AMAZING ANGREAU - By The Mighty Mal
Well, less than two weeks after returning from Faenza, we found ourselves at Belfast International Airport catching a flight to Paris for the Coupe de l’Avenir at Angreau in Belgium.
All three riders plus two mechanics, Kenny G, Andy and Neil and myself met up, with the abuse starting early mainly due to Kenny M’s antique bag, and Graeme’s pink flowery bag, he’s in touch with his feminine side he claims.
After a quiet flight discussing Mini’s with Jason & Kenny M, including a lesson in basic mechanics, we arrived at Charles de Gaulle and picked up our hire minibus and set off up the A2. Andy had brought along the famous Sadie the Sat Nav, and 100 kms later, she woke up to tell us to drive straight on, of course, as soon as the wheels were in motion, the cry came from the back, ‘Andy, are we there yet?’, don’t know where they knew about that one, but it’s amazing what you find out about people on a two hour journey.
For instance, I was unaware of what our top MX’er’s will do for 20 euro, or less in some cases, particularly round Carrick, but I’ll leave you to ask the lads what that’s about.
We stopped at the track for a look round, collect passes etc. and I was amazed at how much the event has grown in the four years since I was there last, with banners, spectator fencing, VIP area etc, it looked like a GP from the days before outside promoters took over, and as usual, the Club could not do enough for us.
Anyway, back to the Hotel for a bite to eat, the lads went to bed at 2130, we went out for a look round Mons. We ended up in a bar with two other customers in a smoky room about 20 feet square, in the dark, with Depeche Mode to lighten the mood playing on the PA. After a while, Kenny G and I decided that the change to Slipknot, plus more smoke than Belsen, was too much and retired to the Hotel Bar. The rest reappeared about 130 am, and after telling the bar staff to do something anatomically impossible because he wouldn’t sell more beer, we set off to a local bar still selling alcohol, catch was, we had to order pizza to get drink, so at 200am, we were eating pizza and ringing waynesworld, Kenny M’s idea Wayne, not mine.
Saturday dawned cloudy but dry, at the track the lads weren’t due out until 1320 for two free and one timed practice, so we all wandered about and watched the Club racing, which had been going on since 730 that morning, and would continue until 730 that night!
Highlight of the morning was the unveiling of Kenny M’s tool box, which contained AF and Whitworth spanners, and innumerable nuts and bolts, the KTM UK lads were highly impressed.
An almighty downpour just before Free practice 1 left the track slick and sticky, but had dried up by free practice 2, where Graeme became the star of the show by jumping in through the trees higher, faster and further than anyone else, the Belgian crowd loved it, but unfortunately the gearbox went on the KTM UK machine.
Amazingly, Adam and Wayne, the two KTM mechanics had the bike washed, and the engine changed within 20 minutes, the same amount of time it took Andy to wash one bike, (he claims it was two bikes, and a rumour spread that the Hungarian and Luxembourg team thanked him for washing their bikes too).
Timed qualification went OK, with Graeme 5th, Jason 23rd and Michael 25th, all three were surprised at the pace of the Continental riders, who had GP regulars and EMX2 regulars in virtually all the teams.
Saturday night, out to an Italian restaurant, lads to bed early again, off round the town again, some of our number got separated and ended up in an Irish pub annoying Parisians, and returned about 530am.
Sunday morning dawned foggy, freezing cold and frosty, Kenny G appeared in shorts and T shirt, Graeme woke Roger and Andy with glasses of freezing cold water, and after fight to get Graeme out of the driver’s seat, off we set for the track, which was white and frosty, but at least we gained a round of applause from Team Finland for our entrance into the paddock, sideways, full revs, Graeme on the handbrake etc.
Race one was a bit of a cake walk for young Swede Filip Thuresson, but a tremendous battle raged behind between Terreblanche, Irwin and Fura from France, Jason had a terrific start but slid back through the order, and had an off as well, and Michael had a bit of a lonely ride, but kept his pace until the end.
Race 2 Jason again had a tremendous start, but all three lads had offs at various stages, including one that damaged the side casing and gear lever of Jason’s machine, requiring a quick raid on the KTM UK truck.
Terreblanche had a win here, but with three Belgians in the top seven, it seemed to be theirs to lose.
Race 3, disaster, Jason nearly Holeshot again, but behind him, Graeme was cruising, a pit stop was required to drain the carb, and off he set after the pack, at least a half a lap down.
Jason was riding the best he had all weekend, Michael was going well, but all eyes were on Graeme, even the Belgians were cheering him on as he fought through the pack up 15th, then, two laps from home, he attached a left hander so hard that his left handlebar dragged the ground and had him off, down to 17th at the flag and still charging.
Terreblanche meanwhile, had broken a chain halfway through, and let impressive Finn Harri Kulas through to the win, and put himself out of the overall individual scoring.
Sixth was no disgrace, all three lads rode well, and the pace has definitely lifted over the last few years, with a 450 rider being a requirement now too. The event is rapidly regaining its prestige, yet still keeping its old school charm, with 85’s, Quads, twin shocks, or old timers as the Belgians call them, and of course Sidecars, which had Kenny G in a very excited state, and to be fair, they put on a good show.
After packing up, Kenny G discovered that he had beer tokens left, and after sending me down to get the official results, drove the van to the beer tent and joined the queue, in the van, exchanged three tokens for 6 beers, and drove on through.
Sunday night was quietish, we all had a nice meal together, with one well known local team being re named several times over dinner, and ‘Foxy Red Bull’ as Grame became known, gone home to get his tonsils out the next day.
We had a look at Kenny M’s virtual farm on the computer, (don’t give up the day job mate), and generally insulted and abused each other all night.
A great weekend’s craic, great racing, great team spirit, and an event that I for one will not miss again. Many thanks must go out to Roger Magee and John Brown for the trucks, we had the best paddock presence, Ross Brown and Grame Vigors for moral support, and of course, Trevor Callaghan as Team Manager, we mucked in where we could, Kenny G and I making sandwiches, Andy washing bikes, and we all had a fantastic weekend. Motocross as it should be in my opinion.
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