Catch up with Ceriel Klein Kromhof
After three years on KTM, 'CKK' is showing its colors this season. Ceriel switches to Yamaha with Van Beers. A promising evolution for the 19-year-old Overijssel resident who became 125cc Junior vice world champion two years ago. Klein Kromhof is one of four Dutch riders in the MX2 World Championship this season, alongside Herlings, Coldenhoff and Brakke.
A lot of lowlanders are going to prepare in Spain, what about you?
Klein Kromhof: I haven't been to Spain yet, but I have already started training hard in Northern Italy. It did me good, by the way. Later I will also go to Spain. Actually, I haven't ridden the bike much in the winter. Only now am I starting to ride intensively again. I stayed off the bike completely for two months because it was so included in my schedule. If people with more wisdom and experience prescribe something like that, then just do it!
How does the adjustment to the Yamaha go after all these years of KTM?
Klein Kromhof: I was actually a bit dreading it because I thought that KTM certainly couldn't be matched in terms of engine and so on. Yet the Yamaha YZ250F immediately turned out to be a great success. In every area actually. I liked the torque, but the suspension also felt good even from the first time riding. No, I am very satisfied with the material.
You are also new to Yamaha-Van Beers, a very different way of working than last year, I assume?
Klein Kromhof: Certainly, I used to run my own team and there was still a lot that I did myself. Cleaning the tent, loading the truck, getting stuff... You're constantly busy. Now I'm leaving on Monday morning for Eersel (note: where the Yamaha-Van Beers workshop is located) and I will stay there for three or four days. I now have so much more peace and I have a team of experienced people around me. That is a very nice feeling. It's even in small things: when I used to come in, I would put the motorcycle on the stand myself. Now someone is immediately available to accept the motorcycle. Not that I feel too good about that myself! But you know that you are no longer alone.
In 2009 you showed some flashes of class in the World Cup, but you turned 30th finally. I had the feeling that there was quite a bit more to it?
Klein Kromhof: Exactly, over a weekend there was always something that was good. Either my starts were good or I rode strong on Saturday. Only the end results were not forthcoming. Now I know it's a mental issue. I always thought there was something wrong with myself, or conditionally. That's how I made myself small. I learned from that, but there is no one who can help you with that. First of all, you need to create more peace for yourself. That is why it is so good that I was able to make that switch to Van Beers. Here I find an environment where I can prove myself.
What do you want to achieve this year?
Klein Kromhof: That remains the key question of course! I'm not going to comment on a place in the World Cup. First of all, I want to make progress myself, of course. Then you still have a load of new guys in the MX2... That's really a waste of money. I still want to aim for a top three place in the ONK. (Note: CKK was 7de in 2009). I feel like this is a new start and I'm really looking forward to it.
Good luck Ceriel!
Klein Kromhof: Thanks.
Credit photos: ronnysfoto.nl
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