WWhen you think of Belgian enduro top riders, you quickly come to Antoine Magain, Dietger Damiaens and Erik Willems. The first is doing the entire EnduroGP World Championship, Damiaens is mainly focusing on the Belgian Championship this season and Willems is doing a mixed international program. After a dramatic 2024 disrupted by injuries, the TM Racing rider is working hard on his way back!
This weekend, a first important test is on the program for the likeable Walloon-Brabant rider: the opening round of the 24MX French Enduro Championship in Hénon (Brittany). We spoke to the ex-European champion between the reconnaissances.
About a year ago you were badly injured: broken left hand and left kneecap, third thoracic vertebra (D3) collapsed… Several operations later you were finally able to get back on the bike. It was a tough rehabilitation to say the least?
Erik Willems: “That’s right, the rehabilitation was a matter of trial and error. That’s why I got back on the bike later than planned this winter. I had to be physically ready and the recovery really took a long time. So getting back on the bike wasn’t that easy. I started riding again in January. Slowly but surely, without lap times. For a month I really focused on riding technique. Where do I place my feet on the footrests, stand for maximum control, etc. So I first went back to basics in terms of technique before I focused on speed again.”
So the next step is to build up speed again?
Willems: “Exactly, but everything is going well. I feel good on the bike. I have the same base as last year, the TM 300 two-stroke with injection. That helped me a lot. That bike is exceptionally good. I didn't have to search too much. In terms of feeling and settings, it's fine. My program for this year consists of the full French championship, the Belgian championship and several EnduroGP rounds. But the French championship is my priority.”
That shows ambition: anyone who goes international must take into account substantial budgets.
Willems: “That's true. But I look at it this way: I can do the Belgian championship for another 20 years, but the French championship and the World Championship have priority now. Maybe there will be a calendar change in the French championship or the Belgian Championship, which will make it more convenient to ride in Belgium, but we'll see. In the EnduroGP I'm going to do 5 of the 8 rounds, starting with Romania in June. Then I know for sure that I'll be completely ready. In the EnduroGP I'm riding with the support of the TM Boano Factory Team. The support is great, but with the level in EnduroGP there's no point in going there at 85% or even 90% of my ability. You really have to be at 110%, if you can't do that, then it's pointless.”
Few riders get rich in EnduroGP.
Willems: “That goes for me too! On the one hand, a more limited EnduroGP program is a sporting choice, on the other hand, it is also a bit of a budget issue. Riding GPs is not cheap, count on at least 5.000 euros per race. That is more or less what it costs me. That includes the support of Boano Racing. Then you have the travel expenses for myself and the followers and so on.”
When you say Erik Willems, you think of an attacking pilot. How hard is it to have to build up quietly?
Willems: “I’ve been back on the bike for about three months now, and building up that pure speed simply takes time. In the meantime, I’ve spent a lot of hours on the bike, and done a lot of technical training. I’m slowly getting back into it. Especially without putting pressure on myself to set top times right away. First focus on technique, and then on speed. That’s my new motto!”
But last month you already recorded some good times on unfamiliar terrain, the Val-de-Lorraine Classic?
Willems: “Yes, but it was mainly a discovery. Those typical long sliding tests on grass, really not easy! But it certainly did me good. In the beginning I wanted too much, and mistakes are immediately punished, but after that it went much better. Especially towards the end of the day I felt much more at ease. So I am really looking forward to this weekend in France.”
How was your first experience in the Val-de-Lorraine Classic, a typical classic French enduro?
Willems: “It was cool, a really good experience. I finished 7th in the Elite and 9th overall. It was nice to get to know the discipline of a classic enduro. That's very different from the traditional enduros. We had twelve different tests to study, and that's really much harder to remember than just three. Mentally it was hard to memorize all the details of twelve tests perfectly and you could tell. There were a few tests that I just didn't remember at all. And you could see that right away from the chronos. But it was a great training, a great enduro. Definitely recommended for enthusiasts! We also had good weather, so it was really great. I enjoyed it a lot and I'll definitely come back next year, but better prepared. And I'll come earlier then to be able to explore the tests properly. Because now I was actually last minute came in for Dietger Damiaens who had injured his shoulder blade. In short, the run-up was rather… chaotic.”
Last weekend you also rode the opening round of the Belgian Enduro Championship in Vouziers (France). How was that?
Willems: “That race in Vouziers did me good. In terms of results, with P3 in the scratch but also to let the “human machine” run for once! Without noticing it — my muscles and all — I felt on Monday morning that I had worked hard. I had muscle pain because my muscles are not used to that stress and effort anymore. But it did give me confidence for this weekend.”
What do you expect from the first round of the French championship, where the level is obviously higher than in Belgium?
Willems: “The feeling for this weekend is already good, really good actually. While walking, I can feel that my legs are not completely “recovered” yet. But by the weekend that will be fine. I have already recon the first stage, but all the stages here look really beautiful. I am really looking forward to starting the weekend together with my teammates Zach Pichon and Léo Le Quéré from TM France Euroboost. It will be really cool!”
Good luck.
Willems: “Thank you!”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Rendel Baetens
