Following the trip to Japan two months ago, this weekend’s Grand Prix of South Africa will mark the second 'flyway' event for the 2005 FIM Motocross World Championship.
Home of the final round of the 2004 season, and elected 'Best Organiser of the Year' during last season’s prize giving ceremony, the Sun City circuit has again put a lot of effort into ensure the best conditions possible for this weekend’s race.
Held earlier this season - July instead of September - the Grand Prix of South Africa will have more interest than last year, since then Ben Townley and Stefan Everts arrived in Sun City with the world titles (in the MX2 and MX1 classes respectively) already in their pockets.
But the 2005 situation is very different, as there are still seven rounds to go (and 350 points) until the Grand Prix of Ireland marks the seventeenth and final round of the longest MX season in the history of the sport.
Factory Yamaha star Everts arrives at Sun City having led the 2005 championship for all but round three, the Grand Prix of Portugal, and is now 45-points ahead of Josh Coppins.
However, the Belgian legend hasn’t won a moto during the last three events - in Italy, France and Sweden - and saw his points advantage decrease by 18-points in that time as a result.
With so many rounds remaining, the eight-times world champion cannot afford to keep losing points at that rate and needs to react soon if he is to halt the double pronged Kiwi attack currently being launch by Coppins and Townley – who have won the last three GPs.
"It’s always a great feeling to be with Josh on the podium," said Townley. "We’re from a small country on the other side of the world and to be together among the best riders is amazing. Josh helped me a lot when I arrived in Europe to race GPs, and we’ve been good friends for a while. I was happy to see him winning in Sweden, but my goal is to win heats every weekend and to challenge Stefan for the title."
