Report: Jens Getteman in MotoGP!
The riders of 24MX Honda, Xavier Bow en Jens Getteman, took last weekend off to visit the final round of the MotoGP World Championship in Valencia. There they saw Honda colleague Marc Marquez ride to his first MotoGP world title. Both for Boog, Getteman and team manager Steven Lettani it was their first visit to the MotoGP. And it was a wonderful introduction!
The final MotoGP round had the perfect climax with child prodigy Marquez crowning himself world champion after a spectacular race in front of a frenzied audience of more than 104.000 people! Jens and Xavier met (former) world champions such as Stefan bradl (LCR Honda), Alvaro Bautista (Go & Fun Honda Gresini), Colin Edwards (NGM Mobile Forward Racing), Loris Capirossi, the young Belgian Livio Law (in the intro photo) and many other asphalt colleagues. In addition, they also get an exclusive look behind the scenes at what happens in “the other GPs”!
350 kilometers per hour on two wheels
While the fans Ricardo Tormo circuit have already left, today it is business as usual for the road race toppers who have already started their first 2014 tests. The enormous media attention for the post-GP test of the MotoGP riders is a big difference with the way in which motocross riders complete their training. Apart from a casual photographer, there is rarely or never anyone present during an MX training. On the other hand, MX riders fortunately have much more opportunity to train with the bike. And no matter how different these two worlds are, there are many more similarities than you would suspect at first glance.
“What you guys are doing is amazing, I have the utmost respect for motocross riders ” says Stefan Bradl. “In your case, those high jumps obviously make the most impression, in MotoGP it is of course the speed. ” With speeds of almost 350 km/h and with approximately 250 hp – for 160 kg – at its disposal on the Honda RC213V the former Moto2 world champion knows exactly what he is talking about. “Many riders have a background in motocross, but I don't. Not even for training, the risk of injuries is too great! What have you broken so far? ' Bradl asks Boog and Getteman. We would almost forget that the fast German broke his right neck barely a month ago, but only missed one GP. And Jorge Lorenzo crashed the DutchTT with a broken collarbone less than 48 hours after his unfortunate start...
From motocross to MotoGP
Bradl's Belgian crew chief Christophe Bourguignon does have a past in motocross. Bourguignon, known as Beefy in the paddock, rode motocross himself and later worked for Eddy Seel, Axel Holvoet and Marnicq Bervoets. Exactly 20 years ago, he made the leap to road racing as a suspension specialist.
For many GP racers, dirt bikes are their second passion. For both Alvaro Bautista and Mattia Pasini, motocross is an integral part of their preparation. “I try to avoid big jumps,” Bautista explains. “but motocross is so much fun! Especially when I can ride with friends. You always have to look for grip on unpaved surfaces and the physical aspect is also excellent training for MotoGP. I grew up in Talavera de la Reina where the Spanish 250cc GP used to take place, and I still live there. The cross track there is really cool, but it's a bit too technical for me,” Alvaro grins. Forward Racing's Mattia Pasini is a regular guest at Valentino Rossi's ranch where he rides dirt track. But the son of pocket bike builder Luca also loves motocross. “The Honda CRF450 you ride is a fantastic bike, but I feel more comfortable on my own CRF250. If I wasn't riding in Moto2 I would be racing all the time, day and night! The jumping is probably the hardest for us road racers. I think switching in the other direction is easier. Antonio Cairoli has already tried a MotoGP bike, but I think it's probably better to start with a 600cc!” Thanks for the tip Mattia.
Close racing and high-tech
We walk the Australian in the impressive Gresini hospitality Bryan Staring, Doni Tata Pradita from Indonesia and GP legend Loris Capirossi against the body. Staring started as a motocross rider but soon preferred asphalt. The friendly Aussie still keeps an eye on the goings-on in the Motocross World Championship and the AMA Supercross. “Dean Ferris goes to KTM? Wow, that's a really great opportunity. It was awarded to him!” Three-time world champion Capirossi is now in sporty retirement, but Dorna's safety advisor still has a soft spot for everything on two wheels. “Nice to meet you guys! Cross is super beautiful, I also know how difficult it is. But I think even for GP riders in motocross it is worthwhile to include other forms of motorsport in their training. For example enduro, trial or perhaps supermoto. When Stefan Everts I often went trial riding with him in Monaco. That was the year in which he won all three GP classes in Ernée. Trial won't be that bad, right?"
Repsol Hondas changed in Valencia Dani Pedrosa en Jorge Lorenzo more than once a stripe of paint. The 24MX Honda riders were spoiled with close racing. But in general, each GP class has its specific characteristics. And learning the trade so that you can shine later in MotoGP, you do that in Moto2 and Moto3. In Moto2 everyone competes with similar equipment, the same 600cc Honda engine and Dunlop tires, only the frame and chassis are different. The Frenchman Johann zarco is one of the fast men in Moto2. He finished third in Valencia, but besides being talented, Zarco also turns out to be a clever person who can convey technical information smoothly and in an understandable way.
Telemetry for beginners
In the Ioda Racing pit box he explains how important the correct adjustment is. The relationship between the lean angles, temperature of specific engine parts, the driving lines, braking points, tire wear, speeds, split times, where to shift gears, accelerate or brake... A large number of parameters are measured with telemetry and then analyzed. All looking for one tenth of a second. Every effort is made to find the advantage somewhere that can make a difference. Johann briefly explains how telemetry allows on the one hand to change the setup and on the other hand allows the rider to adjust his riding style. All this allows you to work very accurately, but comparing it with motocross is difficult in this area. Although electronics in MXGPs are of course also becoming increasingly important. After his explanation, Zarco comes with a refreshing conclusion. “It may seem like as a road racer you have to think a lot and are constantly analyzing everything. But it's actually quite simple. You just want a motorcycle that allows you to drive as freely and intuitively as possible. Without having to think. On the track you just have to enjoy racing!”
Stars of tomorrow
Of course, every motorcyclist looks for that feeling. With some racers you also see that pleasure in racing on the track. That certainly applies to the Australian Jack Miller. On the little one FTR Honda Miller recorded good results this year. For 2014, 'Jackass' is tipped as one of the main contenders for the Moto3 world title. Like many Australians, Jack's career started on dirt. He rode motocross and supercross, took the national 65cc title and showed that he also had potential in dirt track and supercross. But in the end it became a road race. “You're from Belgium Jens,” the friendly guy from Townsville, Queensland asks Getteman, “then you must know everything about driving in the sand, right? The 24MX Honda pilot nods. And it soon becomes clear that the enthusiastic Miller knows a lot about the MXGPs. “I'm still against it in Australia Todd Waters driven. It will be interesting to see how he can perform in the GPs. But I will also follow you,” he adds. ” Did you know that by the way? Jeremy McGrath is here this weekend?” Staying around longer is not an option because the Racing Team Germany driver has to get ready for the qualifications.
Almost everything is different in MotoGP. Whether it concerns the infrastructure, the speeds or even the sounds. In the Repsol - Honda pit box, Xavier Boog and Jens Getteman admire the factory engine Dani Pedrosa. However, the name on everyone's lips is Marc Marquez. The MotoGP rookie is barely 20, just like Getteman. In addition to the driving skills of MM93, the roar of the powerful MotoGP engines also makes a big impression. The tall Belgian feels perfectly at home on his Honda CRF450R. In MotoGP terms, Jens is a giant. As the youngest regular participant of the MX1 World Championship, his Moto3 counterpart Livio Law it makes for a nice photo. Loi, who comes from Genk, measures only 1 m58. But the 16 year old Marc VDS rider has shown this year that he has potential in road racing GPs.
The hospitality of the Belgian top team is greater than that of any GP team in the Motocross World Championship and the food is also excellent. Fortunately, it's not all about glamor or appearances. The passion for competition is just as real here as in MXGP, enduro, rally raid, trial or speedway. “I am the happiest person in the world when I can do what I love most and that is racing. It doesn't matter what,” says Scott Redding . The British superstar is known for turning up in his bus to race on a local track or for a game of supermoto. Although he is now one of the greats with his switch from Moto2 to MotoGP (where he will ride for Go & Fun Honda Gresini), the 20-year-old Redding remains as approachable as ever. Scott came close to winning the first world title this year for the team managed by Michael Bartholemy but in Valencia he made it a point to finish what he started. Despite the pain and injuries he suffered during the Japanese GP, Redding rode through the pain barrier to earn a well-deserved championship point... Definitely an example!
When Xavier Boog and Jens Getteman leave the crowd behind them, the MotoGP fairy tale is over. Back to the real world. Where it is a lot colder and where tough heats in Lommel, Olmen and Dunkirk are the order of the day. To each his own, right?
Photos: Plan B, Honda Pro Images & Marc VDS
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