Preview - Grand Prix of Belgium.

Namur, the 'Monaco of Motocross', will host the 2005 Grand Prix of Belgium this weekend - where the 2005 GP stars will chase victory through the famous forest circuit, alongside the old Citadelle, that has been a regular on the world championship since 1957.

This is the event all Motocross riders want to on their CV, and most enjoy the unique features of the circuit - the longest on the GP schedule and designed in a park between hundred-year-old trees - but the fast narrow twists and huge uphills normally require experience to master... although MX2 star Antonio Cairoli reversed that trend one year ago by winning on his Namur debut.

Several times a Namur winner in the 80s, former world champion Eric Geboers has staunchly defended the circuit against the efforts of ecologists and residents, and this year claims the honour of organising the first ever double header of World Motocross and World Supermoto action.

"I would love to have time to bring riders, mechanics and engineers inside the Citadelle itself, but unfortunately we never seem to have time to do this," said Eric of the huge castle ruins that overlook the race track.

Most of the Motocross riders had a weekend off between Portugal and Belgium, although some raced International or National events to stay in shape. MX1 series leader Stefan Everts won another Belgian Championship round, while Mickael Pichon earned a trophy in Gaillac and Josh Coppins dominated the British Championship. Along with Joel Smets, the trio will be the favourites for this weekend's event.

"I discovered Namur on my bicycle when my father was racing the GPs, it has always been like a playground for me," said reigning world champion Everts. "I raced there for the first time only in 1998 as I was involved in the 250 class while Namur had the 500cc GPs, and since I have competed there I have always won.

"I took five GPs - 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003 in two classes and 2004 - and with my individual win at the Nations in 2001 I'm not so far from Roger de Coster who won seven GPs at Namur," confided the Belgian star.

As mentioned, Cairoli surprised everyone last year when he became the first Italian and the first 'rookie' to win Namur and the now MX2 world championship leader will defend his red plate against numerous rivals including Cedric Melotte; Tyla Rattray, Alessio Chiodi, Andrew McFarlane and Billy Mackenzie this weekend.

Meanwhile, former Motocross riders Gerald Delepine and Eddy Seel have now moved to Supermoto, and for the first time in a while they will share the scene with their former rivals. Both leading their respective classes after the opening round in Italy, Gerald (S1) and Eddy (S2) will have a good opportunity to show to the world how exciting Supermoto actually is.

"Supermoto is a young sport and it's always pretty difficult to attract the fans when the sport has no history and not so many stars," said Youthstream president Giuseppe Luongo. "That's one of the reasons why we decided this winter to have a double event, even if we know that it's not so easy to organize.

"We have a limited space to build the track, but we really wanted to make it and thanks to Eric Geboers we succeeded. Of course if it's a success everyone will be happy, but in case of problems it will be my fault," explained a slightly bitter sounding Luongo, who has already received requests from other organisers for double events in 2006.

"For the spectators it will be great as we didn't increase the prize ticket," added Geboers. "We even didn't change anything on the Motocross track compared to last year, and we just used the entire esplanade to build the Supermoto track."

However, weather forecast predicts light rain and showers for the weekend - making an already tough track even more treacherous. Practices start on Friday at 11.45 for Supermoto, with qualifying sessions from 3.45 to 5.20 p.m.

Saturday sees Motocross practice at 9.45 with qualifying sessions from 3.10 to 6.00, and the first Supermoto races are scheduled at 1.00 p.m (S2) and 6.25 p.m (S1).

On Sunday the MX2 races are scheduled at 12.02 and 3.02, the MX1 at 1.02 and 4.02 and the Supermoto at 2.30 (S2) and 5.25 (S1).