The alarm bell is ringing deafeningly, what now?!
A few days ago, our national coach Joel Smets again sounded the alarm in Flanders' largest newspaper. Motocross is threatened and, according to him, this is due to "selfishness and acidification in our society". We can't blame him.
But this selfishness has also infiltrated the various boardrooms of the motocross federations. Gentlemen who sell themselves as motocross-minded are doing the devil to their fellow organizers and federations and are only focused on their own interests. Unfortunately, we see that the FMB-BMB Belgian Nationals now seem to have finally collapsed after years of struggle. The MC Beaumont club unfortunately experienced this when they organized their match at the beautiful Avesne-Sur-Helpe. Only 106 pilots showed up to complete their laps.
Symptoms of a Belgian motocross world in fragmentation, of motocross practitioners who do not know what they want. Because other competitions from the Belgian National circuit also had moderate attendances, such as the competition on May 16 in Axel organized by MC Mikkola. Not only do these FMB-BMB competitions share in the malaise, the golden times also appear to be gone for many amateur federations.
Excuses that make little sense make pilots decide not to drive. That is everyone's right. But then it may be time for thorough reforms. Reforms are needed to save our sport from destruction. But first and foremost, all federations will have to sit at the table together. Here are some ideas to give them a guideline.
National Youth Federation
We must dare to call a cat a cat. In recent years, Belgian talent has been extremely thin on the ground. This means that we mainly cling to Jago Geerts when it comes to Belgians who have to deliver at the international level. Because Kevin Strijbos' empire; 31 years old, Ken De Dycker; 30 years old, Clément Desalle; 27 years old, Jeremy Van Horebeek; 26 years won't last forever. And with Brent Van Doninck; 20 years and Julien Lieber; After 22 years, the succession worthy of the name is already thin on the ground.
But we also see this problem arise when we look at the Inter series in the amateur federations. In the MCLB we see that: David Segers; 35 years old, Jurgen Wybo; 33 years, Steve Seronval; 33 years old, Maarten Govaert; 29 years old, ... experiencing the beautiful weather. The only youngster who can make things difficult for this older guard is Jorne Tytgat; 22 years old, Wietse Brackman; 22 years old, Dylan Verleysen 23 years old and Torpjurn Van Hoe; 27 years.
In the VLM federation the situation is perhaps even more dramatic with pilots like David Cools; 37 years old, Jelle Grade; 33 years old, Wesley Verheyen; 31 years old, Kenny Janssens; 31 years old and Jonathan Banks; 31 years. We can safely say that the need for young lions is even more urgent there.
In short, what should be clear to most federations is that our sport should be based on a high-quality youth competition. Something that is missing these days. Every federation has beautiful courses, every federation has strong pilots, but they never compete against each other. Something that does not benefit their level. They are not stimulated or stimulated to go faster.
One national youth competition that should be held over two days is therefore the pinnacle for any right-thinking motocross enthusiast. Where on Saturday every Belgian youth pilot present would be given the opportunity to start, in a series equal to their speed that day. Example: 85cc large wheels - Speed level A, 85cc large wheels Speed level B. Because these series could offer a full starting gate, you create a stimulating environment. The very fastest will raise themselves and their peers to higher levels. This is what we saw on an international level with Seb Tortelli and Stefan Everts in 1998 and with Max Anstie and Jeffrey Herlings in the 85cc European Championship.
While all Belgian pilots would in any case be given the opportunity to take off on Saturday, foreign pilots could also join in on Sunday. Of course, if each series has multiple speed levels on the timetable, starting opportunities can be given to many pilots. Whatever the situation, the youth will have more riding opportunities than what we see in the present. And 'bike time' is an extremely important factor for the development of young motorsport talents.
Where, in an ideal world, should these competitions take place? In a world where organizations are allowed to organize two competitions in three weeks and thus generate twice the income, as we partly see in Warsage. In a world where federations do not prohibit their organizing clubs from organizing matches for other federations.
Then such a championship should be able to offer their young participants any type of courses. This is to train them in being a motocross rider. Because from extremely talented to simply deeply in love with the sport, each of them must be taught the flexibility and techniques of the sport with love. A diversity of courses is therefore extremely important. It is what makes a pilot teach himself new techniques. With a list of courses such as Herzele, Pamel, Middelkerke, Lommel, Liernieux, Bastogne, Warsage, Moresnet, Fort van Koningshooikt, Nismes, Volkegem, Willancourt, Durler, Grandvoir, Wuustwezel, Mons, Winville, Haid, Recht, Heldergem, Sint Huibrechts Lille, Reet, Bree, Oosterbergen Tessenderlo, ... an enormous variety can be offered. In addition, 'distant' travel to a competition is a lot more relative if you know that your child will be able to play for two days.
From a conservative estimate, Belgium has about 450 to 470 youth motocross riders, spread across MC Lille, AMPL, JMS, VJMO, VMCF, FPNCA, FMWB and VMBB. As a result, a national youth federation could immediately count on a good number of license holders, competition participants and spectators. Because children bring parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents and sympathizers.
Text: Matthias Van Eeckhoven
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