The amateur card: Pascal Bal
Name: Pascal Bal
Nickname: Dancers
Date of birth: 19/11/1968
Birthplace: Ghent
Profession: Bicycle dealer (Ballini)
Federation & class: Bmb masters and mclb in between
Achievements: World Championship veterans '11, 6 times BK, FAM title, 109 victories ...
Most memorable MX moment: The World Championship title among the veterans
Favorite track: Faenza in Italy
Favorite rider: Currently Ken Roczen, formerly Jeff Stanton
MXM; You recently participated in the World Championships for veterans. How did it go and what do you think of the championship format (1 weekend)
I don't like the fact that it is only held in one weekend, a nice full-fledged motocross championship in my opinion is at least 4 to 6 races. So that there can be some variation in terms of circuits and shape arrow. Although I can understand it, not everyone has the same amount of time, most veterans work and don't feel like making 6 long journeys.
MXM; You have been in the cross world for a long time. What do you think is the biggest difference compared to, say, 20 years ago?
20 years ago the best won and that is still the case today. Yet the flow is different. In the past, you simply had the 40 best at the start through the open qualifications per GP. If it was a sand competition, there would be 40 sand specialists at the gate, if on a hard track you would have the 40 best concrete eaters at the start. That is no longer the case. Yet the top talents will always be picked up, no matter what the system is. Unfortunately for those who fall under this category, they can no longer register for a GP and show their skills as before.
MXM; You are going to the Youth World Cup in Lierneux with Junior. Do you follow the youth scene a bit (European Championships, master kids, Junior World Cup, Loretta Lynns)
That's right, we're going to the junior World Cup. But we don't really have any expectations, Junior has only been driving since the beginning of this year and doesn't have the speed yet. I have been following the youth scene for a long time, it is great how these young guys turn up the engine and have already mastered the new techniques such as scrubbing and whipping. I know how difficult motocross is and with all my experience I haven't even mastered those techniques, so that's really impressive. Anyone who looks around will still see a lot of talent in Belgium, for example in the 85ccs you have Geerts, Verhelst, De Sweemer, Bielen ... it was pure pleasure to see these guys fight against a factory pilot like Jorge Prado Garcia in Wuustwezel. I can't wait for August 9 & 10.
MXM; Do you feel like such competitions are more important in modern motocross than they used to be?
It's actually almost impossible to compare. In the past you didn't have a European Championship final or a junior World Cup like this. The BMB, for example, only had competitions from the age of 16… I think it is a positive evolution, as long as they don't push the children at too young an age. But talent will certainly emerge from this, and those who don't get there will have had some nice experiences. However, you have to be mentally strong early on, so you can quickly compete against the best in the world. You win one series and the other series you have a worse start and you only just finish 20th. Everyone is so evenly matched.
MXM; Where else do we see Pascal Bal at work?
I will do my best to participate in the European Championship 300cc in Lommel, the most difficult part is finding a motorcycle. In addition, some BMB and MCLB competitions. I would also like to thank the people who helped me get there, my wife, my parents, Dirk van Meelen, Twin Air – air filters, Ballini, Walter Haentjens from AMC Evergem and all the friends and supporters who support me through thick and thin!
Text & Photo: Frederik 'VePix' Van Eeckhoven
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