Stefan Everts

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**Stefan Everts**

Born:	November 25, 1972 Bree, Belgium
Occupation:	Motocross Racer
Website:	http://www.s72.com

Stefan Everts (born November 25, 1972 in Bree) is a motocross racer from Belgium, who retired in 2006 after securing his record 10th World Title. He also holds several other motocross records.

Stefan is the son of four-time Motocross World Champion, Harry Everts, and first jumped onto a bike at the age of four. At the age of 17, he made his debut in the 125cc World Championship, and two years later he secured his first title in that division. During the following years, the Belgian moved up through the different divisions and collected an as yet unsurpassed number of titles (10) and GP victories (101).

Everts was known for his very smooth style on the bike, which made everything look effortless. In particular, he maintained a standing position on the bike much more frequently than other riders, even in very tight corners. A cornering control that was rather unique and often considered to be unmatched. He also used to run his engine in a higher gear, and torque his way around the track, as opposed to revving it out hard in each gear. Even on the 125cc and 250cc two stroke machines of the beginning of his career. While he never placed much focus on American-style supercross tracks or riding styles, he nevertheless proved to be competitive with top US riders even at their own game. In the later stages of his career, Everts' vast experience helped him to reach an impressive consistency, making erratic movements or mistakes very rare, as illustrated by the fourteen-to-one win-loss record in his final season.

After his active career at the end of 2006, Everts became special consultant for the KTM team, responsible for coaching their riders on the technical, mental and physical level. Most of the time he lives in Monaco (a move for which he was criticized very much like fellow Belgian sports personalities Justine Henin-Hardenne and Tom Boonen), together with his wife Kelly and his son Liam.

[edit] Records and awards

10 times World Champion
101 GP victories in total
14 out of 15 GP's won in the 2006 season
second man, after Eric Geboers, to become "Mr. 875cc" (winning world titles in 125/250/500cc)
in the 2003 season, he won 3 GP's (125cc, MXGP and 650cc) on the same day in Ernee, France.
only pilot to become World Champion on all four Japanese manufacturers (Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda and Yamaha).
5 times Belgian Sportsman of the year (2001,2002,2003,2004 and 2006, only surpassed by Eddy Merckx), plus a Lifetime Achievement award.

[edit] Career

1990: Belgian Champion, 125cc (Suzuki)
1991: World Champion, 125cc - winner 5 GP's; Belgian Champion, 125cc; Youngest world champion at that time (Suzuki)
1993: Belgian Champion, 250cc (Suzuki)
1995: World Champion, 250cc - winner 5 GP's (Kawasaki)
1996: World Champion, 250cc - winner 5 GP's (Honda)
1997: World Champion, 250cc - winner 9 GP's; Winner "Motocross of Nations" (Honda)
1998: Belgian Champion, 250cc; Winner "Motocross of Nations" (Honda)
2001: World Champion, 500cc - winner 7 GP's; First rider winning world championships on all four Japanese bikes (Yamaha)
2002: World Champion, 500cc - winner 4 GP's (Yamaha)
2003: World Champion, Motocross GP - winner 8 GP's; Winner "Motocross of Nations"(Yamaha) Is the overall winner (Yamaha)
2004: World Champion, Motocross GP - winner 7 GP's; Winner "Motocross of Nations" (Yamaha)
2005: World Champion, MX1 - winner 8 GP's; Belgian Champion (Yamaha)
2006: World Champion, MX1- winner 12 GP's (Yamaha)