Exclusive: interview with Cédric Grobben!
The traditional 'Five minutes with' format was not enough this time. Simply because we had some catching up to do with Cédric Grobben! MXmag has never done an interview with the fast Limburger. And Cédric himself had never given such an interview! We can benefit from that together done.
Next weekend Grobben will be at the start of the Motorcross Championships in Moerbeke. Last month he was also seen in the VLM, but the main goal of the 21-year-old pilot is the German championship. Grobben is one of the five Belgian musketeers in the ADAC MX Masters this year. Together with Jéremy Delince, Kevin Fors, Jens Getteman and Cyril Genot, he will defend the national tricolor in one of the strongest national championships in Europe.
You started the season strong; a good second in Helchteren then sixth in the very strong VLM competition in Lommel. Actually, it's still your first full season on the 450, right?
Cedric Grobben: “That's right, but I had already ridden 450 at the end of last year and that went quite well. Due to the bad weather I haven't been able to train the bike much this winter. In Helchteren and Lommel things always went well. I do know that I am still far from my best physical shape.”
Helchteren was an instant hit, right?
Grobben: "Whatever! That is only fifteen minutes from my home and indeed many supporters came along. In any case, it's nice to be behind the starting gate with so many people, I think there were 2 or 3 rows of people everywhere at the start!
You came out as one of the top favorites in our poll for Helchteren and you were there immediately!
Grobben: “That was cool, yes. The level was really high both in Helchteren and certainly in Lommel, with Ken De Dycker, Jeffrey Dewulf, Jonathan Bengtsson and Micha-Boy De Waal among them. I really enjoy such competitions. I like to ride against guys like that. If someone looks behind you you can hear them looking for a gap. Or if you hang behind a faster rider, you see the lines they take. You're always learning!"
In Helchteren you also won the crowd in the second heat!
Grobben: “In the second moto I was able to catch up with Ken (De Dycker). If you can come along for a moment and then you'll pass it on again... Yeah, that's pretty cool! It's great to see how the supporters go crazy."
Who is the biggest joker of the VLM?
Grobben: “I'll have to think about that for a moment... Just do Wesley Verheyen. We can have fun together. Just before the start he is still acting silly. Then he comes and says: “Don't drive too fast!” Or: “If you catch me, I'll get you back!” (laughs) I don't know if that translates into text, but he says it in such a way. pleasant way that makes you laugh!”
Can we call 2016 the year of the comeback? You have shown great results on the MX2 bike in both Belgium and Germany.
Grobben: “For me, 2016 was indeed a successful year. In the ADAC MX2 I won in Aichwald, I achieved a 3rd and 4th place in a series and came 5de in the championship. I was also able to prove myself well in the VLM with several victories. That was also a nice experience. There are always a lot of fast riders in the VLM and you really shouldn't underestimate guys like Wesley Verheyen. There is certainly a lot of acceleration there!”
Wasn't it a shame to switch to the 450?
Grobben: “Somewhere yes, but in Germany you can only participate in the MX2 Youngster Cup up to 21. That's why I had to switch. The 450 suits me quite well because I ride more at lower revs and because the engine is stronger. That also suits my style better. But last year things went pretty well on the 450. I hope I can continue that trend!”
What does your program look like this year?
Grobben: “My ambitions this year are in the ADAC MX Masters, where it will be my first year in MX1. In Belgium I will participate in some BMB competitions or if I don't have a competition, I will participate in the VLM. Always a great battle there! In Germany I drive for Paul Bagger's private team, with support from, among others, Zupin Motorsport (ed; the German Fly Racing importer). For the Belgian competitions I get help from Dam Racing. And I also have a very good and loyal private sponsor with Volvo Trucks Paesen. Actually, those people have been supporting me for as long as I've been riding!”
What do you want to achieve in Germany?
Grobben: “I don't have a real goal in the ADAC MX Masters. The level is quite high with many strong pilots, many international names and regular GP men who participate. Last year I noticed in the ADAC that I am a good mudcrosser! Furthermore, I am quite complete, I feel comfortable on both hard and sand. I just want to keep achieving good results. Who knows how I can develop further internationally.”
In fact, as an amateur in the Inters you often have to compete against professionals. How does the combination of work/sport work for you?
Grobben: “It's not always easy, but last year it worked out well. Then it should be possible again now! Every day I get up at half past five. Then I work from 5am to 14pm. In the afternoon I have time to do physical training or ride my motorcycle. Those are some pretty tough days. On the other hand, I sleep well after such a day! Since I started working, I have learned to listen to my body better. So that is certainly an advantage.”
Two years ago you had something of a disaster year. You even thought about quitting?
Grobben: “There were several reasons for that. I have always liked riding Yamaha, but it really didn't click with that 2015 bike. I didn't feel good at all on that bike. Mentally I was a bit weak and then you deteriorate more quickly. Then I also participated in the EMX250 in Lommel. Although I had trained very well, nothing worked. I was getting around like a baby and I was very stressed. I was so disappointed with that that I wanted to quit. I just worked from morning to evening for 4 months (ed. Cédric works in his family's transport company) without touching a motorcycle. Actually, I really thought about quitting. Then I got an offer for Sarholz-KTM to then ride ADAC. From then on it started to itch again. So I started training physically again and slowly started riding again.”
Who is the scrubbing van Genk, you or Junior Slegers?
Grobben: “That's me now! Junior officially gave the title to me. That was a really cool photo they took! At that moment I didn't know it was that flat... Until I saw the photo. It also depends on how you drive to the mountain. But exfoliating is trickier than it seems. You have to keep your mind on it because things can quickly go wrong.”
What does your engine setup look like?
Grobben: “I ride a KTM SX-F 450, but actually it remains almost as good as stock. Especially compared to the top players. Of course, that has to do with budget. If you really start tuning seriously, things quickly add up: in terms of maintenance, installing different pistons, and so on. Well, I don't think you should change much on a 450 either. If I can keep the original open in all sprints, I will go far. Especially if you can do that in 35 minutes! My WP Suspension suspension was done by Stop&Go. And I also have a custom exhaust made by Rob Martens.”
Which motorcycle would you like to ride again?
Grobben: “With Tony Cairoli's factory SX-F 450! Tony has always been one of my favorite riders. I think it would also be interesting to compare with his bike from last year. It seems quite a lot has changed. I would also like to test Romain Febvre's Yamaha!”
You can always dream! Thank you for your time Cédric. Another word of thanks?
Grobben: "Don't mention it. First of all, I would like to thank my parents, Wouter from Volvo trucks Paesen, Bo Myrbrink, my mechanic Wilfried who is always there for me, my friends, Paul Bagger and his team, Zupin for my equipment and of course all the supporters.”
Photos: Pietjanssen.nl, BrentMXpics, Zupin Motorsport/ADAC, WoutersLouie photography
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