MOTOCROSS 1

The biggest MX event in Europe, the Kenny Festival met this weekend in Reygades (France) more than 1000 riders. Ninety five races were organized for the 750 MX riders while 250 quads did the AMV Quadrézienne, a four hours ride in one of the nicest country located between Brive and Aurillac.

The Kenny Festival, former known as the Oxbow MX is a unique event, organized since eleven years now in Reygades, a small village near Brives in the South West part of France. The concept make it's success, as each rider found there a nice track and a great atmosphere to end the MX season in a perfect way.

It's the probably the single Motocross in Europe where amateurs can race with pro riders such as MX World Champions Yves Demaria and Frederic Bolley, GP riders Pascal Leuret, Anthony Boissière, Pierre Alexandre Renet, Dakar heros Cyril Despres or Thierry Bethys. None of them missed the "Saturday night fever" in the tent built in the paddock, where more than fifty exhibitors including KTM, Honda, Husqvarna, Polaris or Kymco show to the public their last products.

Despite heavy showers on Saturday, who forced the organizers to change the schedule, the Kenny Festival was another huge success. Jean Luc and Thierry Fouchet, who organized this event since the first one, have now new goals for the future. "This event has always been a French one, even if Johnny O'Mara for example came here to race one day. In accordance with Kenny, our main partner, we want now to meet foreign riders and medias here."

"We have here a really good and strong co-operation with the political authorities and the inhabitants of the area, who know that the Kenny Festival attract many people and our common goal is to make this event bigger. That's one of the reason why we changed the track this year, extend the program to a third day - Friday - and give more space and time to the quads. But we will always work to keep a nice atmosphere, that's essential as we want everyone to enjoy the event," explained the brothers who are involved in Motorsports since always. Jean Luc who created the French Supercross series nineteen years ago is the most famous Supercross track designer in Europe, while his brother Thierry worked previously with famous companies such as Yamaha France or Oxbow.

The pro riders always enjoyed this event, and MX3 World Champion Yves Demaria was there at the first edition eleven years ago. "The event has grown up so much since the first time! Now you have also the quads involved and the event is bigger. When you walk in the exhibition area or the paddock you met many fans and industry members, and every one is always really happy. It's nice to be there, and also nice to ride on a safe and pleasant track," explained Demaria who is looking for a ride next season. He continues: "KTM informed me only last week that they will not renewed my contract, and now most of the teams have fixed their line-up. I want to defend my title next year and I had several meetings here in Reygades, it was nice to see that some people always trust me. I want to race the MX3 series again, but if I don't find any deal then may be I will go somewhere else."

Double winner of the Dakar (2004-2005) Cyril Despres made his come back this weekend and enjoyed racing the AMV Quadrézienne as well as some Motocross heats. The Dakar star came for the second time in Reygades. "I was there in 2000 as a privateer and I'm happy to be back. I broke my arm a few weeks ago and it's the first time I rode a motorcycle since this injury; I had great time on Saturday when I did some laps with a 250, the track was amazing! I don't have so many opportunities to race in France, and you always have nice time here at the Kenny Festival."

"I did the quad tour with my friend Olivier Dufour, who is my favorite doctor, and that was funny too" explained the KTM rider who is one of the favorite for the 2007 Dakar. "Last year I had tendonitis after a few days, and then I dislocated my shoulder when I crashed. It was the first time that I had to race with an injury, and I learned a lot! I have changed my training program, and I work more closely with physical trainers, doctors and physiotherapist to be in perfect shape. Before the Dakar I plane to race an extreme enduro in France, then we have a testing session in Maroc, the Dubai rallye and the Shark Xtreme, a French race where I will have Fabien Planet as team-mate. I think it's a good program to be fit for the Dakar," ended Cyril.

Twenty years ago, Jacky Vimond became 250 World Champion and it was the first time in the history that a French rider claimed a title. Twenty years later France counts eight World Champion and thirteen titles, and for sure Vimond was an example for all the kids. The fans celebrate him on the stage, when he came with his original pink JT Racing clothes.

"When I claimed the title twenty years ago it was a personal satisfaction, as I worked hard to get it. It's only later that I realized that I show the way to the other French riders, as well as Daniel Pean - first French rider to win a GP in 77 - or Jean Jacques Bruno - first French rider to win a 500 GP in 79 - did to me," explained Vimond who is till involved with GP riders. "I'm till there mainly because I have a strong passion for Motocross, and I like to give some of my experience to young riders. Nothing is nicest than working with riders, and then follow and support their progresses. Next year I will continue to work with Joshua Coppins, as he asked me to do it, and I will work closely with Antoine Meo."

"They both have a strong motivation and are totally dedicate to their sport; it's a pleasure to work with them. Josh impressed me, he is so determined and reminds me Sébastien Tortelli," continued Jacky who raced the Kenny Festival on a Yamaha. "I don't practice or race since a while, but this week I did three training sessions to prepare the weekend. I like to come here; it's a good opportunity to meet friends and to race on a safe and nice track, in a good atmosphere. I don't know any other race where amateurs can race with professionals, that's important to keep this spirit to the event. Another positive thing is that you can come and race without practicing, as Jean Luc Fouchet always built wonderful tracks. It's not dangerous as the design of the jumps is perfect, I had a lot of fun on the bike even when the track was wet," ended Jacky.

Frenchman Christophe Martin (KTM) won the Pro race, followed by Pascal Leuret (Honda) and Pierre Alexandre Renet (Honda), all aboard MX1 bikes. Leuret won the second heat, but lost too much time in the first one, when he stalled the engine on the grid. Martin, who raced several MX3 GP's this season won this opening race and will now race the SX tour as well as Renet and most of the French riders.

For more information about the Kenny Festival, visit www.kennyfestival.com

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