The final day of the ’03 Qatar MX Cup was blessed with plenty of exciting racing, with Joel Smets, Marc De Reuver and Javier Garcia Vico serving as the primary protagonists. In the end, it was the four-time World Champion Smets who earned the overall victory.
The first moto saw Smets grab a huge holeshot and ride a strong race to win with apparent ease over 250cc rider De Reuver, with Vico following in third. The second moto featured some real battling. Smets once again grabbed the early lead, followed by Vico, but about three laps in, the Belgian lost his front wheel in the sand, giving up the lead to the Spaniard. Smets remounted in sixth and began working his way forward, being careful not to make any serious mistakes and risk losing his points lead. De Reuver was extremely impressive, overtaking the big four-stroke of Vico and taking his first win of the event, while Smets made it as high as second by the checkered flag. Vico finished third.
The final holeshot of the day went to Vico, but Smets eventually passed him for the lead. Not long after, however, Smets began to hear a noise from his motor, and when De Reuver caught him, Smets didn’t put up much of a fight. The young two-stroke rider pulled away to a very impressive victory, while Smets cruised at a moderate pace, trying to conserve his motor and take the overall win. Only Vico was able to pass him, and the defending champ finished third, easily good enough to retain his crown.
In the team category, KTM Boonen – comprised of Johan Boonen and Peter Iven – took the victory with 179 points.
