IEvery year we take a closer look at one or more young riders to see if they're made of the right stuff. Last year we did this with Nicolas Vennekens, who has since moved up to the MX2 World Championship. And anyone who saw Nicolas at work at the Keiheuvel among the big guns can see that he's on the right track. This year, we've already mentioned Vince Van Van Hoof. He, too, is alternating national work with international races. We look back with him on the summer of 2025…
In the hustle and bustle of the MXGP, the ADAC, the Keiheuvel, and everything else, we lost track of Vince. We promised to keep you updated. We keep our promises, so here's an extra-long edition about Vince Van Hoof's summer. The injury from the spring has fully healed. So, racing is at full speed.
We'll first update you on the races we didn't report on. The first was the Junior Cup 125 race in Möln in mid-May. It wasn't easy to qualify (27th) or score points. Vince finished 23rd twice, earning no points for a 28th-place finish in the final standings.
A month later, things went much better in Dreetz. A fairly smooth qualifying session in 21st place and a single point in the first moto. On Sunday, Vince delivered his best ADAC race of the season. He finished 8th, good for 13 points, which is something to be proud of in the ADAC.
Then it was off to Tensfeld in mid-July. Qualifying was again somewhat difficult. Keep in mind that almost the entire top of the EMX125 class was competing in this class. On Sunday, Vince had a less than stellar start in the second half of the pack. He then set some solid lap times and gained no fewer than nine places. He finished that heat in sixteenth place. The second moto started much better. Vince was right behind the leaders at the start. He was determined to keep up, but he crashed on the first lap. The damage was limited. This motivated him to ride a very good race. Anyone who can ride from thirtieth to sixteenth place in this group is doing well. He finished seventeenth overall.
Vince is currently in 23rd place in the standings, led by our compatriot Ian Ampoorter (also after the August 10th race in Gaildorf, ed.).
Then came the big challenge: the EMX125 race at the GP circuit in Lommel. His first race at the very highest level of his class.
Vince: "Despite my home advantage, I didn't feel great on Saturday. Still, I qualified relatively well in the A group, setting the sixteenth fastest time. At the start of the first race, I was way back at the back. I still kept my faith and managed to move up from 38th to 29th."
On Sunday, I gave it my all. After 15 minutes of the second run, I was completely exhausted and had to catch my breath. I dropped a few places. Then I pulled through and managed to gain six places. I finished 30th. It was a tough job, but I'm happy with my European Championship debut.
Exactly one week later, the European Championship rematch would be held at the Keiheuvel. Vince was starting with the U23s. All youngsters of his age and caliber. A true home game, too.
The day started with a good qualifying session. Vince set the fifth fastest time. The difference on the challenging course was just under 3,5 seconds. And there were quite a few top riders on the track.
The comfortable starting position couldn't be capitalized on. When the gates fell, Vince got boxed in. With a few positions gained, he finished 11th after one lap. This gave him courage. After a strong catch-up race, Vince sprinted past Jenairo Beerens on the final lap to take third place, behind winner Sem Van Helvoirt and Arthur Decouter.
Wary of being boxed in again, Vince opted for a different starting position in the second heat. A calculated gamble that paid off. At the start, he left everyone behind and, in doing so, set the fastest lap time. In that race, no one came close to Van Hoof. And a possible overall victory even beckoned. Until Van Helvoirt caught Wout Van Beysterveldt by the throat on the final lap. Sem's second place secured the day's victory. A missed opportunity for Vince, but still satisfied with the heat win and silver. And one of his best races.
Vince: "I felt good all day on the track. Everything was perfectly organized. It's my first moto win in the 125cc class. It was incredibly busy and very special to perform well with so many friends, neighbors, and acquaintances on the sidelines."
This clearly left me wanting more…….
Thank you to all the supporters, sponsors and RGS Racing Team for making this possible.
The photos were taken at the Keiheuvel and ADAC Dreetz.
