The Motocross World Championship is back for the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic, the 12th event of the 16-round, after a three week break following the Swedish GP at the beginning of July. In the MX1 category, Frenchman Mickael Pichon won both Motos, taking his third consecutive GP victory. Seven time World champion and Team Yamaha L&M rider Stefan Everts finished second in both Motos. However, with four GPs to go Everts still leads the championship with 527 points ahead of Pichon, who has 436 points. Team Cas Honda’s Josh Coppins completed the podium with two third place.But the day’s win was not easy for the Tiscali/Honda rider—Pichon had poor starts and had to work hard during both motos. It’s no problem for Pichon to stay in good shape, because he didn’t stop racing in the last month, as he was racing in France two Supercross races and two motocross races and winning them all.Denmark’s Brian Jorgensen (Honda) took the early lead in Moto 1. Everts started slowly and rounded the first corner only in 13th position. By the end of the opening lap, Pichon resided in sixth place and Everts was down in eighth, but the sheer speed of the two world titleholders was about to make its mark. By mid race point Pichon had pushed into the lead, demoting his teammate Jorgensen. Coppins still held onto third. Everts pushed into fourth, and then second by lap thirteen, which he comfortably held onto until the finish. Coppins took third, Jorgensen was fourth and Tanel Leok completed the top five.Josh Coppins holeshot Moto 2, but Everts made no mistakes this time and followed him out of the gate with Pichon in tow. Pichon soon pushed past Everts and took off after Coppins. He passed past the Kiwi rider on lap seven and Everts went by just three laps later. At the end it was a copy of the Moto 1 top three—Pichon, Everts, Coppins. Kevin Strijbos took fourth place on the new generation Suzuki RM Z450.Pichon said, “I really like this track and I’m happy to win both races, it was not easy with so many really fast guys today and I missed my start. In the Moto 1, I had to come back from eight to four behind Jorgensen, Leok and Coppins who were going pretty fast. I finally found some good spots where I could pass them, and when I was leading I pushed really hard during a couple of laps. When Stefan came up in second, I continued to push—I wanted this win! My second start was a little better, and I was really lucky to come four only after a few corners. I saw Josh and Stefan in front and didn’t want to let them go, I had good speed and passed Stefan. Then Josh surprised me as he was going really fast, I had a hard time to stay with him and finally got some better lines and passed him. It’s my first double win this season, I just hope it’s not the last one”.Everts said, “I’m pretty happy with my result here. Mickael was riding very well this weekend and it just wasn’t possible to catch him. Although my girlfriend Kelly will have our first child anytime now, I was very focused on my racing today and I think I handled the day quite professionally. I’m hoping that Kelly will have the baby before the next GP in Namur next weekend”.MX1 World Championship Point Standing after Round 12 of 161. Stefan Everts Yamaha BEL 527
2. Mickael Pichon Honda FRA 436
3. Joshua Coppins Honda NZL 397
4. Steve Ramon KTM BEL 374
5. Kevin Strijbos Suzuki BEL 327
6. Cédric Melotte Yamaha BEL 291
7. Brian Jorgensen Honda DNK 278
8. Tanel Leok Suzuki EST 273
9. Ken De Dijcker Honda BEL 195
10. Joel Smets Suzuki BEL 175
MX2 ClassThanks to third and a first position, New Zealander Ben Townley scored his seventh GP win at the Czech Republic GP. The factory KTM rider is now consolidating his championship leadership with 378 points ahead of Tyla Rattray, in second with 378 points.Townley was joined on the podium by two Italian riders; former World Champion, Alessio “Chicco” Chiodi who garnered second overall with a fourth and second place finishes, and Italian hopeful Antonio Cairoli, who won Moto 1. Cairoli’s Moto 2 crash bumped him down to sixth.The Czech Republic GP also saw Dutchman Marc de Reuver returning after a back injury and the factory KTM rider finished with a second and ninth placing the day’s moto’s. South African Tyla Rattray had a bad day and saw his hopes for the points dim somewhat with an eleventh and fourth place results.Townley said, “The first race was tough; I started maybe twelfth and only moved to ten in one lap. I made it to third. I was happy when the rain came because it created some more lines. At the end I caught Marc, and thought I could pass him with one more lap but anyway I was happy with my race. We changed some settings on the bike for the second moto, I was happier with it. I felt comfortable and more controlled I was able to just ride as I normally do.”MX2 World Championship Point Standing after Round 12 of 161. Ben Townley KTM NZL 472
2. Tyla Rattray KTM RSA 378
3. Stephen Sword Kawasaki BGR 361
4. Andrew McFarlane Yamaha AUS 300
5. Antonio Cairoli Yamaha ITA 297
6. Alessio Chiodi Yamaha ITA 293
7. Mickael Maschio Kawasaki FRA 283
8. Patrick Caps Yamaha BEL 230
9. Carl Nunn Honda GBR 228
10. Claudio Federici Yamaha ITA 199
16. Jeff Dement Honda USA 150
2. Mickael Pichon Honda FRA 436
3. Joshua Coppins Honda NZL 397
4. Steve Ramon KTM BEL 374
5. Kevin Strijbos Suzuki BEL 327
6. Cédric Melotte Yamaha BEL 291
7. Brian Jorgensen Honda DNK 278
8. Tanel Leok Suzuki EST 273
9. Ken De Dijcker Honda BEL 195
10. Joel Smets Suzuki BEL 175
MX2 ClassThanks to third and a first position, New Zealander Ben Townley scored his seventh GP win at the Czech Republic GP. The factory KTM rider is now consolidating his championship leadership with 378 points ahead of Tyla Rattray, in second with 378 points.Townley was joined on the podium by two Italian riders; former World Champion, Alessio “Chicco” Chiodi who garnered second overall with a fourth and second place finishes, and Italian hopeful Antonio Cairoli, who won Moto 1. Cairoli’s Moto 2 crash bumped him down to sixth.The Czech Republic GP also saw Dutchman Marc de Reuver returning after a back injury and the factory KTM rider finished with a second and ninth placing the day’s moto’s. South African Tyla Rattray had a bad day and saw his hopes for the points dim somewhat with an eleventh and fourth place results.Townley said, “The first race was tough; I started maybe twelfth and only moved to ten in one lap. I made it to third. I was happy when the rain came because it created some more lines. At the end I caught Marc, and thought I could pass him with one more lap but anyway I was happy with my race. We changed some settings on the bike for the second moto, I was happier with it. I felt comfortable and more controlled I was able to just ride as I normally do.”MX2 World Championship Point Standing after Round 12 of 161. Ben Townley KTM NZL 472
2. Tyla Rattray KTM RSA 378
3. Stephen Sword Kawasaki BGR 361
4. Andrew McFarlane Yamaha AUS 300
5. Antonio Cairoli Yamaha ITA 297
6. Alessio Chiodi Yamaha ITA 293
7. Mickael Maschio Kawasaki FRA 283
8. Patrick Caps Yamaha BEL 230
9. Carl Nunn Honda GBR 228
10. Claudio Federici Yamaha ITA 199
16. Jeff Dement Honda USA 150
