Kenny Janssens looks ahead to FAM final
He is in the lead at the Inters Open, but Kenny Janssens (24) himself will not be there on Sunday. The KTM-Racing Center rider from Keerbergen injured his back at the beginning of September. As a result, he has to stay off the motorcycle for three months. But fortunately that doesn't stop him from looking ahead to the FAM final in Sint-Lenaarts with us.
The difference between number 6, David Vantornout and number 2, Steve Seronval is barely 19 points. Who do you see as the biggest contender for the title?
Kenny Janssens: “The differences are indeed minimal. Peter Iven is tied with Seronval, but Christof Godrie and Jelle Grade also have a chance. Iven showed in May that he can ride fast in Sint-Lenaarts, but I still see Seronval as the favorite. A lot will also depend on the weather. When it rains it gets real there brown soap. In such greasy conditions, Seronval really excels.”
Is Sint-Lenaarts a worthy conclusion to the FAM championship?
Kenny Janssens: "Certainly. If it is dry the day before, Sint-Lenaarts is a spectacular circuit, with a hard surface and lots of jumping too. As a rider, I would perhaps prefer to see the final in the sand because that is more common in the VLM!”
After Tielt you not only came to the top in the FAM, you were also extremely motivated for the final, right?
Kenny Janssens: “That's right, I was second in the VLM, but the title was already out of reach. I was very motivated for Sint-Lenaarts. A bit to my own surprise I had taken the lead, but I definitely wanted to go for it. A few weeks ago I had started training with Tommy Goossens' father. I always trained alone before, so that was certainly an additional incentive. Of course I would have liked to have been there in the FAM final, but after consultation with the doctor I decided not to ride. In Sint-Lenaarts you have to jump a lot and that is a big risk.”
What exactly happened with your crash in Overpelt?
Kenny Janssens: “I went off quite quickly, although at first glance I didn't have much of an advantage. A few bruises we thought. Afterwards it turned out that the vertebrae had been compressed. Still a delicate injury. Fortunately, it doesn't bother me now, it doesn't hurt or anything. But that's little consolation if you're not allowed to drive!”
As a rider, do you look forward to those FAM competitions?
Kenny Janssens: “Yes, it still has something to it. Unfortunately, the spark no longer resonates with the audience. I had heard that there is little interest from the VLM and MCLB to continue with the FAM championship next year. Only the VBM would be positive, which would be a shame. Be careful, it is not easy to organize a FAM competition...
How did the previous FAM competitions go for you?
Kenny Janssens: “In Hamont I was in the lead for a long time in the first moto until a doubled rider didn't pay attention and pushed me over the embankment. I came second after Seronval. In the second heat I was fifth until I ran into problems again when doubling. I came back from last place to eighth place. In Tielt I was third in the first series after Grade and Seronval. Due to the amount of dust, there was a massive crash in the second moto in which I was also involved. I was able to make up a few places from fifteenth and ended up fifth. So all in all, the FAM has certainly not been exceptional so far.”
You had a strong start to the season in the VLM?
Kenny Janssens: “That was also unexpected actually! The winter had been very bad because I had not been able to drive for months due to the bad weather. I had worked hard physically, but three weeks before the first competition I had a serious fall on the Maasvlakte. Balen was back on the bike for the first time and I won immediately! The following week in Wommelgem I won again. Sometimes cross is just very unpredictable…”
Good luck with your recovery, Kenny.
Kenny Janssens: "Thank you!"
Credit photos: MX Patrick and DDMPCS via Kenny Janssens, mxfotorama.be
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