Jan Lauryssen: “Experience racing again”
For Jan Lauryssen, 2010 was the year of change. After years of trying to break through at international level, Lauryssen changed his mind. The rider from Brecht opted for a new start in amateur motocross. In his first year in the VBM he immediately won the title at the Inters MX1 and rediscovered the pleasure of racing.
“Originally I was going to combine the VBM with campaigns in the Belgian Championship and ONK MX1. But it never actually got to that point. In March I rode the first round of the ONK MX1 in Mill, but that didn't work out. In fact, I almost crawled around the circuit. That day I didn't get any points. A few weeks later I tried it again in Halle. However, I had a hard fall there and then I gave up on the ONK. From then on I concentrated entirely on the VBM.”
“The switch to VBM required an adjustment. You may already have a few years of international experience, you actually have to start over. You drive a lot on fields and corn fields and those are a completely different type of circuits. You have to be able to turn as short as possible in the bends, otherwise you will lose meters. But at the same time you also have to keep an eye on the brakes. I had already driven on those kinds of circuits at VLM in my youth. Still, it took a few weeks before I found my way again.”
“At the beginning of the season, Filip Van Dijck was certainly the most formidable opponent for me. He can handle these types of circuits like no other. However, Filip quit in the middle of the season. From then on it was mainly Mike Vanderstraeten who provided opposition. There were also a few gems among the VBM circuits. Personally, I liked Warsage the most beautiful circuit that we visited this year, last year at least. A hard and fast circuit, with many elevation changes. Not exactly the kind of circuit you would expect in the VBM. A lot of my colleagues hated it. I thought it was fantastic though.”
“Many amateurs still want to participate in the Belgian Championships, but I don't. To be honest, I don't feel like competing for a 10 anymoree place. At least if you don't get doubled. The big crosses are a closed chapter for me, although I would still like to participate on the Keiheuvel. It's nice to be back on the podium and win. That's why I'm so happy that I immediately became champion this year. It may be “only” in the VBM, but that doesn't really bother me. After three seasons of mostly misery, I am enjoying racing for the first time in a long time. And in the end, that's what it's all about in my case.”
“This year I remained injury-free for the first time in a long time. That also gives a good feeling, especially if you have been in a cast for months in other seasons. Still, I had to go under the knife this year, even if it was just to rinse my knee. The result of a previous injury, but I had to miss the Pentecost classic in Moresnet because of it. Ex GP rider Werner Dewit is my coach. He always goes to the cross country. Not difficult actually because Werner is my girlfriend's stepfather. Because he sometimes seemed bored, I insisted that he also take a permit from the VBM-Inters. Although he no longer drives every Sunday. I don't know if he will still be there next year. Werner now works for the Negaan JM Racing team and will probably have to go to the GPs a lot.”
“If Werner himself was not driving, he would sometimes point out a certain line or a special track here or there on the circuit. Unbelievable how he has an eye for that. If he did ride along, I had my own tactics (laughs). Then I let him start at the front and followed him for a lap to study his lines. Then I just passed him.”
“Everything will remain the same for next year. I will stay with the LEHU team and on a Suzuki RM-Z 450. Actually, this year I was planning to ride the VBM championship on my own, but the team wanted me there. Yet I still have my own sponsors. In this way, Motorhandel Verheyen is also making its contribution. Physical training remains important, even at amateur level. You can make a difference with it. I have been training for next season for five weeks now. Because I work in my father's business, I can arrange all that quite well. Due to the operation on my knee, walking far is out of the question for me. My physical preparation mainly consists of swimming and cycling. For example, last weekend I rode a cyclocross for amateurs. Next Sunday I will probably be at the start of the cyclocross for motocross riders in Tildonk with my brother Geert.”
"Next year I will be aiming for the VBM title again. The VBM formula will undergo some changes. This is how we will drive with transponders. In addition, we are going from two to three series. I think that is a good step, it makes the day more filled and it is an extra opportunity to earn prize money. I also heard that next year every match would count for the championship. To be honest, I think that is a less positive turn.”
Photos credit: CDS, Photographic Art
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