AAmateur motocross rider, announcer at races both large and small for over 40 years, currently a TV commentator for Telenet Play Sports. To say Leon Van Gestel has been bitten by the MX bug is an understatement! This year, "Stingray" will once again be making an appearance as announcer at the MXGP of Flanders.
Anyone following the MX2 or MXGP races on Play Sports will recognize his voice as a commentator, alongside co-commentator Joël Roelants. During the MXGP of Flanders, Leon will provide live commentary, alongside his French-speaking colleague Yves Utens.
What's so special about providing live commentary during the GP in Lommel?
Leon Van Gestel: "Oh, where do I begin? It's close by, because I'm from Arendonk. Besides what I do on TV, the Grand Prix is actually the biggest event, a peak moment. Lommel is also an iconic circuit worldwide. A very tough race where you often get spectacular races with unexpected twists."
Aren't you, as a broadcaster, inclined to aim for more excitement on-site than on TV? The tension of the match is more palpable on-site: you see the fans' excitement, you hear the roar of the engines...
From Gestel: If there's nothing to see at a given point in the race, I'll say so. I'll simply say there's nothing to see! I'm not someone who immediately starts blasting out loud. If it's a bit slow, it's slow. On the other hand, I can also explode if it's a bit slow. But there are plenty of announcers who make the start a highlight. I do go into overdrive the moment the gate drops, but not two minutes beforehand. I'm not the one creating the atmosphere; I try to keep people informed of what's happening.
How is the collaboration with Yves Utens, who provides the French commentary, going?
From Gestel: Perfect. If someone stalls, the other takes over, and it's very natural. A big difference from the Motocross of Nations. That was actually an anticlimax. I was commentating there with Francis Magnanou, Giancarlo Riccio, and Roger Warren. Working with four announcers isn't easy!
What has been the most memorable Grand Prix of Lommel that you have commentated on?
From Gestel: “The moments when Jeffrey Herlings stunned everyone. Winning such a tough race – at the very highest level – with an unprecedented superiority. Hats off to that! Shaun Simpson's double moto victory in 2015 also stuck with me. Winning such a GP as a privateer remains very special. A touching moment that I will never forget was the tribute to GP Lommel organizer Eric Geboers in 2018. (intro photo) I was sitting next to Eric's children; that usually boisterous crowd was completely silent. When I think about it now, I still get… goosebumps. "
What is the difference between live commentary and TV commentary?
From Gestel: "Nothing, really, except for voice volume and pace. You adjust the information because you don't want to drown out anyone in the living room. To follow the entire circuit, I simply watch the TV monitor. We didn't have that luxury back then, of course. Occasionally you miss something, but the camera usually picks it up. Physically, the announcer's job remains demanding; you talk for hours at a time. But it used to be different, with rider calls and those kinds of administrative announcements. You don't have that burden anymore at a super-professional event like MXGP."
Did you have to make any adjustments in your new role as a TV commentator?
From Gestel: Not much. Although you do need to watch your language more. As a local announcer, I can be a bit foul-mouthed—just to get the crowd on board. I'll sometimes quip, like "that dirty Dutchman," if someone can't get past a Dutch driver. It's meant playfully, but obviously not on TV. Commentating is saying what I experience. That stays the same. If I see something that surprises me, I'll sound surprised. Or if I admire something. TV viewers will have heard it already when I enjoy a classy maneuver! I can also be indignant when I see sneaky maneuvers, like hitting someone's front wheel. That's not done. Did it miss the mark? Well done. Did it hit the mark? Coward! Well, I've driven myself, so I understand that some actions aren't meant as they seem.
What are you looking forward to for this edition of the GP in Lommel?
From Gestel: All Belgians on the podium! (laughs) Even if it's just to get in the papers. Of course, the battle for the world titles is heating up. Romain Febvre is feeling the heat from Lucas Coenen. Lucas has the momentum on his side and will be super-motivated to give it his all in front of his home crowd. The performances of Brent Van Doninck and Jago Geerts on a track that suits them well. And in MX2, the battle is far from over. Kay de Wolf, who has to fight his way back into the title fight. A first podium in front of his home crowd for Sacha Coenen would be fantastic! It's a shame Liam Everts won't be there. I strongly suspect that neither Lucas nor Sacha Coenen resonates with the general media as Liamski. He's the son of... And that apparently appeals more to the imagination than two young Brussels natives who are unfortunately still unknown to many. Despite their achievements.
What about the EMX races?
From Gestel: I've been following the youth classes closely all season. I enjoy it, so I'm also looking forward to Lommel! The EMX125 will be exciting with good Belgians like Jarne Bervoets, Douwe Van Mechgelen, and Ian Ampoorter. And hopefully, lots of local support. The EMX Open isn't as appealing to the general public, but it would be cool to see a Belgian win. Who knows, maybe we'll be surprised by a local rider? Ultimately, it all depends on how exciting the race itself is. If it's a train ride, the commentary will be calm. But if it explodes, I'll explode with it!
We'd love to experience that for ourselves. See you in Lommel!
From Gestel: “Absolutely, thanks for the chat.”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: FVDE, FB Leon Van Gestel, Red Bull Contentpool/Samo Vidic, Fullspectrum Media
AAmateur motocross rider, announcer at races both large and small for over 40 years, currently a TV commentator for Telenet Play Sports. To say Leon Van Gestel has been bitten by the MX bug is an understatement! This year, "Stingray" will once again be making an appearance as announcer at the MXGP of Flanders.
Anyone following the MX2 or MXGP races on Play Sports will recognize his voice as a commentator, alongside co-commentator Joël Roelants. During the MXGP of Flanders, Leon will provide live commentary, alongside his French-speaking colleague Yves Utens.
What's so special about providing live commentary during the GP in Lommel?
Leon Van Gestel: "Oh, where do I begin? It's close by, because I'm from Arendonk. Besides what I do on TV, the Grand Prix is actually the biggest event, a peak moment. Lommel is also an iconic circuit worldwide. A very tough race where you often get spectacular races with unexpected twists."
Aren't you, as a broadcaster, inclined to aim for more excitement on-site than on TV? The tension of the match is more palpable on-site: you see the fans' excitement, you hear the roar of the engines...
From Gestel: If there's nothing to see at a given point in the race, I'll say so. I'll simply say there's nothing to see! I'm not someone who immediately starts blasting out loud. If it's a bit slow, it's slow. On the other hand, I can also explode if it's a bit slow. But there are plenty of announcers who make the start a highlight. I do go into overdrive the moment the gate drops, but not two minutes beforehand. I'm not the one creating the atmosphere; I try to keep people informed of what's happening.
How is the collaboration with Yves Utens, who provides the French commentary, going?
From Gestel: Perfect. If someone stalls, the other takes over, and it's very natural. A big difference from the Motocross of Nations. That was actually an anticlimax. I was commentating there with Francis Magnanou, Giancarlo Riccio, and Roger Warren. Working with four announcers isn't easy!
What has been the most memorable Grand Prix of Lommel that you have commentated on?
From Gestel: “The moments when Jeffrey Herlings stunned everyone. Winning such a tough race – at the very highest level – with an unprecedented superiority. Hats off to that! Shaun Simpson's double moto victory in 2015 also stuck with me. Winning such a GP as a privateer remains very special. A touching moment that I will never forget was the tribute to GP Lommel organizer Eric Geboers in 2018. (intro photo) I was sitting next to Eric's children; that usually boisterous crowd was completely silent. When I think about it now, I still get… goosebumps. "
What is the difference between live commentary and TV commentary?
From Gestel: "Nothing, really, except for voice volume and pace. You adjust the information because you don't want to drown out anyone in the living room. To follow the entire circuit, I simply watch the TV monitor. We didn't have that luxury back then, of course. Occasionally you miss something, but the camera usually picks it up. Physically, the announcer's job remains demanding; you talk for hours at a time. But it used to be different, with rider calls and those kinds of administrative announcements. You don't have that burden anymore at a super-professional event like MXGP."
Did you have to make any adjustments in your new role as a TV commentator?
From Gestel: Not much. Although you do need to watch your language more. As a local announcer, I can be a bit foul-mouthed—just to get the crowd on board. I'll sometimes quip, like "that dirty Dutchman," if someone can't get past a Dutch driver. It's meant playfully, but obviously not on TV. Commentating is saying what I experience. That stays the same. If I see something that surprises me, I'll sound surprised. Or if I admire something. TV viewers will have heard it already when I enjoy a classy maneuver! I can also be indignant when I see sneaky maneuvers, like hitting someone's front wheel. That's not done. Did it miss the mark? Well done. Did it hit the mark? Coward! Well, I've driven myself, so I understand that some actions aren't meant as they seem.
What are you looking forward to for this edition of the GP in Lommel?
From Gestel: All Belgians on the podium! (laughs) Even if it's just to get in the papers. Of course, the battle for the world titles is heating up. Romain Febvre is feeling the heat from Lucas Coenen. Lucas has the momentum on his side and will be super-motivated to give it his all in front of his home crowd. The performances of Brent Van Doninck and Jago Geerts on a track that suits them well. And in MX2, the battle is far from over. Kay de Wolf, who has to fight his way back into the title fight. A first podium in front of his home crowd for Sacha Coenen would be fantastic! It's a shame Liam Everts won't be there. I strongly suspect that neither Lucas nor Sacha Coenen resonates with the general media as Liamski. He's the son of... And that apparently appeals more to the imagination than two young Brussels natives who are unfortunately still unknown to many. Despite their achievements.
What about the EMX races?
From Gestel: I've been following the youth classes closely all season. I enjoy it, so I'm also looking forward to Lommel! The EMX125 will be exciting with good Belgians like Jarne Bervoets, Douwe Van Mechgelen, and Ian Ampoorter. And hopefully, lots of local support. The EMX Open isn't as appealing to the general public, but it would be cool to see a Belgian win. Who knows, maybe we'll be surprised by a local rider? Ultimately, it all depends on how exciting the race itself is. If it's a train ride, the commentary will be calm. But if it explodes, I'll explode with it!
We'd love to experience that for ourselves. See you in Lommel!
From Gestel: “Absolutely, thanks for the chat.”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: FVDE, FB Leon Van Gestel, Red Bull Contentpool/Samo Vidic, Fullspectrum Media
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