Supermoto of Nations: Alpe d’Huez, France
Vive la France
In the high mountains where two weeks previously the bicyclists
of the Tour de France passed by, the french promoter Alain
Blanchard invited riders to the first SUPERMOTO of nations.
The place Alpe d’Huez couldn’t have been choosen
better. The slogan for the city Alpe d’Huez is l’ile
au soleil - the island of the sun. d’Huez covered all
the costs and so the entry was free which attracted even non
motorsport oriented people to the event.
In the first race Ivan Lazzarini grabbed a perfect start.
Jürgen Künzel was running in fifth and when going
into the offroad transition fell to return in 20th position.
With a overtaking he came off on loose material and fell.
Lazzarini had pulled out already a huge break.
The second race had to be restarted after a race accident
and the resulting abort. Lazzarini, at this time again lead,
and won, just from Eddy Seel. Boris Chambon had a poor start
but could caught one after another and reached"only"
the third.
The last race of the day brought the riders of the 450's
and 650 class together on the racetrack. Polesetter Eddy Seel
had a the best of the start in front of Götz and Blot
into the first curve. Boris Chambon and Jürgen Künzel
chased the leaders. Chambon managed to by-pass the Swiss Götz
with a lovely move but Götz struck back in the last lap
running up into third and so Boris again finished in "only"
third place. Künzel got past on the finish for sixth
position, Kurt Nicoll achieved tenth.
France won the inaugrual SUPERMOTO the nations of Europe
with the best teamwork and some home advantage. Three points
back was Italy and four points back to Germany. Switzerland
followed in fourth position.
