Joël Robert is Belgian MXoN icon 2011
Since 2007, the year that Joël Smets succeeded his namesake Joël Robert as manager of Team Belgium, the Belgian team has paid tribute to a legendary rider from the rich Belgian motocross history. None other than Joël Robert was chosen for this edition of the MX of Nations. Robert's record of six world titles (all in 250cc) stood for no less than three decades. The flamboyant Robert also achieved great success in the Trophy of Nations, which was reserved for the quarter-liters. He forced 12 selections and won the Trophy four times. In addition, Joël also showed his talent in the Motocross of Nations, on the 500cc, in which he was selected 6 times and triumphed twice with the Belgian team.
On Friday evening, during a casual performance, spoken with bravado by Master of Ceremony Joël Smets, the 2011 shirt of Team Belgium was presented in the presence of Joël Robert himself. Of course, the former CZ and Suzuki star was extensively decorated. The Team Belgium sympathizers, helpers, sponsors and press people received a funny anecdote from Robert as a treat.
However, Smetske also took the opportunity to gather the trio of Belgian Joël crosstoppers for a fun photo: Joël Roelants, the baby, Joël Smets the dad and grandpa Joël Robert. In short, as always, there was a lot of fun in the Belgian Base Camp where people laughed and drank for a long time. Two disciplines in which bon vivant Robert equally excelled. But when there was a blast, Robert was just as good there. Let us from the Belgian Team hope the same this weekend!
The Belgian MX icons
2011: Joel Robert
2010: Eric Geboers
2009: Harry Everts
2008: Georges Jobé
2007: Roger De Coster
Photos credit: CDS
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