Strijbos ends Yamaha streak under Portuguese sun. - With his second career victory and that of the Suzuki RM-Z450 since its introduction into the MX1 World Championship in 2004, Kevin Strijbos pulled the reigns on series leader Josh Coppins’ winning streak at a hot and sun-splashed Agueda for the Grand Prix of Portugal yesterday.

The third round of fifteen for both MX1 and MX2 classes took place in front of 18,000 spectators and on a quick and jumpy but aesthetically pleasant circuit that offered ample opportunities for decent racing. The red soil soon became bumpy and more technical towards the end of the afternoon and the second demanding course inside a week for the Grand Prix stars took its toll with some tired faces at the close of proceedings.

The MX1 class witnessed a shoot-out between Coppins and Strijbos. The Yamaha rider, Alpinestars Tech 8 wearer and conqueror of the first two rounds of the ’07 campaign clinched the first moto after catching and passing his Suzuki rival with half the moto gone. The 30 year old was struggling with a sore groin after the Spanish Grand Prix and also clipped his foot during Saturday’s qualification that saw eight riders separated by less than one second and Tanel Leok grabbing his second consecutive pole position. Moto2 presented a Coppins and Strijbos tangle again after Leok had crashed out of an early lead and the pair also demoted the sprightly Sebastien Pourcel. On this occasion Strijbos retaliated to Coppin’s attempt to seize control and buried his machine into the ground over the next three laps to forge a small and successful margin over his pursuer. The duo tied on points but Strijbos earned the garland thanks to his second race ranking.

Alpinestars David Philippaerts toasted his maiden podium result in the MX1 class after only three events on the works KTM. The Italian finished third in Moto1 (ahead of Leok and taking third place from a speedy but error-prone Billy Mackenzie) and then fifth later on for his final classification. “We had some small problems with the bike in the first races but we have worked hard, with Stefan and KTM and things are getting better,” he commented. “The first moto was pretty easy for me but my starts are my main problem now.”

“After Spain I had a small injury with my groin,” said Coppins. “I could not ride how I wanted and because of this I had a crash and hurt my foot. No excuses though, Kevin was very strong in the second heat and deserved to win. We have started the season very well, better than I expected, with the new team, new bike and everything is going smoothly. I haven’t lost points to anyone in any of the motos so far and I know we need to keep on working like this. I know that I cannot win every GP but if I can minimise any point damage then this is also good.”

Antonio Cairoli defended Yamaha’s honour in the MX2 class with his second double-win of the season and this third Grand Prix victory in a row. The Italian Yamaha rider caught and relegated defending champion Christophe Pourcel to second place in the first moto and then watched as the Frenchman crashed out while far ahead in the second sprint. Alpinestars’ Tommy Searle notched a personal best result with second place overall for his third career podium and first in KTM colours. “I had two podiums last year and I knew that I would be capable of more signing for a team like KTM,” he commented. “The whole set-up is impressive.”

It was a forgettable Grand Prix for Marc de Reuver who twisted his left ankle while fighting for a mid-top ten position in the first moto and also Max Nagl who broke his collarbone for the fifth time in a nasty opening race crash.

Coppins may have seen his unbeaten run terminated but he left the Agueda circuit with his nineteen point advantage in the standings untouched. Strijbos stays second and heads Jonathan Barragan in the table. Antonio Cairoli’s MX2 margin has now stretched to an impressive forty-four points over Pourcel with Rattray slipping to third and forty-nine points adrift due to a mechanical problem and second moto DNF.

After back-to-back Grand Prix events the World Championship now pauses for a weekend break before another double salvo at Mantova in Italy and Teutschenthal, Germany. A trip to Japan and the Sugo circuit will close the month of May.