Marvin Vanluchene is the reigning Sidecar Motocross World Champion.
The ever-smiling West Flemish will try to become the best Belgian sidecarcrosser ever in 2025.
He now shares this record with sidecar passenger Sven Verbrugge, who, like Vanluchene, managed to win three World Titles. Vanluchene is not only a good crosser, but also a perseverer and mentally strong. This earned him three World Titles, but the other side of this picture is the ultimate dedication to the sport that Vanluchene even had to pay for with the amputation of part of his little finger. In 2025 he will take to the floor one more time, together with his returning partner Nicolas Musset in the sidecar. The last dance of a great champion who wants nothing more than to bring that World Title to the Belgian Oostrozebeke once again, 'I find it difficult to accept something without achieving the highest.'
MXmag visited Marvin just before the start of the Sidecarcross World Championship, which starts on May 11 in Kramolin, Czech Republic.
The ever-smiling West Flemish will try to become the best Belgian sidecarcrosser ever in 2025.
He now shares this record with sidecar passenger Sven Verbrugge, who, like Vanluchene, managed to win three World Titles. Vanluchene is not only a good crosser, but also a perseverer and mentally strong. This earned him three World Titles, but the other side of this picture is the ultimate dedication to the sport that Vanluchene even had to pay for with the amputation of part of his little finger. In 2025 he will take to the floor one more time, together with his returning partner Nicolas Musset in the sidecar. The last dance of a great champion who wants nothing more than to bring that World Title to the Belgian Oostrozebeke once again, 'I find it difficult to accept something without achieving the highest.'
MXmag visited Marvin just before the start of the Sidecarcross World Championship, which starts on May 11 in Kramolin, Czech Republic.
Marvin, this will be 'the last dance' for you. Life as a sidecarcrosser also demands a lot. Can you try to explain to a 'normal person' what you do / have to give up for it?
'Yes, sometimes it's all hard to explain to outsiders, people see the podium and the beautiful photo, but the other side of that photo is a big pit with to do's. In principle you are really busy with that every day.
Actually, there isn't even a winter break. DThe whole winter has been spent getting the sponsorship budget together and dorder all materials and have them ready for the season and get your physical readiness up to par.
And that all year round in combination with a full-time job and a family.'
Actually, there isn't even a winter break. DThe whole winter has been spent getting the sponsorship budget together and dorder all materials and have them ready for the season and get your physical readiness up to par.
And that all year round in combination with a full-time job and a family.'
Is that also the reason why you are quitting after this season or does something else weigh in on this?
'Certainly the family, everything is now focused on me and the sport. I want to change that a bit and enjoy my son now that he is getting older and can start playing sports himself. But there are more reasons. In my opinion, I have nothing more to prove in our sport, I have achieved everything I could and wanted to achieve, whether I would become world champion 3x or 10x, life will not change anything.
In addition, the motivation is somewhat gone because of always having to make those long journeys for competitions and training sessions.'
Vanluchene/Musset won among others the GP in Brou-FR in 2023
Speaking of long journeys to even training. This year you will be riding again with the Frenchman Nicolas Musset, with whom you won the World Championship in 2023. Many insiders were surprised that Musset, after not riding in 2024 due to a hernia, will be back in the sidecar. Can you explain how your collaboration came about?
I have always had a good relationship with Nicolas and we were often in touch. I just felt that Nico had such a drive to come back. We had already talked a bit, but nothing concrete. Until a sponsor changed that and everything was arranged in one day…
And the click between you and Nicolas. Was that there again right away or did or does this have to grow again?
The click was there immediately, like it had never gone away.
You haven't done many races together in the run-up to the 2025 Sidecarcross World Championships. I think that's a conscious choice if the click is there right away. Is that true or should we see this differently?
Yes, that's right. Nico and I have already chosen to focus only on the important thing and that is the World Cup. In addition, we can to take some time for the family.
Vanluchene was involved in a start crash in Heerde 2024 and injured his thumb so badly that he will have permanent problems with it
You had a serious infection after last season and part of your little finger had to be amputated. Does this affect your riding or does it have little to no effect?
'Yes that's right, one thing is for sure. You will never get better from an injury!
The fact that part of my little finger is missing doesn't really bother me, but the ring finger is also affected and therefore its handling is not perfect either. In addition, I have a thumb that has not been able to bend since Heerde 2024, because the ligament is gone. So basically I only have two good fingers on the left.
You can then draw your own conclusion as to whether this is simple... hahaha!'
The fact that part of my little finger is missing doesn't really bother me, but the ring finger is also affected and therefore its handling is not perfect either. In addition, I have a thumb that has not been able to bend since Heerde 2024, because the ligament is gone. So basically I only have two good fingers on the left.
You can then draw your own conclusion as to whether this is simple... hahaha!'
The World Cup is about to begin. Your goal seems clear to me.
Who or what will be your biggest challenge in this, looking ahead?
'In terms of other teams, I think these will be the same teams as last season in the top four, so Lielbardis, Prunier and Hermans.'
7. You have been involved in the global sidecarcross for many years now and are one of the best Belgian sidecarcrossers ever. What could be improved in sidecarcross according to your expertise. Both in general and at World Championship level for example?
'I find this one very difficult, I think the maximum has already been reached in our sport, there have been many attempts, but unfortunately it is and will remain a small sport for the general public.
If you look, not many circuits are added, only disappear. Even abroad, training is more and more difficult with a sidecar.'
Emotional moments in Castelnau 2023 where Vanluchene takes the World Title together with Nicolas Musset
It's not for nothing that you've been riding a sidecar for so long, with all the sacrifices that come with it!
So what are the most beautiful moments for you to experience? Is it euphoria after a win or for example the kick of beautiful and technical jumping... What gives you the biggest laugh?
When I got in 2018 with Ben the biggest step in my career, really to the top, everything was new. Winning the very first GP's, getting the Red plate, and even becoming World Champion right away!
So what are the most beautiful moments for you to experience? Is it euphoria after a win or for example the kick of beautiful and technical jumping... What gives you the biggest laugh?
When I got in 2018 with Ben the biggest step in my career, really to the top, everything was new. Winning the very first GP's, getting the Red plate, and even becoming World Champion right away!
Winning the title with Nicolas in 2023 was also special, we were in the lead of the World Cup from start to finish.
Last year with Glenn it was special how everything went. In January a phone call to him and in September Glenn was World Champion. Nobody had predicted that either, and certainly towards the end of the season with all the injuries we had.
These are all beautiful things that of course always stay with you! But as I said before, when you start cleaning up again on Monday, the victory is quickly forgotten.. Hahaha.
According to sports psyche, to be a champion you sometimes have to be a real jerk.
Off the track this is you, as far as i know, never and always spontaneous and cheerful.
But does Marvin secretly become a jerk with a helmet on? Or how does the cheerful Marvin turn the switch so that you can eat the competition?
Off the track this is you, as far as i know, never and always spontaneous and cheerful.
But does Marvin secretly become a jerk with a helmet on? Or how does the cheerful Marvin turn the switch so that you can eat the competition?
'Hahahahaha, I don't know if I'm a jerk, maybe I am to some of my colleagues...
But in itself I am indeed always cheerful, because I am also realistic how small our sport is in the end compared to other important things in life. But that you sometimes have to have a special character as a winner I do agree.
Especially my life situation with unfortunately the loss of my father at a young age has made me mentally very strong I think. And then it is difficult to quickly accept something without achieving the highest.'
Thanks for your candor Marvin!
Is there anything else you would like to add before you start the last one next week?
Is there anything else you would like to add before you start the last one next week?
'Thanks in advance for this conversation, I look forward to next week.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who supports us, big and small! Your encouragement, help and trust mean so much to us. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you!'
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who supports us, big and small! Your encouragement, help and trust mean so much to us. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you!'
Photo caption: Brian Vullers
Other photos and text: Emil Bilars
Vanluchene/Janssens both rode the GP in Rudersberg in 2024 'normally' with broken bones. This year Rudersberg-D will be Marvin Vanluchene's last GP
