The chairmen: Willy Aper (MCLB)
In the series of articles “The Presidents” we ask the presidents of all motocross federations about their expectations and ambitions for the upcoming season. Willy Aper of the MCLB can take the lead!
How do you look back on 2009?
Willy Aper: Extremely satisfied! We were able to complete all our matches without any major problems. On Sunday we could count on 300 to 350 pilots. The VJMO on Saturday also went well, where we received between 80 and 120 riders. In other words, we always had a very acceptable turnout. Roosdaal-Pamel was the absolute winner last year. During the same weekend we had the youth championship races and on Sunday the Inters MX1/MX2 and MX3 were decided. In terms of pilots, we had about 580 participants, we had beautiful weather and with more than 3.000 spectators, Roosdaal even had an absolute record turnout. We haven't experienced that very often at MCLB.
What will change this year?
Willy Aper: What is good is difficult to improve. Changing for the sake of change is therefore pointless. We will have five or six new organizations. Moreover, they are nicely spread across Brabant, East and West Flanders. We hope to welcome as many drivers in 2010 as last year, because despite everything we saw the number of affiliated pilots increase last year. Doing even better is extremely difficult. It would be very nice if we could stay at the same level!
Who do you expect to be at the front of the Inters this season?
Willy Aper: First of all I think of the reigning Inters MX1 champion of course: Steve Seronval. Steve is a very talented pilot, but for financial reasons he had to end his GP career early. His biggest attackers in the championship are all back in the game and I now expect strong resistance from someone like Christophe Descamps. We are also very happy with the return of Jurgen Wybo to MCLB. Jurgen is an absolute trendsetter and he proved last year with a third place in the BK Inters MX2 of the BMB that he can compete with the best.
Organizing a motocross race is not child's play, how do you manage this smoothly with so many employees needed?
Willy Aper: That is a constant interaction. Everyone on the board of the MCLB, every member of the management council is very aware of what all volunteers do and the amount of work that is involved in the organization. We communicate with the employees at the competitions every week. We ensure that they have a good time as much as possible and we listen to any comments. Mutual respect is very important, whatever your task. As a board we really stand among the people on the ground, MCLB does not rule from an ivory tower or something like that. We are one whole, that is the only way to succeed.
During the 'Save the Motocross' parade in November, all federations were on the same page. Will there be a follow-up to this collaboration?
Willy Aper: MCLB is affiliated with FAM Vlaanderen, so in terms of collaborations, this is primarily done through our umbrella association. Guido Ver Boven is the point of contact there. Just as it happened for the action in Brussels, where everything was well organised.
What do you hope to achieve in 2010?
Willy Aper: We want to offer our organizers and riders the same potential as last season. If we succeed, the rest will take care of itself. Then we will see beautiful, exciting and safe competitions again. Then the public will have fun and we can continue to build as a federation.
Photos credit: Gino Coghe / mxfotorama.be
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