The end-of-year questions: part 3
At the last moment we look back on the 2010 motocross season. We do this with 9 readers of MXMag.be. They come from the industry, media or are simply fans.
Four insiders conclude our series of end-of-year questions today. In a few hours of 2011, Heikki Declercq (driving force behind MC Mikkola and also organizer of BMB competitions and correspondent for Het Laatste Nieuws and Motorgazet), Steven Lettani (team boss LS Honda Racing and manager of LS Motors in Lier) and Thierry Sarasyn ( ex-crosser in the BLB and editor-in-chief of Motorwereld) back in 2010. Our in-house photographer Christophe Desmet also answers the end-of-year questions.
1)The 2010 dirt bike?
Heikki Declerq: “Definitely the Yamaha YZ450F. Despite the negative publicity surrounding it in the GPs, the machine is still extremely popular nationally. In addition, the YZ450F is extremely reliable.”
Steven Lettani: “The Honda CR-F 450.”
Thierry Sarasyn: “The KTM SX-F 350.”
Christophe Desmet: “The KTM SX-F 350, the results in its debut year speak for themselves. And judging by tests, this is the future.
2) Motocross rider of the year? (International)
Heikki Declerq: “Jérémy Delincé. Was on the podium in the only MX3 GP he participated in and in Markelo. He also took the overall victory in the Coupe de l'Avenir. Furthermore, an honorable mention for the Lieber brothers who were successful in the European Championship.”
Steven Lettani: “Tony Cairoli.”
Thierry Sarasyn: “Tony Cairoli”
Christophe Desmet: “Ken Roczen. The way in which he, as a 16-year-old, experiences wins and losses shows pure class. He shows that he is still a child, but when he needs to, he sounds like a man with years of experience. His speed is phenomenal and all this will make Ken Roczen a great crosser.
3) Motocross rider of the year? (National)
Heikki Declercq: “Kevin Fors, he proved to be ready for the real work after duels with Nick Triest in the BK MX2. The good environment and advice from Patrick Caps are starting to pay off.”
Steven Lettani: “Steve Seronval.”
Thierry Sarasyn: “Clément Desalle”
Christophe Desmet:” Steve Ramon. Steve will never be a man of big statements, but as he has gotten older, he has become a worthy figurehead for Belgian motocross. He can be found at the front again and again, helped Belgium to the podium during the MX of Nations with his experience and is also committed to Belgium. This is reflected in his title in the BK MX.
4) Best match of 2010?
Heikki Declercq: “ Two actually. To start with, the International Motocross of Mons. The circuit had been renewed and the format was also new. No more entry fees, but a big prize pool like abroad. The French championship is already following their example in 2011. In addition to Mons, I also choose Wuustwezel. Their separate series for the MX2 class was great and shows respect for the MX2 riders. More BMB organizers should follow the example and have the Inters MX2 ride separately at every International competition, possibly together with the Nationals MX2.
Steven Lettani “In my case it was the Spanish MX1 GP in Bellpuig, because we took the GP win there with Tanel Leok.”
Thierry Sarasyn: “The Inters Open class during the Belgian Championships in Beervelde.”
Christophe Desmet: “The MXoN, this is and remains the race of the year. You see riders who are rivals during the season, working together for the honor of their country. The tension between the US and the rest of the world returns year after year. And I feel that is the ideal motivation for a beautiful atmosphere. After two of the three series, anything can still happen. It is also wonderful to see how some succumb to the pressure of their country, but especially how some can go the extra mile and surprise everyone. I am now looking forward to Saint-Jean d'Angély in September.”
5) Who was the revelation of 2010?
Heikki Declercq: “Evgeny Bobryshev.: still scoring in difficult circumstances, congratulations.”
Steven Lettani: “Jeffrey Herlings.”
Thierry Sarasyn: “Jeffrey Herlings”
Christophe Desmet: “Jeffrey Herlings, another miracle child. I had heard it said that he is fast. But the fact that he would compete for a GP victory from the start of the season was phenomenal. His final series in Mantova showed pure commitment and dedication. In the sand he will already be the man to beat. If things stay straight between the ears, he will also become a great driver.”
6) Biggest disappointment of 2010?
Heikki Declercq: “The entrance and participation costs at the BMB, which skyrocketed in 2010, with Lommel and Balen as international toppers, were extremely expensive and which will probably cost the BMB riders in 2011. (20 euros participation for the rider + 20 euros camping allowance for the mechanic + 20 euros entrance fee for the mechanic in Balen). In Lommel 25 euros entrance fee”
Steven Lettani: "No opinion."
Thierry Sarasyn: “James Stewart.”
Christophe De Smet: “The US GP in Glen Helen. When this competition was announced I thought wow, finally a GP there. The stories about the beautiful circuit all turned out to be true, but I was disappointed with the way it was done. No publicity, no interest from the American riders and especially no interest from the public. Hopefully this was all due to the late announcement and we will see a very different GP next year.”
7) Most notable motocross trend of 2010?
Heikki Declercq: “On an international level, the fact that the GPs are no longer the leading events. Many riders prefer lucrative international competitions instead of the GPs. The trend has been set in England and will probably spread to mainland Europe in 2011. The international competitions can take advantage of this. Hopefully the public will pick up on this trend, just like in England.”
“On a national level, the fact that the costs to ride BMB became too high due to the federation, which meant that many pilots no longer made the long distances and chose their races. Hence the large differences in rider numbers in Hasselt and, for example, Oudenburg.”
Steven Lettani: “A difficult question…. I think there were few, if any, trends in 2010.”
Thierry Sarasyn: “Everyone scrubs: from the AMA to the MCLB.”
Christophe Desmet: “The American dream” is starting to look more and more like a pipe dream. Almost every rider dreams of going to the States. But more and more riders now seem to be coming back from it. And those who went there are also returning to the GPs. The American Supercross is only for the very best Europeans, because it is a completely different discipline.”
Photo Credits: CDS Images,
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