Leon Van Gestel about his Keiheuvel feeling
Motocross and the Keiheuvel in Balen have been going together for many years. On Sunday, August 15, another crowd is expected on and around one of the most special courses in the Benelux. Winning on the Keiheuvel has something special, according to experts Steve Ramon, Kevin Strijbos and Marc De Reuver. But speaker Leon 'Stingray' Van Gestel is also very fond of this sand classic. We asked Leon about his Keiheuvel feelings.
What comes to your mind when we talk about such a monument on the calendar?
Leon Van Gestel: “To me, the Keiheuvel is fries and coke! I see you looking strange, so I will explain myself further. My comrade's brother was 18 and he had a car - not unimportant when you are 13 - so I went to the cross on the Keiheuvel the first time. I immediately noticed the smell of the fries. Not that I didn't know fries of course, but it smelled better on the cross! And the Coke was kept cold in large red containers with brine. At that time, those containers also had the well-known Cola logo. And I still enjoy the combination of fries and Coke on the cross. I have seen legendary Englishmen ride there such as Jeff Smith and Vic Eastwood and also sand king Jef Teuwissen.”
Do you have a favorite Keiheuvel story?
Leon Van Gestel: “Certainly, I cannot forget the day I held Roger De Coster in my arms. De Coster was already in the twilight of his career when this happened because he was already riding on Honda. He crashed just in front of me and was not hit by the bike. As a good supporter, I went onto the track to help him. I wasn't much of a powerhouse myself, but it immediately struck me that Roger was actually only a light guy. About 50 to 60 kg. That did surprise me. Because with all that protective clothing and that heavy engine, you always have the idea that motocross bikes are heavyweights!”
Every year the cream of the GP riders is at the start in Balen. Who are you looking forward to seeing this year?
Leon Van Gestel: “I know that the club is still negotiating with Cairoli. But knowing KMC Mol, that will probably be fine, they always do everything they can to present the strongest possible field of participants. That is certainly something to look forward to. And I would also like to see Jeffrey Herlings, who has been confirmed. Herlings is very adult on the one hand, but on the other hand he is still a child or at least a young guest. He is very natural, he doesn't complain yet and he doesn't have star caps. If you saw how Jeffrey bent over backwards in Wuustwezel to catch Roelants and Simpson, I take my hat off to you. He also delivered a spectacle during Everts & Friends and Herlings went all out. Although there was nothing at stake except honor.”
What makes Keiheuvel so special?
Leon Van Gestel: “It is a popular festival that people like to come to. You see a lot of people there who would otherwise never come to the cross. I notice that quite a bit in Arendonk where I live. Even if it is cross country in Arendonk, those people don't think about going to see it. But for the Keiheuvel they are there every year. That's an event. In the VLM, Pulderbos is also working hard to build up such a status. I was able to determine that last weekend.”
A little about your specialty. I think giving live commentary during a match is quite demanding, both physically and mentally, right?
Leon Van Gestel: “The physical aspects are not too bad. We are sheltered from rain and wind and at least a little bit out of the sun. In addition, there is usually the support of a colleague with whom I cover the competition. In Belgium this is usually Fred De Cock. In the meantime, we are also well attuned to each other. At the end of the day it is always noticeable that speaking is really a short-term memory thing. You are very busy with the match in progress. I am always happy in the evening when I hold the paper with the results. Otherwise I wouldn't know who won!”
This weekend you will comment during the GP of Limburg. Is that different from an international competition?
Leon Van Gestel: “Actually, that shouldn't happen. And it doesn't do that as far as I'm concerned. For example, during the MX Pro Series in Tongeren there was a nice duel between Steve Ramon and Clément Desalle. I don't know if there's anything to that played was or wasn't, but it was a nice cross. In my early days as a speaker, it was hard against hard every week with two pilots at the Nieuwelingen 250 in the VLM. Well that was a great spectacle, those two were guaranteed to be within half a second. You can do something with that as a speaker. They sometimes say that we experience the cross. That's a myth, I don't believe in it. The pilots make the cross.”
But does a good speaker wake people up and involve them in the spectacle?
Leon Van Gestel: “Of course, but that is also a matter of timing. And knowing when it is important. Moreover - and I notice this myself when I go to the cross - as a spectator you do not pay attention to the speaker all the time. In that respect, what we say is sometimes overestimated. If, like in Valkenswaard, I call on women to show their tits, then everyone knows that such a thing is nonsense, right? And at that moment there's nothing more sensible to say, but you're just trying to create some atmosphere. There is nothing more annoying than a speaker constantly broadcasting in sixth gear. Because how are you going to make it clear to the public that something is really happening with an important racing event? Dosing that is the art.”
More information about the MX Pro Series at Keiheuvel here.
Photos credit: Michel Hennebert, Pixelpony, CDS
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