The 2005 Grand Prix of The Netherlands will hold a special place in Yamaha motocross history after the Japanese manufacturer captured both the MX1 and MX2 world titles, one round early, courtesy of Stefan Everts and Antonio Cairoli.
Cairoli would claim his first ever world crown despite failing to reach the podium, while Everts - at the opposite end of his career - wrapped up a record ninth world title with a perfect double moto victory in the energy sapping Lierop sand.
"I think I have never raced on a track so demanding," confirmed MX2 winner Tyla Rattray during the press conference.
The South African teenager claimed his second GP win in a row with a runner-up position behind his team-mate Marc De Reuver in the first race and then dominated the following heat.
"In the first moto I think that it was not good to be leading most of the race as De Reuver was able to watch my lines and follow my rhythm. So in the second heat I had a good start and pulled away quickly," offered Tyla.
There was a race within a race between title contenders Cairoli and Andrew McFarlane and, despite a wrist injury sustained during Saturday’s qualifying race, the Italian teenager went on to clinch the title.
"In the first race I had a good start, but I had pain in my wrist and finish seventh, two positions before McFarlane. I got another good start in the second race but Caps crashed and I couldn’t avoid him. I was last and came back to eighth, that was enough to take the title as McFarlane struggled and retired," explained Antonio.
In the MX1 class Everts was simply 'The Man', showing amazing speed through the choppy sand. The Belgian rider had two great starts and led the entire opening moto, pulling his series advantage over Coppins to 50-points. He needed to obtain just one point more than his rival in the second race, but would achieve much more.
