Brother Act: The Pourcel Brothers Dominate the Grand Prix of Italy - For all intents and purposes, The FIM World Motocross Championship Series was born in 1947 in the form of the Motocross des Nations ( ran, for the first time, in Holland). Taking that into account, some six decades latter (not mention countless Grands Prix run in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classifications — now deemed the MX1 and MX2 classes), French-born riders Sebastien and Christophe Pourcel made history at the Faenza circuit in Italy on Sunday, July 15, 2007, becoming the first brother act in FIM Grand Prix history to win Grands Prix on the same day. In the omnipotent MX 1 division (450F-based), Sebastien declaratively took the measure of the globe’s best big bike pilots, going 1-1 overall. Meanwhile, in the hotly contested MX 2 classification (for 250F machines), brother Cristophe used a powerful 2-1 one-two combination punch to win the Italian Grand Prix.

“For sure, it's hard to win every race,” said Sebastien in the post-race press conference. “I had a good start in both motos and it was easy for me. I passed two guys on the first lap in both motos. In the first, I passed Mike (Brown), and the second I passed David Philippaerts. It was the same race for me. I pushed really hard and I had control of Josh, but it was difficult. It was difficult to do it, but today we won both GPs. I am so happy for the family, for my brother and for my father because he does everything for us.”

Second overall in Italy went to Josh Coppins, no doubt the lead man thus far in this year’s MX1 World Championship title hunt. Coppins used consistent 2-2 moto scores to further strengthen his grip on the division.

“Of course I came to win,” said Coppins, who now leads Steve Ramon in the world title points, 445 to 338. “ I always do my best and we work hard. I always try to win and if I can't, then I get on the podium. I don't think Sebastien will be the new rival. I think he is a good rider, but there are so many guys at the moment. It’s always different guys. I made up 16 points on Ramon today and that is what is important. I never say I am going to be champion. I still want to win some GPs and I am working towards this. I just focus on one race at a time.”

The opening MX2 moto was a classic man on man battle between 2005 MX2 World Champion Antonio Cairoli and reigning MX2 World Champion Christophe Pourcel. Pourcel led the moto in the early stages before conceding the spot to the Italian Cairoli. With Pourcel chewing on the blue fender of his factory Yamaha, Cairoli took the win and the two entered the paddock to prepare fro moto two. Pourcel got a great jump off the gate in the second moto and cleared out to a 10-second lead over KTM’s Tyla Rattray. Cairoli would find his way past the South African, but by then, Pourcel was gone, winning the moto by 23 seconds.

“I am really happy,” he said after the conclusive second mode. “I was surprised with the victory of my brother. He was really fast right away and he won again in the second moto. I want to say congratulations to him. I got two holeshots today, and the first race was hard for me as he [Cairoli] was really fast. In the second moto I was able to get away first. I expected to race and win, we do that every time we go out. I think he was a little tired at the end of the race because he pushed hard in the first race. He is first in the championship now, so a second in he second moto was okay for him. The team is really happy with the work we have done. I just couldn't win today.”