JONATHAN BARRAGAN:
7 out of 10
This was the first year as a works pilot for the 21 year old Spaniard who grew up in the motocross school managed by "daddy" Harry Everts. He started with the aim of race testing the new KTM 450 SX-F, but due to the various problems of teammates Tortelli and Pichon, Jonathan found himself alone to carry the KTM flag.
He's undoubtedly a rider who well deserves to be amidst the high ranks of the chart: it's proven by the fact that he often engaged duels with the leading riders like in the GP of Portugal where he got an overall 2nd place. Unfortunately he's still inconsistent in his performances, so much so that sometimes his chances of excellent results were thwarted by his eagerness; a sign of his Latin blood. Despite this he managed to step onto the podium and give KTM some good results.
JOSHUA COPPINS:
8 out of 10
The season started uphill for the New Zealand rider of the Honda CAS Team, who even before the gate dropped for the first GP was already out because of an injury during training. Exactly like his nickname "Lizard" once he was back in the game after the injury he started over very well. He even managed to win an epic duel engaged with his "majesty" Everts in the Irish GP. For next season he'll be riding the Team Rinaldi Yamaha and he's undoubtedly a favorite to win the title.
SEBASTIEN TORTELLI:
6 out of 10
He was the only one who beat Everts in the past, inducing Everts to make mistakes during the last GP of that now distant 1998 season. He signed with KTM to beat Everts again.
During the first 2 GPs he showed that his speed and determination were still intact, so much so that he seemed to get into Everts' head. During the GP of Portugal he fell for the trap laid by Everts. Stefan overtook him in both motos on the same spot, Sebastien reacted with pride trying to get back by Everts, but sometimes pride doesn't pay off and Sebastien fell hard and nearly broke his hip. It makes us all wonder if it was really worth it to put so much at stake when they were only up to the 3rd GP, and still with 12 left. Sebastien wants to go back to the U.S. in 2007, which is a shame for the world championship that once again loses one of its most beloved riders.
MICKAEL PICHON
DISMISSED
Together with his countryman Tortelli, Mickael was supposed to be the anti-Everts, but instead he only competed in the first moto of the first GP and after rumors he wants to retire from competition.. yes, no, but, maybe... We heard plenty of stories, up to the announcement that Mickael got infected with a mysterious illness. He participated in some races but he was not contesting for in the world championship. At last GP held in Erne (France) he earned a pole position, proving he's still in the game, but straight after the start he fell badly which got him a broken nose, head trauma and various bruises.Is this the end of a big champion?