IIn the section #Watdoejijnou MXMag.nl looks at what former motocross riders are doing today. Their family life and their current work. How do they look back on their careers, the highs and lows. This month we have a conversation with Alwin van Asten. He had to compete against big names such as John van den Berk, Gert Jan van Doorn, Dave Strijbos and Henk van Mierlo.
MXMag: Briefly introduce yourself:
AGM: My name is Alwin van Asten, I was born more than 54 years ago in Valkenswaard, Brabant. Of course, we all know that thanks to the Eurocircuit, but only time will tell how long that will be the case. However, I live in Fuerteventura, one of the islands of the Canary Islands. I have two children, the now 22-year-old Alessio Giorgio and the 9-year-old Liberty.
MXMag: What do you do for a daily living these days?
AvA: As mentioned, I live in Fuerteventura and I rent electric mountain bikes there. With us www.ebikeventura.com everyone can go there to get to know the island in a different way. A holiday complex will open shortly, where we rent four (4) luxury apartments. In addition, together with a partner, I still have catering real estate for rent.
MXMag: How do you look back on your motocross career?
AvA: “That was a very wonderful time, we experienced some really wonderful things with my family, the sponsors and the supporters. I can say that I always had a close group of supporters behind me who followed us everywhere. My father, a mechanic, together with childhood friend Cor Zeer, we traveled through Europe. I had a nice, sporty childhood.”
MXMag: The highlight of your career?
AvA: Then I have to choose between third place during the Belgian Grand Prix in 1990. On the tough sand circuit of Lommel I came third behind Pekka Vehkonen and Peter Dirkx. That was great, but the same goes for winning the 1992 Christmas Cross on the Eurocircuit!”
MXMag: The low point of your career?
AvA: Then I will be new to 'Circuit De Herikerberg' where I had a heavy crash a year after my Grand Prix success during the Netherlands-Belgium race. I broke my hip in that crash and all in all it took a year of rehabilitation.”
MXMag: Best bike ever ridden?
AvA: “I rode Kawasaki for many years. The KX250 from 1990 was a great motorcycle and that also applies to the KX250 from 1993. That was then in the colors of SATCOM-De Molen Banden-Kawasaki together with Remy van Rees.”
MXMag: What is your view on the current motocross world?
AvA: “Of course a lot has changed, but that is the case everywhere. This is not only in motocross but also in football, car racing and skating. Nowadays sponsors have more demands, but there is also more money involved. The engines are much better, the suspension and guidance have been significantly improved. The speed is so terribly high these days. The pressure on the drivers is also much higher, partly due to the costs, but also the internet where everything can be followed. I still think the sport is beautiful and I must say that I still follow it. Visiting competitions is not an option, but I see the results and images on TV every week.”
MXMag: Thank you very much for your cooperation!
AGM: “You're very welcome, nice that you thought of me. Good luck with the website and greetings from sunny Fuerteventura.¨
Door: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photos: Own picture
