Shayne King gave New Zealand its first World Championship in 1996, but he reckons it was harder to defend than win.
Belgian Joel Smets was devastated to lose his crown and was out to regain it.
Smets is a hard rider and there is no better sight and sound than watching him race his factory 4 stroke Husaberg.
Yamaha shocked the world by unveiling their own new factory 4 stroke in February and in the hands of Bartolini and Johansson it proved a winner.
King, Kurt Nicoll and Daryll King all won GPs, but Smets looked the most complete rider of the year and took his second world title.