Er in Belgium there are few people who follow youth motocross like Yves Devlaminck. Yves has been the national coach of the BMB since the beginning of this year. His task is to support the most promising youngsters. That is why Yves “Holeshot” Devlaminck also follows the most important international races such as the European Championship 85cc. In short: Yves is perfectly placed to analyse our upcoming talents. In the coming weeks we will present you the MXM end-of-year report of the Belgian talents. Today already: part 1, at the end of this week part 2 will follow. The Dutch talents will also be discussed later.
A gang of fast teenagers in the Belgian tricolor!
Robin Bakens: on the rise
The opinion of Holeshot: “Robin continued his momentum from last summer. He made progress not so much in terms of speed, but in terms of his technique (turning, drifting, jumping). Not everyone agreed with his choice to ride 85 cc for an extra year because he had grown so much. Still, I think he made a good choice. Just as it was a good choice to ride the French championship and the 'Picardie'.
Robin has to become even more agile on the bike and release his rear brake more quickly in hills with deep ruts. For his first year of 125cc, I advise him to visit as many French circuits as possible.”
Fighting jacket Dietger Damiaens
The opinion of Holeshot: “Dieter is a real fighter, he never lets go! In Germany he injured his knees several times, but he completed his series. In Italy he took points twice on a difficult track, including against a lot of local pilots who have much more experience on this type of track. At the end of the season he was chosen for the Coupe de l'Avenir because he always gives 200%. Unfortunately, Dieter often starts poorly, with better starts he would have regularly finished in the top fifteen in the European Championship.
Technically he has to work a lot more on the bike. Of course it's big, but it's too static. This was especially noticeable in the wave section of Valkenswaard, for example. The cornering can also be improved, he must try to brake in one go. Those jerks and jerks really have to go, it all has to be a bit more fluid. Next year he will switch to a 125, an important stage. Dieter can best improve his technical weaknesses by focusing more on training instead of giving priority to competitions.”
Dietger Damiaens at work during the Coupe de l'avenir
Ben David: motivated
The opinion of Holeshot: “Ben started a bit late (from the summer), but he has made a lot of progress on hard tracks. Without that nasty fall during the first European Championship race in Poland, there would certainly have been more this year. Nevertheless, it was great that he absolutely wanted to compete in qualifying. That says a lot about his motivation!
He has to become more serious and professional in his approach to the sport. I am thinking, among other things, of his physical training, warm-up and so on. In terms of riding technique, he still needs to improve in jumping and cornering. His speed when turning in must be higher and he must also lean into the bend much earlier. For next year I propose a last season 85cc (with big wheels). He must also focus on technical circuits.”
In part 2: Damon Graulus, Cedric Grobben, Yannick Heylen en Stijn Hofman
Photos credit: Olivier & CDS
