Aggressive Everts wins Austrian showdown.

The most successful motocrosser in history, Stefan Everts, proved exactly why he holds the accolade today at the Grand Prix of Austria when he completed another remarkable double victory by first winning the 125cc category, then defeating Mickael Pichon by just 0.3secs in a thrilling Motocross GP main event.

The Karntenring was the scene of Everts' 2001 500cc World Championship success and thrilling last corner win in 2002 when he passed Yves Demaria with barely 30 metres left of the GP. This time it was the factory Yamaha rider's turn to be put under pressure in the dying moments of the MXGP race as Pichon laid siege to his slim advantage in what had been a fascinating duel between the two World Champions.

Race-day commenced under bright blue skies and blazing sunshine interrupted very occasionally by passing whispy clouds for the fifth consecutive time in 2003.

All season fans, spectators and those within the sport had been waiting for the first real face-off between the two current giants of GP motocross and today they got their 'fill' as Everts and Pichon battled at various times in the race; each taking their turn to lead, each taking their turn to stalk and when paint started to be traded - and each proved to be as tough and hard in their passing moves as the other.

They were rarely split by more than a second and the 35-minute plus 2 lap race distance seemed to pass in a blur.

The telling moment came on lap 12 when Everts was nudged wide by the Frenchman on his 250cc two-stoke Suzuki but the Belgian replied immediately and knocked Pichon wide entering a left-handed hairpin. The 27 year old lost several seconds in the collision that looked to be a significantly aggressive move by Everts.

Pichon, to his credit, lowered his head and charged for the rest of the duration drawing back up the Yamaha with several laps left to run. The double 250cc World Champion then set the fastest lap of the race on the final circulation as he tried to squeeze past but lost-out in the chase to the line by about two bike lengths.

The 13,000 Austrian fans soaked up every minute of the action and Pichon and Everts embraced after the passing the chequered flag, showing their deep respect for one another.

Both riders have now won three races each and the Championship is starting to reflect the close tussle that occurred on the track this afternoon as the pair are separated by only eight points with Pichon still leading.

Further back, KTM's Joel Smets ended his streak of five consecutive podium results after a first lap crash dropped him to 18th. The Belgian fought back to 5th but has now lost second position in the standings to Everts by one point.

Instead it was Gordon Crockard who notched his second podium of the season with some impressive speed after coming back from a broken finger, but suffered a lonely race back in third. Brian Jorgensen was also lapping with only himself for company but have been content with his fourth top five finish of the year.

Smets beat Yoshitaka Atsuta on the last lap after the Japanese Honda ace produced his best ride of his World Championship career so far. Back in seventh was Marnicq Bervoets while Jamie Dobb made an encouraging start to his four-stroke campaign by guiding the 450 to eighth. Claudio Federici and Marc Ristori completed the top ten.

"It was a tough fight," remarked Everts. "Mickael Pichon really pushed hard in the first laps and as soon as I could get past him I changed my line. My pass was quite aggressive but as soon as I was in front I tried really hard to gain a few seconds and it was important to have done that because Mickael was again very strong towards the end. I gave everything I could today and it was a vital result for the Championship."

Everts produced a text book performance in the 125cc moto, remaining faultless from the second lap when he took the lead until the chequered flag despite a constant threat from KTM's Steve Ramon who remained less than two seconds behind (and often much closer but unable to make a passing move) and proved to be the Yamaha 250cc four-stroke rider's shadow adding an edge of tension to the 35 minute and two lap distance (indeed providing ample preparation for the World Champ in the later MX GP race).

Andrea Bartolini, also on a Yamaha four-stroke, completed the podium after only ten minutes into the event as the trio pulled clear of Marc De Reuver in fourth, Erik Eggens in fifth and World Champion Mickael Maschio in sixth, who crashed with several other riders in the first corner but fought his way up from last to a solitary position adrift of Eggen's rear wheel.

Bartolini looked at one stage as if he might be able to interfere in the intense feud between the two Belgians but a mistake a third of the way into the race dropped him off the pace and he could never quite get close enough again.

With two laps to go Everts made one last push and broke Ramon's hold going on to win his second 125cc trophy of the season and lifting him to sixth in the World Championship table despite only participating in three GPs so far this season.

Taking part in the opening race of the day really seems to be paying dividends for the Belgian in his MXGP pursuit; since the switch to his two moto strategy Everts has taken 5 wins and a fourth place from six attempts.

The standings are still very close with four riders separated by 11 points. Ramon now is the clear leader by three points from Bartolini, who collected his fourth podium of the season this afternoon, while De Reuver trails his team-mate by four. Maschio lies in fourth.

No change in the 650s as Joel Smets eased his way to a sixth consecutive race victory and had regular podium buddies Javier Garcia Vico and Cedric for company.

Vico had been an early leader on the factory KTM as Smets took his time to increase the pace from a first lap placing of fifth. The 34 year old Belgian took control on lap nine after a brief struggle and went on to win by 12 seconds ahead of his Spanish team-mate; KTM's first win of the day at their home GP and only three podium spots in total from a possible nine.

Roman Jelen was fourth and headed Fabrizio Dini. Smets naturally has a perfect points tally in the Championship and enjoys an advantage of 20 over Vico in second.

The seventh round of the World Championships occurs in two weeks time at Uddevalla in Sweden.