Everts Takes Victory At Super-Successful Weston Beach Race
Ten-times world champion, Stefan Everts, stormed to a decisive victory in the super-tough, Doodson Motorsport solo race during today's 26th running of the Weston Beach Race, which was held in front of a record crowd.
It was one of the firm favourites, and last year's race winner, David Knight, who got the hole-shot to the three-hour race and thundered to the first corner in front of the thousand-strong field, but the Manxman was unable to hold off a flying Everts as the Belgian overhauled him during the early stages of the race.
While Everts was chasing down Knight, the madness that has become almost a tradition at Weston was unfolding behind, as the remaining 998 riders turned left off the main straight and started to tackle the incredibly tough dune course for the first time.
Star-riders Josh Coppins, Jamie Lewis and Shaun Simpson were all up in the mix, dodging their way around the riders and bikes strewn across the super-dunes around the 3.5-mile track as they forced their way around the first lap.
Everts pulled a significant lead over Knight during the first hour, but then the Manxman managed to up his pace as he attempted to chase down the multiple world champion, despite having to weave his way between riders who were having their own battle with the Weston track's infamous dunes. Cheered on by a massive crowd, who were enjoying the perfect sunny weather conditions, star-racers Paul Edmondson, Marc de Reuver, Tom Church and Shaun Simpson also battled on to hunt down the leading trio.
At the end of the first hour, the unavoidable fuel stop switched the order around again, and as fatigue set in, many riders began to struggle in this incredibly tough endurance event that test the limits of both man and machine. Everts continued to dominate, while Knighter was intent on catching the sand expert around the course that this year was designed and constructed by Justin Barclay.
In the latter stages of the race it was second-placed Knighter who came across a mechanical problem with his machine, and much to his disappointment, was ruled out of the race. PAR Homes Honda pilot, Jamie Lewis, was caught and passed by the MX2 British Champion, Shaun Simpson, for second place, while Josh Coppins slipped down the standings, presumably with a technical issue.
After three hours of battling both his rivals and the ultra-tough Weston course, Everts brought his KTM home to take the chequered flag and notch up his second win at the UK's biggest off-road event.
"I really enjoy coming to Weston," declared Everts, before heading for the podium presentation. "It's an awesome race and I had a good time today. I did a beach race last week in France, but riding on the Weston track for three hours was still hard; I lack a little strength in the arms now since I stopped riding competitively. It was also tough getting through the all riders at the chicanes, but that's part of the attraction of this race and I'm happy to take the win here."
With himself having two wins and David Knight three victories at Weston, the 2009 race promises to be a scorcher as the two former world champions go head-to-head to decide just who is top dog on the Weston track!
Following Everts over the line to take second place was current British MX2 Champion, Shaun Simpson, who was making his debut in the Weston Beach Race today. Rounding out the podium was Jamie Lewis, who put in an outstanding ride to claim third place.
Ashley Greedy claimed fourth aboard his RHL/Hockey Racing Suzuki, with Kawasaki's Tom Church finishing fifth after fighting his way through the field from 11th position in the closing stages.
Paul Edmundson got the better of Mark De Reuver to take sixth place, and reigning World MX2 Champion, Tyla Rattray, followed the Belgian home to take eighth place at the chequered flag.
World Superbike rider, Chris Walker, was the first road racer home in 17th place, after completing 15 laps of the Weston course.
The 2009 Weston Beach Race will take place over the weekend of 23-25 October.
The 2008 solo race results can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking here.
Posted: 12/10/2008
