MX1 and MX2 classes to race their first Grand Prix in Faenza -ozzy go-

The FIM Motocross World Championship will make its comeback
to Italy this weekend, almost two and a half months after the first
season appearance in Mantova, in occasion of the tenth round of
the series.

Faenza and the Monte Coralli circuit are all set on hosting a
massive Italian crowd, that will come to watch series leader
Joshua Coppins fight with local hero David Philippaerts in what
should be a breathtaking MX1 Grand Prix. In the MX2 class all
eyes will be on Sicilian Antonio Cairoli, who is dominating this
2007 season.

MX1 - In Uddevalla, Joshua Coppins missed the podium for the
first time this season, but the hard working Kiwi wants to be back
to business in Faenza, which is actually two hours away from his
Team Yamaha Motocross’ base, Langhirano.

David Philippaerts of KTM Red Bull was one of the four riders to
have beaten Coppins once –in Teutschenthal- but the Italian MX1
debutant came close to victory also in Mantova, where he
unfortunately tangled up with other riders in both heats and
crashed.

This is Philippaerts’ chance of revenge, but the MX1 collective has
found a new threat in the big shape of Ken De Dycker.

The CAS Honda Belgian raced a fantastic Swedish Grand Prix, to
conquer both his maiden heat win and his maiden Grand Prix
victory. De Dycker seems to have finally found the consistency
he needed to top the podium regularly, and will be a serious
contender from now on.

Suzuki’s Steve Ramon is currently sitting on the runner up
position, right in front of Philippaerts, but the former 125cc World
Champion has not won a MX1 Grand Prix yet. Ramon made up
ground on Coppins in Sweden, but he is still 89 points away from
the lead.

Also KTM Red Bull’s Jonathan Barragan is coming back to his full
speed after an early season shoulder injury; after a storming
Bulgarian Grand Prix with one heat win and a podium, the
Spaniard was expected to do better than seventh in Uddevalla,
but he will have the chance to make up for it this weekend.

Kevin Strijbos of Suzuki will reach Faenza in better shape than he
was in Sweden; the 2006 runner up to Stefan Everts has been
suffering a lot with his knee, sitting out of the Bulgarian round
after he underwent surgery. click on ozzy go to the full story