MAXXIS Europees Kampioenschap SuperMotard 2002
6 oktober: Varano - Van Den Bosch Victorious At Varano
Thierry Van Den Bosch (KTM) is the 2002 Maxxis European Supermotard Champion.
He clinched the title with a round to spare after claiming a pair of race
victories at the Autodromo Riccardo Paletti in Varano, Italy. The weekend’s
races, presented by Polini, were run under perfect conditions in front
of an enthusiastic crowd who were rewarded with spectacular, close racing
on the fast Italian circuit.
All three factory KTM riders set great times during the qualifying sessions,
but Massimo Manzo (HVA) was revelling in the local support. After his
historic win in Alpe D’Huez (the first for an Italian rider), “Mad
Max” was aiming for the ultimate accolade, a win for an Italian
rider on an Italian bike in Italy. He made a great start, attacking the
circuit with aggression and winning Polini Superpole in the process. The
joyous Italian fans roared with delight and prepared themselves for the
main event.
Race 1 and whilst Manzo was still thinking about it, VDB rocketed off
the line and into a lead which he never relinquished until the chequered
flag. Manzo was second into the first corner but the home fans groaned
as a few corners later, he tangled with Kinigardner (KTM) and promptly
retired from the race on the spot. Mad Max had promised so much, but would
have to wait until race 2 to deliver. Künzel (KTM) stalked his team
mate from second place and at one point was within striking distance,
just a couple of bike lengths behind. His chance for victory disappeared
when he ran very wide at the end of the fast pit straight and he spent
the rest of the race defending second position from a determined Seel
(HVA) who whittled away Künzel’s lead to eventually finish
just one tenth of a second behind at the line. Rubio (HVA) was a fine
fourth ahead of the resurging Poulain (KTM) who finished an outstanding
fifth. The Italian fans were rewarded however, by Lazzarini’s superb
seventh place on his underpowered Yamaha, a brilliant result considering
the fast nature of the circuit.
Race 2 was red-flagged after one lap, due to a first corner incident
involving Farioli (KTM). At the restart, VDB produced another explosive
move to once again, claim first place at the first corner. Manzo, despite
having claimed Polini Superpole was fourth at the end of the first lap,
but rode at ten tenths chasing the trio of KTM’s in front of him.
He gained one place when Künzel retired with a mechanical failure
and then hoisted himself to second place after slipstreaming Kinigardner
and passing him at the end of the pit straight directly in front of his
adoring fans. Try as he might, he couldn’t catch the new European
Champion and he eventually settled for second. Behind the titanic battle
at the front, Rubio claimed another solid fourth, Zupin rider Trinkner
(HVA) was fifth and Poulain proved race one was no fluke with another
great finish in sixth.
The weekend was really all about one man and with the crowd rapturously
applauding beneath him at the podium, VDB was presented with the both
the race winner’s and European Champion’s Trophies. It was
a fitting end to a brilliant weekend for the newly crowned Champion.
The next round of the action-packed Maxxis European Supermotard Championship
is at Serres, Greece on the 26th and 27th of October. This year’s
Championship is won, but there is plenty more spectacular action to come!
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