Ballykelly Grand Prix of Ireland

The weather could have been better at the wind swept Ivy Hill MotoX circuit in Ballykelly today which saw two new World Champions take their crowns. 32-year-old Belgian Stefan Everts and 20-year-old New Zealander Ben Townley both took world championship titles in the MX1 and MX2 classes respectively.

Everts battled the day out against Frenchman Michael Pichon but by the closing stages of the championship decider he was shaking his fist in delight as he clinched himself the World Championship title – under no pressure Everts commented pre race day that if things didn’t work out in Ballykelly he always had the chance to make amends in a fortnights time to gain the World crown in South Africa. The Belgian didn’t have to wait that long and cruised home to victory in front of a 15,000 strong crowd, which included the odd familiar face such as celebrity weatherman Michael Fish. This added another victory to the countless GP wins achieved by the popular rider. Pichon and Everts were in a league of their own finishing a remarkable 60 seconds in front of third championship place rider Josh Coppins.

The eagerly awaited performance of local favourite Gordon Crockard was marred by two spills in one of his races - he crashed out on lap one and again was forced to retire after clashing with a fallen rider on lap ten. However Castlederg Rider Adam Lyons gained himself much deserved championship points in front of a supportive home crowd.

In the MX2 Class Townley won both of his races comfortably to take his first taste of World Championship fame. Admittedly the forced retirement of race leader Marc de Reuver in race one left the New Zealand rider ahead of the rest of the pack by some 14 seconds. In the second race Townley took no prisoners and cruised by the finish line 23 seconds ahead of fellow racers.

Thanks to MAG member Nigel Walker whose father Jim was a big player in the organisation of the “FIM Grand Prix of Ireland,” the Motorcycle Action Group were on site handing out some MAG flyers, whilst Northern Ireland MAG Treasurer Paul Bullick was kindly given the opportunity to be a Flag Marshall for the day, taking in the action right on the side of the track.

Everts concluded, “I’m delighted to win the title here as my father did almost 25 years ago. The circuit was not perfect due to the weather but we are professional riders. The organisers had to cope with extreme weather conditions and this made life difficult for them.” Stefan’s father Harry took the same title in Slane in 1979.

According to the organisers it was an all round successful week, the first Irish GP since 1995, and bar the odd “lost and found child” everything went according to plan.

Coverage of the event can be seen on Eurosport regularly in coming weeks.

Issued 11 Sept 04