NAfter proving last time that there is still talent in Belgium, we will continue our search. Brent Van Doninck, Damon Graulus, Jens Getteman, Julien Lieber and Kevin Fors have already been discussed. In this article, we will take a closer look at five other talents, namely Kenny Vandueren, Ludovic Brevers, Axel Van de Sande, Mathias Plessers en Robin Bakens.
These names may not be the first names that come to mind when you want to list Belgian motocross talent. But they are certainly guys who should not be underestimated. For example, Kenny Vandueren has taken points in the MX2 world championship. He managed to rack up 9 points during the GPs of Portugal, Russia and Great Britain. This may not seem like much. But the best motocross riders in the world were at the start in both Portugal and Great Britain. If you manage to finish in the top 20 then you are simply good. The potential of the ex KEMEA Reytec Yamaha rider is questionable. Due to his age, he is forced to switch to MX1, where he will compete for Scott KTM. So he is no longer a young boy who can develop quietly. Kenny will have to go full throttle next year if he wants to participate in the world championship for a few more years.
Ludovic Brevers is a completely different story. This year the young Waal started with a 125cc 2-stroke during the GP of Bastogne. He then achieved a good 5e place in the overall standings. Not bad for someone who rode a 250cc 4-stroke for most of the season. Since Ludovic only just turned 16 in November, he still has plenty of time. That's something he knows himself. Next year Ludovic will take a small step back, if you can call it that, and will complete an entire season on a 125cc 2-stroke. So we already see at least one Belgian competing at the front during a European championship. He will also make it difficult for the Dutch during the ONKs.
Now we're going to talk about someone whose name isn't mentioned much. Someone who is in the shadow of his generation, but at the same time can be labeled as a talent. Axel Van de Sande is a 19-year-old Flemish who rode the European Championship MX2 in 2012. He achieved 7 points, of which 6 in the sand of Lierop. Do I think he will ever be able to ride GPs? To be honest, no, but is that necessary? No. It would also be nice if we could see Axel riding along at the INTERS. A bit like Maarten Govaert, Jurgen Van Nooten and Andy Truyts. All fast pilots who add color to the Belgian Championship and the Belgian Nationals.
Mathias Plessers seems to be the same story, 19 years old in January and a few points in the MX2 European Championship. Belgian motocross fans will certainly enjoy both Axel and Mathias. But international motocross fans won't see these names appear anytime soon, I'm afraid.
Finally, we take a closer look at Robin Bakens. The 85 Belgian 2008cc champion rode a TM 250cc 4-stroke last season. It was Robin's first season on a 250cc. In the European Championship MX2 he only achieved 4 points. That during the GP of Latvia. However, in the Belgian MX2 championship, Robin performed strongly and regularly. He finished in a nice shared 7the place. Not bad, after all, the BK MX2 is no picnic with guys like Kevin Fors, Jens Getteman, Nikolaj Larsen... at the start. At 18 years old, time is slowly running out for Robin. Hopefully he can perform as well at international level in 2013 as he did at national level.
This was it. Five more pilots have been described in detail and we have become a little wiser. If one of these pilots is on the podium next year, you will know who they are and what they have already achieved. There is a third part coming, so keep an eye on mxmag.be.
text: Frederik
