Date: 03 September '06

lThe penultimate round of the FIM MX world championships saw 33.000 spectators turn out in trying weather conditions at the infamous sand circuit of Lierop today. Molson Kawasaki’s, Gareth Swanepoel, had to deal with a demanding circuit and mechanical gremlins and did the best he could under the treacherous conditions.

With a light drizzle falling at the start of the first MX2 moto, Swanepoel executed a good jump at the gate but was pushed out in the first turn and left straggling around 20th spot with plenty of work to do. Swanepoel slowly clawed his way up the standings in the demoralizing conditions. Around the halfway mark the South African’s bike started to lose power, nonetheless ‘Swanie’ managed to save the machine and finish 13th.

A better start and aggressive first lap saw the number 21 Molson Kawasaki complete the first lap in 12th place. Swanepoel was making great progress with his smooth riding style and was picking off positions every lap. By the halfway mark, he had fought his way to sixth and was closing down Carl Nunn when his bike gave up all life. A disappointed Swanepoel was forced to retire.

“Not a good day for us” sighed Swanepoel. “I’m still recovering from the flu so I had to dig really deep in the sand today. The track was the roughest I have ever seen it although I seemed to have a good pace going in the second moto until the engine gave in. It’s a big blow for me in the championship but I know everyone gives their best in team so we’ll just have to fight back in Ernee.”

The final round of the British championship will take place in Hawkstone Park next weekend. Swanepoel has yet to win an overall in the British series so the South African will cross the channel with one goal in mind.

Race results:

MX2 Race 1
1 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
2 Rattray, Tyla RSA KTM
3 Pourcel, Christophe FRA Kawasaki
4 Searle, Tommy GBR Kawasaki
5 Leok, Aigar EST Yamaha
6 Goncalves, Rui POR KTM
7 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
8 Philippaerts, David ITA KTM
9 Nunn, Carl GBR KTM
10 Roelants, Joel BEL KTM
11 Seistola, Matti FIN Honda
12 Schiffer, Marcus GER KTM
13 Swanepoel, Gareth RSA Kawasaki
14 van Vijfeijken, Rob NED Yamaha
15 Verbruggen, Dennis BEL Yamaha

MX2 Race 2
1 Pourcel, Christophe FRA Kawasaki
2 Rattray, Tyla RSA KTM
3 Cairoli, Antonio ITA Yamaha
4 Goncalves, Rui POR KTM
5 Nunn, Carl GBR KTM
6 Leok, Aigar EST Yamaha
7 Searle, Tommy GBR Kawasaki
8 Schiffer, Marcus GER KTM
9 Seistola, Matti FIN Honda
10 Verbruggen, Dennis BEL Yamaha
11 Nagl, Maximilian GER KTM
12 Renet, Pierre A. FRA Honda
13 van Vijfeijken, Rob NED Yamaha
14 Boissiere, Anthony FRA Yamaha
15 Carlsson, Johan SWE Yamaha
DNF Swanepoel,Gareth RSA Kawasaki

MX2 World championship standings:
1 Pourcel, C. FRA 541
2 Cairoli, A. ITA 513
3 Rattray, Tyla RSA 446
4 Philippaerts, D. ITA 440
5 de Reuver, M. NED 373
6 Nunn, Carl GBR 343
7 Goncalves, Rui POR 300
8 Searle, Tommy GBR 296
9 Pourcel, S. FRA 291
10 Swanepoel, G. RSA 286
11 Mackenzie, B. GBR 281
12 Gundersen, K. NOR 215
13 Chiodi, A. ITA 211
14 Monni, Manuel ITA 183
15 Guarneri, D. ITA 153