Gunther Ghysels is aiming for top 3 at Challengers
With the opening of the BMB season in sight, we had a conversation with 19-year-old Gunther Ghysels. The West Flemish is starting his second season at the Inters Open and is combining his higher studies at the Hantal University of Applied Sciences in Kortrijk with his motocross career.
What does the week of a student and a motocross rider actually look like?
Gunther Ghysels: “On Monday I have a full day of lessons and then there is some more cycling. On Tuesdays I even have lessons until 17 p.m. and then I go swimming and from 19 p.m. I go to Kuurne to train with my physical trainer Bertje Vercoutere. The next day I only have half a day of lessons and in the afternoon there is normal motorcycle training. On Thursday there is a full afternoon of intensive cycling training and on Friday I have lessons until 17.30 pm, after which there is time for rest.
Normally I have much less time in my class schedule, but I have been given a top sports status that allows me to complete my studies in four years instead of the normal three years. The fact that the application was sent via Topsport Vlaanderen apparently left an impression because I immediately received a positive answer. There are also few competitions in June, so that's not too bad for my exams.”
This year you are leaving Topsport Vlaanderen, but has contact now been completely broken?
Ghysels: “Certainly not, because last year I combined Topsport Vlaanderen with MC Mikkola and this year I have to leave Topsport due to my age, but there is still contact with Joël Smets who provides me with advice and assistance. And I certainly appreciate that.”
Did the preparation for the season go smoothly?
Ghysels: “Until recently everything was running perfectly. I had done a lot of motorcycle training and the new Yamaha was almost perfect until I had a hard blow in Axel last week. I landed hard on my wrist and some of the tendons would have been hit by now. But I'm just trying to continue my preparation and am now heading to France to ride a few races in the Picardie championship.”
What does your full program look like this season?
Ghysels: “The team's main goal is mainly in all BMB competitions as the sponsors are all Belgian and Dutch. There I can combine the Belgian Championship with the lucrative Challenger Cup and the Flemish Championship where you can earn some money. In addition, I will be given the freedom of the team to ride some World Championship Mx3 tests and the Picardie championship. If there is another Belgian GP in Wallonia, I will definitely be at the start there. I hope to be able to get into the top three in the Challengers and in the Belgian Championships we will have to wait and see who will always be at the start. The names that are already known suggest that it will once again be a high-quality BC.”
“GG 46” thanks the following people for their support: Mc.Mikkola racing team, CKP, Lazer helmets, EKS glasses, MX477, Decubber containers, Barta racing, TS cabling, BVE training, Donny Bisschop leisure clothing and Leon Sagaert.
Text and photos: Gino Maes
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