Belgian youth report: Part 4 (final)
Together with BMB talent coach Yves 'Holeshot' Devlaminck, we present you the end-of-year report of the Belgian youth. Who did it well, what could be improved and, above all, is there something in it? We will end on a beautiful note in the last part. Because with Brent Van Doninck, Julien Van Stippen and Ludovoc Brevers, this episode also contains a selection of fast and talented teenagers!
The German champion: Brent Van Doninck
The opinion of Holeshot: “A special case, that's how you can describe Brent! Off the bike he is very extroverted, but can certainly be serious at the important moments. Objectively speaking, Brent is certainly someone with a bright future at a high level. Just like Damon, he is someone who can excel on all three surfaces (hard, sand and everything in between), although he can also hold his own in supercross. The tougher the conditions, the more the circuit is broken, the better he feels! He sometimes produces very beautiful passages in the sand. To go much faster is very difficult…
Yet Brent still has room for growth on a technical level: being more precise with his gearbox, but especially that damn rear brake that he still uses too often in the corners. I have also seen him far too often putting in fast laps at the wrong time. On Saturday he already uses a lot of energy. He also knows that his stature is a disadvantage in this class... Yet he managed to convince me with some good performances during the season.
That is why I believe that he has what it takes to reach the top! In mid-October he was crowned German champion at the age of thirteen. That is a feat that has only been presented to him by men of the caliber of Herlings, Roczen or Strijbos. Congratulations Brent!”
By character: Julien Van Stippen
The opinion of Holeshot: “Julien has good technique, both when it comes to jumping and drifting. Even more striking, however, is his incredibly fierce character! He still has to learn to control his energy and focus on the main thing. I have rarely seen a young guy on a motorcycle who drives so intelligently. However, Julien does not have much experience yet. He learns very quickly, but he still has a tendency to repeat his mistakes...
Like many other (young) pilots, he has to forget his rear brake. He needs to drive more fluidly to conserve his energy, although Julien will always remain an impulsive and aggressive pilot. A real attacker! During the internship he impressed with some passages from another planet! Next season he will combine the 'Picardie' with some 'Cadets' in France. In addition, it would be positive to also ride in Belgium to gain experience in the sand. Julien is typically a guy who needs intensive guidance (such as the promising selection in France) because he has enormous potential in every area, whether it concerns the technical, physical or mental aspect of motocross!”
Brevers and the others
Yves Devlaminck has now discussed his 'solid core' of promises with whom he worked during the season. Yet 'Holeshot' continues to highlight a few other talents, even though he does not know them all personally.
The opinion of Holeshot: “First and foremost, there is Ludovic Brevers, the son Laurent. Ludovic goes his own way in an amateur federation, yet he can always be found at the front when he participates in a major competition (Master Kids, Everts and Friends charity race, etc.)! He consciously chose to switch to a 125c at a young age.
That is not immediately an appropriate option at that age, on the other hand, why not? After all, there is no straight path for anyone that guarantees you will reach the top. Moreover, it seems to work for Ludovic. If I could give some advice, I would ask him to continue working on his driving technique, especially when it comes to jumping and drifting. Above all, someone of his level must also seek out international competition, even if only a few times a year. Furthermore, Ludovic seems like someone with character, a fighter...
I have also had the opportunity to... Arne Tureluren to work. Arne is a nice guy, he is a bit shy but he listens well and if he wants to know something he will ask. He performs well in the sand, but he still needs to improve on hard courts. Next season he will also be on a heavier bike. That is why he must definitely take the time during training to fully master the motorcycle. Physically he still has a large margin because in that area he is almost starting from scratch.
Jordi Van Mieghem I saw it at work during some races. He is still young and before he starts looking for pure speed he needs to sharpen his technique. Like Yannick Heylen, he is also on such a small rocket. In the long term, this is not immediately an advantage. During the Everts and friends charity race, Jérémy Van Horebeek, Joël Smets and Stefan Everts - all men weighing between 70 and 80 kg - were on a standard motorcycle. Yet they were still the fastest…
We also have this on the French-speaking side Arnaud Englebert en Mathieu Aerts a nice step forward was made last season. They both have a lot of enthusiasm, they want to go for it, but they have to refine their weaker technical sides. We will see Arnaud and Matthie again next year with the promises in the BMB. Provided proper preparation this winter, I see them regularly in the top 10…
Finally, I would like to introduce three French musketeers: Theo Ramos / Zino Bonnez / Jorick Lazaron. The French youth academy has been an absolute reference in Europe for some time. You also notice this in these promises; all three have their own technique and age. Jorick will climb on a 125cc next year. If he increases the training intensity on and off the bike, he can go very far... Don't say we didn't say so!
Click on the Tag 'Belgian youth talent' below to see all parts of the series.
Credit photos: CDS, Olivier & mxbernard.be
Your reactions