider tried too hard to get Cairoli and crashed at lap 10. But there was another KTM ready to replace him, it was Philippaerts who passed Goncalves together with Cairoli, both at the same corner. After that move the Italians did a race on their own with Philippaerts leading; it seemed Cairoli could snatch the lead from countryman Philippaerts but at the end he did second; Philippaerts passed under the chequered flag in first place and Christophe Pourcel fixed his weekend with third place.
Philippaerts, MX2 overall winner
“I am very happy about this win: there were so many Italian fans! I knew my laptimes were good and I knew I could grasp a good result…I tried and I made it!” says Philippaerts.
On the other hand the MX1 heats were dominated by Everts. The Belgian Champion started the first race with a holeshot and kept the lead for the entire race, even if Strijbos tried his best to catch him. The Suzuki Belgian rider ended the race in second place while De Dycker, third, had a harder race because he was ninth at the end of the first lap and had to make up a lot of ground.
Steve Ramon was fourth and got the same result in race 2 where Everts grasped the second win of the day. Current World Champion kept Strijbos behind for the second time but there was a surprise at the start: Italian Federici was second while Melotte crashed into Barragan and ended his race at the second lap. Barragan actually had another crash later and lost the third place he snatched from Leok; the Estonian returned to third and kept the place until the chequered flag: Everts was first and Strijbos second, after having come quite close to Everts in the first part of the race.
Everts leading ahead of Strijbos
“Every race is a hard job: today Kevin did a great performance again and tried to put the heat on me, so I cannot say the win always comes easy. There are many races left and we are almost at half way: I will try to keep focused and in good shape”, says Stefan.
No news about the MX1 standings, where Everts is still on top; and neither in MX2, with Christophe Pourcel keeping the lead after getting third place overall. Christophe’s advantage over runner up De Reuver is now 28 points, because the Dutch did not end the second race because of a mechanical problem.
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