Green Flag: Glen Helen et cetera
The dreaming is almost over, tomorrow it will become reality or bitter seriousness. Because then the boys from the World Championship MX1, MX2 and the Veterans World Cup will be introduced to that legendary Californian circuit: Glen Helen. Those who had previously feared a minimum occupancy (or should we say minimal attendance of European drivers?) will fortunately be disappointed. Quite a few riders had been to California before and made contacts there. This not only helps to have a few supporters next to the circuit, but also to solve logistical problems. Those who played their cards right could arrive at LAX as a privateer with only a suitcase and sports bag. Check out a tour of Glen Helen below!
Motocross at Glen Helen from Stuart Smith on Vimeo.
Normally, someone arriving in California for a race is likely to have a “shakedown” at Glen Helen. But given this weekend's GP, that was obviously not an option. That is why a large number of GP riders, including Ken De Dycker, Jeremy Van Horebeek and his teammate Steven Frossard to Pala Raceway. That training circuit, where an AMA National will take place for the first time later this season (replacing Glen Helen), is about 125 km from San Bernardino.
Apparently there is little of that in and around San Bernardino GP fever to notice. No sign of any billboards or posters announcing the USGP. It may say something about the enthusiasm (or lack thereof) of the Americans for the GP. But it certainly says something about the actual place that motocross occupies in the American sporting world.
All the megastars, sold out Anaheim stadiums and Bubba reality soaps Despite this, motocross is and remains a small sport in the US. But given the scale of the US, even a small sport in that country is huge compared to a relatively large sport in the Benelux. Although that relativity itself is also relative. But that's another discussion.
For MXMag columnist Ken Dycker that training session at Pala was just an interlude after he rode the Hangtown National in Northern California last Saturday. Judging by the reactions of American fans, De Dycker's participation was very popular. Yet it showed interview that Sportwereld employee André Verhoeven did with him, that Keeno himself was only moderately satisfied with his results from Hangtown. Perhaps De Dycker will find extra motivation in this to provide sparks during the USGP.
Another person who we suspect will be super motivated at the start in Glen Helen Clément Desalle who together with fellow Fox riders Ken Roczen en Arnaud Tonus visited the headquarters Fox. The Rockstar Teka Suzuki rider dropped the 2e round of the ADAC MX Masters and spent the Pentecost weekend with him Gouy-lez-Pietons Through. This meant that Clément and father Claude could make an appearance at the VMCF Pentecost Trophy that took place in their village. During the break on Sunday, both Desalles rode a few laps on Clément's training motorcycles. We almost dare to say that “le Panda” left for America with a plan in mind.
Considering the many years of friendship between Desalles' team boss Sylvain Geboers and American Suzuki team boss Roger DeCoster, Desalle can probably count on the latter's input. If anyone from the American MX Industry knows Glen Helen, it is Roger De Coster. De Coster's experience at Glen Helen extends further than that of the average AMA Motocross team boss, because De Coster organized three 90cc GPs at the San Bernardino track in the early 500s. In 1993 he chose to organize an AMA National. It was not just a national with 2 series of 250cc and 2 series of 125cc, but a race with an unpublished race schedule that should have become a blueprint for future AMA Motocross seasons. Broadly speaking, Decoster's race was a variation on that of the AMA Supercross races. In each class there were two heats, a repechage and a main. But this, of course, is entirely beside the point.
Two other Belgian riders who may be eager to show their skills tomorrow on the slopes of Mt. Whitney (or is it Mt. St. Helen?). Joel Roelants en Jeremy Van Horebeek. Both went to California over the winter to prepare for this season. Roelants and Van Horebeek make no secret of their intention to one day start an American career. In that perspective, the American GP will of course be the ideal showcase to show your talents live to the managers of most of the top American teams.
The big names from the He loves Motocross may have sent their cat, but their team managers may be there. If only because almost every brand has commandeered the huge team truck of its American official team to house its GP team(s). The question, however, is whether they still have enough money to spend to attract new recruits from Europe. Since the AMA Motocross series also has to tighten its belt, you will almost have to be a mega talent to find accommodation in an American factory team.
Perhaps that Jeffrey herlings is one of those European mega talents who will make the crossing to the States in the coming years. In March last year, the then 14-year-old Herlings already told Wilfried Dejong in Holland Sport that he aspired to an American career. But these mega talents also exist in the US itself. And that's what we think about first and foremost So Tomac, who won the first round of the AMA Motocross Lites (MX2) championship last Saturday. Let me just say that that match was also Tomac's very first AMA Pro match. You could hear the cash register ringing right up here.
By the way, there is somewhat of a link between Eli Tomac and Belgium. Eli's father, john tomac once lived in Belgium for a few seasons when he was working as a cycling professional for the American Seven-Eleven team. Pa Tomac, who started his career as a BMX rider, was also active in Flemish classics such as Ghent-Wevelgem and De Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Overseas competitions like the USGP are always a bit of an adventure. No own enginehome, no team truck and perhaps a borrowed motorcycle. It always takes a little (sometimes a lot) of adjustment. And then one talent may come to the fore more than the other. Due to the time difference, such an overseas GP even poses a bit of a challenge for fans who then have to follow their favorite sport at a different time. In this case it amounts to time difference between California and the Benelux 9 Hours. So anyone who wants to see the four rounds of the GP will have to be prepared to sacrifice a few hours of sleep. By the way, the USGP is not the only high profile motorsport event taking place this weekend. The American round of the Superbike and Supersport World Championships will take place on Monday at Miller Motorsport Park in the state of Utah. Why on Monday? On Monday the US celebrates Memorial Day, an official holiday on which the soldiers who died for the States are commemorated.
Memorial weekend, of which Memorial Day is the highlight, is also synonymous with America's greatest sporting event; the 500 Miles from Indianapolis. That race is held at the same time as the USGP and keeps millions of people glued to the TV throughout America. Among the 33 drivers who will be at the start at the Brickyard this year is also a Belgian: Bertrand Baguette.
Enough reasons to look west this weekend!
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