Mathias Van Hoof confirms progress
During the second stage for the Belgian Championship in Vellereille-lez-Brayeux, just south of Carnival city Binche, the Enduro de Bonne Espèrance was on the calendar. There, 203 riders, including 22 promises, were treated to bad weather. It was cold from the start with a slight improvement in the afternoon. For KTM Racing Center rider Mathias Van Hoof it was the second competition after his long inactivity and he proved that he can already aspire to a Top 5 place in his first season at the Beloften Enduro.
“I was at the start with a good feeling and a bike that felt really perfect and that was immediately confirmed in the first special, where I managed to achieve a 4th fastest time.” Despite some pain in his left leg, the KTM rider was able to develop a good pace, which resulted in a fast time. The promising Kempen native started the second, very technical special with good courage, but Mathias soon misjudged a bit on a rock section and fell innocently. He was able to quickly resume the timed session without much damage. “In the second part, which was more motocross-oriented, I came too fast and made a big mistake on a double jump. I fell just short and landed hard on the second bump, crashed and the handlebars hit my not yet fully recovered leg, bad luck!” A loss of 54 seconds and only a 12th fastest time put the KTM Racing center rider behind schedule.
That bad luck in the second special caused some bent handlebars on the KTM EXC-F 250, for which unfortunately there was not enough time to fully repair it. “But mainly the severe pain in my left leg threw a spanner in the works.” The goals for this race were therefore gradually refined and the emphasis was placed on finishing and limiting the damage in the rankings. Although this turned out not to be entirely necessary, because in round two the young KTM rider still recorded a good 5th and 7th time and the difference with the competitors became smaller and smaller. “I went into the third and final round with a virtual fifth place in the E1 class and sixth overall, but I couldn't and wouldn't settle for that. In the last special I fought the pain and once again made the most of everything I could and with results!”
Another 5th fastest time in that last, very technical special and 8 seconds faster than the vehicle in front resulted in fourth place and the first KTM pilot in the daily rankings. “This puts me fourth again and comfortably consolidates my place in the standings. Moreover, I was now 5th scratch, which is one place better than last week. Don't forget that 18 days ago I was still walking around with crutches...and hadn't ridden the bike for a mile! Actually, I can't complain at all with these results and I can say that I am on schedule. Considering the fact that I have only been able to ride at 70% of my ability due to a lack of thorough training, and therefore also made a mistake, I am really looking forward to Flavion. I have already won there in the Randonneurs class, so it is definitely a course that suits me. And especially bearing in mind that I now finally have a month to train thoroughly and recover from that hip dislocation,” said the fastest KTM rider at the Beloften.
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