Reactions to BMB rule changes.
Because there has been some commotion surrounding the new 'changes for the 2015 Motocross season' that the FMB-BMB have implemented, we wanted to hear what some people with name and fame thought about it. We will also soon try to shed light on the other side of the story by letting the people of the BMB have their say.
Stefan Everts (10x world champion): 'Personally, I am in favor of separate categories, partly to keep things easy for the public. In addition, it is not interesting for a pilot who has just entered a certain class to be immediately thrown together with a stronger class of drivers.
All these changes also seem to me to be made to create a fuller starting gate. However, this could be solved in another way. A dream of mine is a Belgian championship, supported by all federations. A BC in which each federation sends its fastest pilots several times a year. This so that the drop in level can be stopped. If something like this doesn't happen soon, I'm afraid that Belgian motocross will be extinct within a few years.
One youth association would also help in this matter. Every federation has some good youth pilots, but they often have little opposition. In the best case, parents opt to seek high-level opposition abroad, otherwise a talent is lost. But something like this should also be possible in Belgium. What ADAC and KNMV can do should also be possible here, but so far self-interests have stood in the way.
I would also like to ask everyone to be present in Wachtebek on Saturdaye. This is another part of what we need to do as motocross riders to help ensure the future of our sport. We need to have something in our hands so that we can show everyone that we motocross riders are not by definition also natural terrorists.'
Danny Theybers (Former Grand Prix pilot): 'I only see one reason why these are being merged, because there are not enough MX1 riders (or no interest?). I remember this was also done in 1991 or 92, which was anything but nice for MX2 (125cc) pilots at the time (I thought so at the time anyway). Riding in 20th place and yet perhaps in a duel for the podium in the MX2 class?!. Mentally this is not good, which is why I think many MX2 pilots are now looking for competitions abroad.'
Gunther Ghysels: 'The only reason why they are combining the series is to get a full series, but I fear that even more pilots will drop out due to this decision. For the MX2 riders, I can perfectly imagine that a lot of criticism will follow. I think it is a great pity that the BMB was the association a few years ago; beautiful circuits, lots of people and pilots, high level,... while the situation is sad now.
I think that BMB should urgently consult with the amateur associations to revive the Belgian Championship. When the 5-6 best from each category of the amateur associations go to the BKs, you will have competitions to look forward to again; more battle, more pilots, more people. Now everyone competes in their own championship and they don't compete against each other, which I think is a shame in principle. The then FAM was also successful and the type of competition where everyone was hungry to defend their federation/honor.
This year, a winner among the challengers at a BC competition received more than €700. It seems amazing to me that the top amateurs earn something like that on a weekend in their federation and yet no one showed up other than Dewulf. In my opinion, it is just a matter of making mutual agreements.
I don't think it's a bad idea that there is now one joint 125cc two-stroke series, especially now that the MX2 riders are riding with the MX1. It suddenly also ensures that they have a fuller series. To create a fully-fledged international series for the 125cc class, I think it is mainly a matter of providing enough riding time and making it easily accessible to foreigners.'
Wietse Brackman (Vice Belgian MX2 Champion 2014): 'I personally think this is a great pity. I think the Inters Mx2 class has always been one of the most beautiful classes. When I used to ride 85cc, I always thought it was the most beautiful class to watch. Especially by the younger pilots who always do something crazier to prove themselves at the big BC competitions.
Now that they are making it an open class, we Mx2 pilots will receive much less attention, also from the public. Because who is going to look at the leader of the Mx2 class if he might only be in 10th place?. That's a bit of a shame. In addition, it is not easy to compete against big 2s with your Mx450 motorcycle. The start is 70% of your race but it stops there, you just can't compete with a 450 in the start. Personally, I'm considering riding Mx1 now. I am now training with a Husqvarna 350 from Leon Sagaert and it suits me better than I expected. We will see at the start of the season whether the Bmb sticks to its decision or not. We are still a while away from the first BK test.'
Tim Mathys (Team Manager Standing Construct Yamaha): 'MX2 at MX1 is never a good idea! The difference in power is too great and an MX2 pilot with ambition either takes too big risks to compensate or becomes discouraged. It is also bad commercially for real MX2 teams! As a Belgian team you have Belgian sponsors. Some of them don't know anything about MX and if you invite them to see your rider ride an 8th place, for example... on the Keiheuvel with a 250 between 450 and XNUMX would be very good, then that would be anything but favorable. It would have been better to open the MX2 class to foreigners. Then you created a strong series where everyone fought with equal weapons. Very unfortunate, but I think that another opportunity is being missed and that this is once again proof that a number of people who are in charge of Belgian motocross have little real feeling for the sport.'
Hans Van Doninck (Father of Brent): The fact that they are going to merge both series is incomprehensible and also very dangerous. The MX2 pilots will also not be able to be in the spotlight among all the MX1 riders. It is anything but motivating that you already know before the start that it will be very difficult to be there on your bike that has 200cc less. The MX2 should simply ride separately and be opened to foreign pilots.
Article: Matthias Van Eeckhoven – Photo: Vepix
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