Opinion: Does it really have to be destroyed now?
“Do I really have to break it now?” it was something father shouted at us when my brother and I were a little too enthusiastic with our toys. Or if we were simulating some endurance race on our race track until the smoke came out of the small electric cars. If his first warning had not been received immediately, we heard an even more forceful “Do things really have to go to hell now?”
This statement spontaneously came to mind when the FMB-BMB announced about three weeks before the date that their first “Belgian Master of Motocross” in Nismes would not take place. Postponed, that's what it was called, moved to Baisieux as it turns out. And oh Kester, which was originally part of the two-race “BMoMX” is no longer participating in this championship. The gentlemen there saw the dark 'Belgian Masters of Motocross' mood already hanging in March and decided to get their money's worth. The competition has now been renamed the Championship of Flanders, where everyone can collect points for the Belgian championship. Can you still follow?!
Who else can follow?
This year we have already received a few questions from motocross fans who no longer understand. Because what is the Belgian championship? Now that is the former JRT (Joel Robert Trofee), a name that disappeared a few years ago for the “Belgian Nationals”. Now these Belgian Nationals have been renamed the “Belgian Championship”. In other words, the current Belgian Championship of the BMB-FMB is the good old “Joel Robert Trophy” enhanced with competitions such as Moerbeke, Mons (Bergen), Kester, Orp-Le-Grand, ... Competitions that still include some Belgian top players. the hands stop to take part but who have neither the desire nor the patience to get involved in the “Belgian Masters of Motocross” story. A story that at the time of this writing is on very unstable organizational legs.
What's wrong with the “Belgian Masters of Motocross” story?
We recently saw a change of power at our National Federation. It immediately became clear that a unique opportunity presented itself, because with Oliver Rougraff a motocross-loving chairman has emerged. A man who is partly responsible for the “Coupe de l'Avenir. Also a man who knows that Belgian motocross is sick and that something has to be done and something still needs to be done.
A master plan was written, one that was criticized. Criticism is common with changes and therefore not immediately surprising. Some criticism was justified, by the way. For example, the idea was not to have European and World Championship pilots qualify on Saturday for the competition on Sunday. It may look nice on paper, but it is not practical in practice. Organizing clubs are already having difficulty keeping themselves financially above water, a second match day is an extra cost and is therefore in principle out of the question.
There was also the rule that only Belgians could claim the Belgian title, flashback to the time of Billy Liles...
These changes made certain organizers decide to jump off the “BMofMX” boat. For others, the abolition of entry fees and betting on prize money made people sweat a lot. A prize pool is also a fixed amount, which means that clubs (organizers) are immediately forced to spend that amount.
Clubs have an eternal fear that pilots will not show up if they are not paid a starting fee. The clubs also feel that change is necessary due to the fact that pilots are paid above their value. Because what is the commercial value of a pilot who only attracts motocross people to the course? What is a name worth if it cannot convince even a Belgian MotoGP or Rally enthusiast to come along. However, out of fear, many cling to what they have now. They tie their crumbling empire together with their plastic barrier ribbons.
The fact that motocross is extremely sick is evident from the fact that an organizer such as AMC Wuustwezel, a club with tradition, enthusiasm and a course, threw in the towel this year. The alarm bell is ringing deafeningly.
Stay tuned as we are working on other fun pieces. Post your opinion in advance. Keep it respectful.
Text: Matthias Van Eeckhoven
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