Part 3 of the end-of-year report
In the meantime, we have arrived at the third and final part about the Belgian MX talents of tomorrow. Also in this closing there are boys who more than showed their skills in 2010. We start with Brent Van Doninck.
Yves Devlaminck: “It is sometimes more difficult to retain a title than to win it the first time. This was the case for Brent this year in Germany. Yet this does not say everything about his season. For example, he was often impressively fast in the French championship, where he even won with a 30 (!) second lead over the second. He competed at a high level with the later 85cc world champion Henry Jacobi (ADAC) and with Micha Boy De Waal (ONK). Brent has made progress this year, both in terms of speed, experience and maturity. In Fermo he immediately finished close to the top 125 twice during his first race in the 10cc European Championship. An achievement that says a lot about its quality! I won't be surprised if he is at the front of the European Championship next year.
From a sporting point of view, there is still room for growth in terms of his fitness. He also needs to refine his technique on the motorcycle and he should certainly forget about his rear brake for when he switches to the four-stroke. He can also learn more about choosing his driving lines. This is a very important factor that will later make the difference between a top 15 and a top 5 in the World Championship. If he doesn't miss any stages, he has everything he needs to have a promising professional career. Good luck, Brent!
Julien Van Stippen: concentrated talent
Yves Devlaminck: “Julien has had a very irregular year in which he spent far too little time on the motorcycle. Yet he is one of the more, if not the most, talented of his generation. As soon as he goes on the track for training or qualification, he starts looking for new lines. Something that very few pilots are capable of at his age... However, he has the 'right eye' for it. Next year he must absolutely participate in international competitions, otherwise his lack of speed and experience will be too much. If his material and the people around him take a step up, he is capable of great things. I would advise to ride the Junior Championship in France and continue training at his speed in the sand in Belgium. The ball is now in his court, and it's now or never...
Erik Willems on the right track
Yves Devlaminck: “Erik also comes from the amateurs. He waited impatiently until he turned 12 before he could participate in national races. However, the results did not take long to arrive as Erik almost immediately took several podium places! He has already competed in international competitions in Markelo and Angreau this season. And it must be said: Erik was able to return home with respectable results. He can hold his own on any type of surface, but he still needs to improve his position on the bike, flat turns and precision during jumps are also points of attention.
He is in excellent physical condition, but he cannot rely on that to eliminate his technical errors. If he continues to grow in terms of both his technique and his speed from 2010 and takes everything step by step, then he is doing well..."
And not to forget…
It is difficult to discuss here everyone who has achieved fame at national level. I am thinking, among other things, of Belgian champion Dieter Aerts, Arthur Dumont, Michiel Breugelmans, Yente Laureyssen of Bryan Angels.
The Junior World Cup in France has taught us that other countries are working intensively to prepare the next generation. That is why you should allow young people to gain experience and be guided from the age of 10 or 12. But always with the emphasis on good technique and 'how' instead of simply aiming for results. Young people should not hesitate to ride abroad, although I remain convinced that there are also many high-quality competitions at Belgian level. So let's get started, for those who weren't there: please prove me wrong in 2011 and... good luck to all riders and families!
Click here to read the first part (Ludovic Brevers, Cedric Grobben, Yannick Heylen) of this report, the second part (Daymond Martens, Axel Nijs, Nathan Renkens) here..
Credit photos: CDS, Michel Hennebert, Acadmx
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