This weekend will see the famous Belgium circuit of Zolder host the opening round of the 2004 FIM Motocross World Championships, in what will be the first of sixteen rounds for the newly formed MX1 and MX2 competition classes.
This season will not only see the class changes, but the popular return of a two-moto format, made possible by new championship manager’s Youthstrea, headed by former Action Group president - the firm who ran world championship motoross before Dorna - Giuseppe Luongo.
“Being away from the sport for three seasons gave me another perspective and since the FIM asked us to return we have worked a lot with my staff,” said Giuseppe on the eve of the new season. “Our goal is to bring back the World Championships to its true level, and we can see right now the first results with 16 rounds on the calendar, an overseas GP - two or three more will joining us in 2005 - and the grouping of the best riders in the MX1 class.”
Considered as the main class, MX1 boasts a promising line-up with the best three riders set to do battle on a different brand of motorcycle. With seven titles and seventy-two GP wins, Belgian Stefan Everts (pictured) is the most successful competitor since the creation of the championships in 1957 and one of the main favourites for his fourth season on a factory Yamaha.
Winner of two pre-season events (Mantova in Italy and Hawkstone Park in England), Everts will not however be in his best shape this weekend after a bad crash last week in Belgium during a national race. After a rider fell in front of him and the 2003 number one had nowhere to go and hit the ground. With severe bruising to the 9th rib, he was unable to prepare for this opening GP in the best conditions.
“Twice a day I had a laser treatment and I tried to do some cycling on Wednesday and some running on Thursday. I will try to race this weekend, probably with some painkillers in order to limit the damage for the championship,” said the 31-year-old.
