Five minutes with Greg Smets
Next weekend, Greg Smets will start his very first major international championship with the EMX300 in Germany. Although Motocross remains mainly about having fun for Greg, this promises to be an exciting moment for the Smets family. That's why we asked Greg about the expectations and ambitions at the Smets house, and asked Greg a few questions.
How do you feel just before the start of the EMX300 in Germany?
Greg Smets: “Of course I feel a bit of healthy stress, but I think that's normal. In any case, I'm really looking forward to starting next weekend.”
How did your preparation go for this competition?
Smets: “I actually just continued to train as I did before. So I didn't train harder physically. However, I did go to a number of harder tracks with the bike, to prepare myself for the surface that we will have under our wheels in Germany.”
How is riding the two-stroke compared to the 4-stroke machine?
Smets: “Last year was my first year riding a 450 four-stroke machine, and it was a big adjustment for me at first, but as the season progressed I started to feel better and better on this bike. After some discussion with my father (ed. five-time motocross world champion Joël Smets) we finally decided to ride the 250 two-stroke machine for this season, and this also initially required a small adjustment period. Also because I had never ridden a two-stroke machine before, but I am currently quite satisfied with how riding the two-stroke engine is going. I feel quite good on this bike, and ultimately both the two- and four-stroke motors have their pros and cons.”
What has changed on the engine compared to a standard 250cc twotact?
Smets: “We have made a 250cc machine together with Ronny van Hove, with whom we work together to tune the 300cc engine, and it also has a different exhaust. But to be honest, I don't really know much about the technical story. (laughs)”
In the competitions you rode in the run-up to the EMX300, did you experience much disadvantage with your 250cc two-stroke compared to the 450cc 4-stroke machines? And do you think that the 250 two-stroke indeed belongs more in the MX2 class than in the MX1 class?
Smets: “I don't think it's an extremely big disadvantage. If you feel good on a motorcycle, it is also possible to get good results with it against a 450cc four-stroke. There are many pilots who ride extremely fast on a 250cc four-stroke, and even pilots on a 450cc four-stroke have to acknowledge their superiority. In regular competitions outside the European Championship, the 250cc two-stroke machine is classified as an MX1 machine. So this doesn't really matter that much to me.”
Where did you choose for the EMX 300 Championship?
Smets: “I only rode a 250cc four-stroke for one year and then immediately switched to a 450cc four-stroke. So riding a 250cc four-stroke again would have required a major adjustment.”
What are your expectations for the match in Germany? And for the continuation of the EMX300 championship?
Smets: “I don't really have great expectations. I just want to try to do two good heats and arrive safely. We will see what the result is. Furthermore, I just hope to be able to complete all matches without mechanical problems and to get through the season without injuries.”
Do you hope that your participation in the EMX300 can be a stepping stone to a possible international career?
Smets: “This is not exactly my end goal. I mainly participate in this championship because it is a great opportunity to be able to start during competitions where a GP is also being held at that moment.”
Text and photos: Dieter Jans
Archive image Everts and Friends: MXphotos.be
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