Reactions from the sports world to Sven Nys
Amazement, disbelief, admiration... Nys's daring decision stirs up a lot of emotions in the sports world. We collected responses from Bart Wellens, Kevin Pauwels, Steve Ramon, Kevin Strijbos, Tom Steels, Roger De Vlaeminck, Tom Boonen and Ken De Dycker.
Bart Wellens, cyclo-cross (Fidea Cycling Team)
Click on the player below to hear Bart.
[audio:https://nl.motocrossmag.be/audio/bart_wellens.MP3]
Kevin Pauwels, cyclo-cross (Fidea Cycling Team)
“I think motocross is a powerful sport. I follow the GPs closely every year. In the past, but certainly now, because I regularly train with Kevin Strijbos through Marc Herremans. I have tried it myself. No, not with Kevin's GP bike! That was with a comrade's moped, a long time ago. MX is a very tough sport, I think you have to start early.”
Steve Ramon, motocross (Rockstar-Teka-Suzuki World MX1)
"Are you serious? Sven Nys going cross-country, that's punishment! I hadn't heard anything about that yet. Then he managed to keep his plans a secret. Which brand will he drive for? He still has a few months to train for Everts & Friends, but it will have to go quickly. I think it's great that he dares to take on that challenge, I wish him success.”
Kevin Strijbos, motocross (Beursfoon-Suzuki) Strijbos finished third at the Cyclocross Championships for amateurs in Hofstade two years ago.
“Then Sven will follow me! That's fancy of course. I think Nys is someone who has a lot of steering skills and courage. Didn't he do BMX before? I am very curious to see how he will do.”
Tom Steels, ex-top rider (including four-time Belgian road champion)
Click on the player below to hear Tom.
[audio:https://nl.motocrossmag.be/audio/tom_steels.MP3]
Roger De Vlaeminck, cycling legend (including cyclocross world champion and four-time Paris-Roubaix winner) and former hobby motocross rider in the BLB
“That's a great challenge for Sven! Motocross is an incredibly tough sport. It's really tough, even on the simple circuits I rode on! You are in the red almost immediately, your muscles sour and your body has to absorb a lot of blows. Without specific training, everything hurts incredibly. Your back, your knees and your arms of course. Avoiding cramping while driving is really not as simple as it sounds. But I have heard that Nys is getting advice from Everts and Bervoets, so he is in good hands.”
Ken Dycker, Motocross (Monster Energy-Ricci Racing-Yamaha)
“Uh, Sven Nys announcing on April 1 that he will start motocross, don't you find that suspicious? A matter of April Fools and all that. He's going to train especially for Everts & Friends, you say? It could of course be possible, but I hope he learns quickly. It was stated in 'Het Belang Van Limburg' that he wants to do GPs. If he can do that, I'll eat my clack! A few years ago I saw Bart Wellens at Sportweekend and that was no bad thing.”
Tom Boonen, cycling (Quickstep-Innergetic)
“Oh you, Nys, she's going motocross! Although… Sven is a crack at steering and balance. I think it's great that he wants to try that just for fun, because he can no longer become a champion. I would also like to race cross country, but my contract forbids that. Too bad, because I think motocross is a fantastic sport. In Balen we have the Keiheuvel motorcross every year on August 15 and that is a real popular festival. Exactly a great race! When I retire I will at least already have motocross equipment in the garage. A few years ago I bought Joël Smets' motorcycle and suit at an auction of To walk again!”
Photos credit: Ray Archer, Plan-B, Massimo Zanzani, Dzipi
Also to read
Jago Geerts: “I want to come back to Lommel”
Jago Geerts is working hard to bounce back from an injury he sustained in early March during the opening race of the 2024 MXGP World Championship in Argentina. The Belgian, who at…Andrea Bonacorsi on his move to MXGP: “That was the most difficult decision of my life”
Reigning EMX250 Champion, Andrea Bonacorsi, will move to the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team for the remainder of the 2024 FIM Motocross World Championship season, replacing…Entry lists MXGP of Portugal
The Motocross World Championship will continue next weekend with the fifth race on the MXGP calendar. In Agueda, Portugal, in addition to MXGP and MX2, the boys from EMX250 and EMX125 will also compete…Tom Vialle is chasing the US title
There is one race left in the US East Coast Supercross Championship. It will take place in two weeks in Salt Lake City, the city that has become accustomed to…
Your reactions