SKevin Strijbos (24) could hardly have fared worse than last year. Not only did he have to deal with successive injuries, during the rehabilitation of his broken lower leg he went from bad to worse. Three operations later, the BO Team-KTM rider can finally look ahead again. The Kid is already starting 2010 positively, with a talk at MXM!
You have recently become a sportsman again, may I say that?
Kevin Strijbos: You can put it that way, yes! On New Year's Eve I had to have a check-up again to see whether the healing process after the last operation (note: including the insertion of donor bone) was going as desired. Fortunately that was the case and I was given the green light to start training again. First of all it is cycling. Of course I'm super happy that I can finally start!
Last year during the Starcross in Mantova.
The past weeks and months must have been tough?
Kevin Strijbos: Yes of course, especially because that uncertainty came with it. Rehabilitation is always intense, but if, after three weeks of flat rest and only returning to cycling, you get the message that you have to go back under the knife... well, then you swallow hard! What am I doing, you ask yourself?
What does a top athlete spend his days doing if he is put on inactive status?
Kevin Strijbos: A bit of walking, a lot of sitting at home (laughing), doing nothing and playing Playstation! But that also gets really boring in the long run. I was hitting the walls from doing all that nothing!
How is the team doing in the meantime? Because Georges Jobé's structure is of course new and they probably had a hectic winter?
Kevin Strijbos: If you cannot drive, there is little point in making that trip to the workshop. But I do have regular telephone contact with Georges Jobé. There is of course a lot to consider when starting a new team. From what I hear, they are right on schedule. The KTM factory engines are ready, the WP factory suspensions are there. All engines are in order, now for the pilot!
When are you going to drive again?
Kevin Strijbos: I want to start driving at the end of this month. I want to be behind the fence in Mantova at the beginning of February, together with the other GP pilots. I can't expect anything from that at all, but riding and gaining rhythm is the best way to come back. I need those kinds of goals for myself too. I know that I will not be at the top in the first competitions and the first GPs. Other than that, I just let it all happen to me. A completely different situation than when you think you are ready, only to find that you are fifteenth… I know the road is long, I am very realistic about that.
The GP comeback of 'The Kid' in Lommel.
Your switch to BO Team-KTM was quite a surprise. How did you end up with them?
Kevin Strijbos: My intention was to stay with Honda-Martin, but that turned out to be impossible. From then on it was quite difficult to ride Honda. There weren't many options anyway. Now it was completely difficult because I could not present any results and also because of the crisis. I was quickly attracted by the design and professionalism of Georges Jobé. Everyone knows the qualities of the KTM factory machines. Anyone who has seen Nagl or Barragan in action knows enough. Or as a Nagl came from the start! Those KTMs are just very good.
Is there any chance you will ride the new KTM 350cc?
Kevin Strijbos: No, we didn't talk about that. I'm just going to ride the 450cc, factory equipment that is identical to that of the Red Bull-KTM pilots.
Thanks for the chat and we hope you have a fantastic season!
Kevin Strijbos: No problem you're welcome.
Photos credit: CDS & Pixelpony (Intro image)
[Nggallery id = 23]
