Special bike livery marks end of Everts GP era
By TMX Archives on 17th Sep 06
Yamaha will mark the end of a great era today with a special livery on the YZ450FM of Stefan Everts, as the Belgian celebrates the final Grands Prix of his illustrious career.
The 33-year-old lined up on the gate for his first Grands Prix at Faenza (Italy) in 1989 and has since won a total of 100 Grands Prix and 10 world titles. Yamaha is marking the end-of-career occasion with a special livery. The design features all his 100 Grands Prix victories symbolising a chequered flag to mark the finish of Stefan's Grands Prix career. Tyre sponsor Pirelli has fitted Stefan's YZ450FM with special one-off white colour painted tyres, which have the same performance and durability as the regular black ones. Stefan on his turn has cooperated with clothing sponsor Acerbis who have produced a one-piece ‘golden' riding suit to mark the occasion as well.
This weekend's French Grands Prix is a fitting venue for Everts' final GP, Ernée being the venue of the Belgian's finest day of racing when he won all three Grands Prix classes (125, MotocrossGP and 650) on one day in 2003. In addition to that remarkable achievement, Everts has broken every conceivable record in the sport. His 100 race wins and 10 titles far exceed anything achieved by any other rider. Stefan joined Yamaha for the 2001 season and has won a championship in each of those six seasons, accumulating 57 Grands prix wins on YZ four stroke machinery.
The final races at world level for the Yamaha/Everts racing partnership will be next weekend's Motocross of Nations, where Everts will represent Belgium for the very last time.