Column MXGP Rookie Wannes van de Voorde
Hello everyone, here I am again for my second column. The reactions from all of you to my column were great and enthusiastic. Immediately an additional motivation to continue this!
I even received a phone call from the Dutch national coach Marcel Hartman, my coach in the MXGP Rookies project. He congratulated me on the column and my good performances over the past few weeks, really great of him! A lot has happened since our last meeting. I now have the 2de and 3rd BMB competition in Lommel and Mons. In both competitions I achieved the final victory in the Beloften 125cc. As a result, I am currently in the lead in the Championship, but there are still many competitions ahead so we should not celebrate too early.
In Lommel we received a visit from Robin Vermeiren, manager of our main sponsor denicol and of course it's always nice if you can deliver a great performance! In Mons I suffered enormously from “arm pump” during the first series. This is a new phenomenon for me since I started riding the 125cc. Inflated arms is something that many riders suffer from and a phenomenon that sometimes really hinders them from riding a good race. So anyone who has a golden tip to prevent this... let me know!
In BMB 125cc Cup This year I am riding as a Rookie at the Beloftes together with the Nationals and it is a nice field of participants where I can compete with, among others. Romain Delbrasinne, Emilio Vannieuwenhuyze, Killigan Delroeux, etc… It is of course always much more fun if you have to fight for your place and then you succeed without winning the match “with your finger up your nose” because you don't learn much from that. That's why I always try to look for competitions where there is some competition and I can learn something, such as during the ONK in the Netherlands.
My regular trainer Jurgen Van Bellingen is usually present at the BMB competitions and that always gives me a little more confidence and support. He always manages to encourage me in a positive way when I "let my head down". During the Easter holidays I was finally able to indulge myself again with a two-day internship with BMB and MSF in Rozoy in France in the first week. That was an internship with the Belgian Junior Knights that we were led by Yves Devlaminck en Thierry Klutz were given the opportunity to train again and learn new things. I am happy that I can once again be part of this selection of Belgian pilots, which also includes pilots such as: Iago Geerts en Liam Evert be part of.
Now that I ride the 125cc, I can also ride with the group of the “big men”… Cool! Also, among other things Pierre Schroyen en Harry Everts were present there. It's always nice to get tips and tricks from those “old hands” (with all due respect!). I am always open to positive and constructive criticism. The second week there was a three-day internship in Ribécourt MX Academy with my regular trainer Jurgen Van Bellingen. This time Jurgen received assistance from Nick Trieste, “a great pee” who also helped me with my collarbone fractures and with whom I click. Unfortunately, I suffered from a bad cold for the first two days and was not feeling well. Of course that also had an effect on my riding, but on the third day things went a bit better and I found my spirit again.
On such internships it is of course primarily about learning something, but also just about having fun with friends, the pleasure of driving, playing, teasing, laughing and challenging... I love it! I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who help us on such internships when we have problems with the engine when I am alone on an internship with our mother, such as these two internships.
There is always someone ready to help us out, which is really nice... I am slowly trying to focus more and more on the engine myself. I learn something every time, but I can't do everything myself yet. Our mom always says with a laugh that when people see us arriving at such an internship with just the two of us, they think "Oh no, Wanny is alone here with his mother... That will require tinkering again for us.” But that's also the great thing about the MX, it's one big family. At least at this level anyway.
On Easter Monday I had the 4de BMB competition in Axel where I got a 4de was able to achieve a consecutive final victory and consolidate my leading position in the U23 championship. Then this weekend the real work followed: my first participation in a European Championship competition in the EMX125 in Valkenswaard. I knew in advance that it would be difficult to qualify, but he who doesn't dare doesn't win!
On Saturday I got up a bit nervous and had to start the time training for qualification with group 1 at 8 am... I gave it my all and was still disappointed with only a 35th came off the course. The only bright spot was that I was still able to participate in the Last Chance race. In the afternoon we had another interview with the MXGP Rookies in the press room. The other Rookies were all able to qualify directly, so I felt a bit uncomfortable, but of course I was super happy for them.
The Last Chance race started at 13 p.m. and for the first time I had to start at the starting gate with a plate at the back. At 35th I couldn't really get into a good position and didn't get off to a good start. I finished with a 28e place. It was a great experience to participate for the first time in a GP race with a large audience, the top European riders, the overall atmosphere there. Really delicious!
And I personally think the Valkenswaard circuit is a really cool course to ride on. In Valkenswaard I was able to compete with the best European 125cc riders of the moment. This makes me realize very well that there is still a lot of work to be done. But it motivates me even more to go for it and work hard. I also have to give myself time to grow because I'm only 14 years old. This makes me one of the youngest participants. I will certainly not be discouraged from taking my chances at some European Championship competitions this year. Driving at the highest level is in itself the best education and training.
Until the next!
#65 Bathtubs
Photos: Photos Bertje, MXGP, Nancy van de Voorde
Also to read
MXMag went to see the Free Energy Trailer in Olmen
The automotive sector is leading the way in vehicle electrification, and now the motorcycle industry is taking a similar step. However, developing a machine intended for competition use is a completely different matter…Robert Fobbe at the start in the USA!
Robert Fobbe will be in action for the first two (2) races of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship! The 23-year-old rider will…Ian Ampoorter makes his return to Portugal
After a lot of injuries, Ian Ampoorter will appear behind the starting gate next weekend. The GasGas rider travels to Agueda in good spirits for the third race of the European Championship…Australia returns to the MXGP calendar!
From 2025, Australia will be back on the FIM MXGP-MX2 World Championship calendar. After 24 years, another Grand Prix 'down-under' will be held and this will happen...
Your reactions