Five minutes with Kenny Vandueren
Next weekend Kenny Vandueren will be at the start of the third round of the EMX300 championship in Ottobiano. Despite a disrupted preparation in the run-up to this season, Kenny is currently in a nice third place in the standings, just 21 points behind leader Brad Anderson. A very impressive achievement for someone who a few months ago still had difficulty moving his arm, and that is precisely why it was high time to have a chat with him.
-You have been out of action for a long time due to an injury, how did your rehabilitation go and how does it feel to be able to compete at level again?
On September 11, I had a serious fall during the last VLM cross of the season, resulting in my shoulder being dislocated and a nerve injury. Two months later, despite physiotherapy, I was still unable to use my arm, and after further examination it turned out that I had a nerve injury that was no longer active because it had been pinched for more than two hours. I then became seriously concerned that my arm would be paralyzed for another three months, and that the nerve would then become active again and repair itself. However, no one could tell me exactly how long this rehabilitation would take, so I already saw 2017 pass me by. I could not and did not want to accept this and that is why I started my rehabilitation with Lieve Maerschalck. From then on I started training like crazy every day. This was a very painful period for me, both physically and mentally, but when I was finally allowed to resume training with the motorcycle at the end of February, it was an incredibly good feeling! The doctors themselves could hardly believe that I was already able to do this again. I then immediately left for Italy at the beginning of March to prepare for the new season. I am therefore extremely grateful to Dirk from DAM Racing for continuing to believe in me despite everything and for giving me this opportunity to compete in the EMX300 again.
-Are your performances now above the expectations you had for the season?
Yes, it was not my immediate intention to actually compete for the title. I also only had two races in my legs before I left for Teutschenthal. Also because I didn't want to push myself after 8 months of inactivity, and to make sure that I was physically fit to participate in Teutschenthal. My goal was simply to finish those two heats, but I managed to finish in fourth place in both heats. Something I didn't expect at all, because I wasn't XNUMX percent fit at the time. Hopefully I can continue this trend for the rest of the season.
-You are now also working on one of your better campaigns so far in the EMX300, how do you explain this after being silent for so long?
When this championship started in 2014, I was already there, but I ended up with one injury after another. I had to start from scratch again and again and then you can never perform one hundred percent. I now hope to be able to continue to grow and remain injury free, but the risks are often just around the corner. I am now in a good third place in the European Championship, but my goal remains to be able to finish every race and mainly have fun and enjoy myself. For the rest, see where the ship beached itself.
You also say it's more for fun now. Could that perhaps also be a reason why things are going so well now because you now put less stress on yourself to perform?
Yes anyway! I've been working full-time for just over four years now, and motocross has really become an outlet. Of course I still do a lot for it, but in the past it was a bit more of a chore. Now of course you still have to, because otherwise you won't get to compete in the European Championship. But my priority now is more to just enjoy every moment.
Where did you actually choose the EMX300?
During the 2013 season I rode in the MX1 class my last year in the GPs. I then had a serious fall in Sweden, resulting in three brain hemorrhages. The doctors didn't give me a chance to ever get back on the bike, but I managed to get back on track. Although I really got through the eye of the needle, which is why I ultimately decided to take a step back and only compete in the competitions in Belgium together with the EMX300.
-Do you have any further ambitions at an international level?
I think every young person dreams of being able to ride GPs, but I rode it once and I was just not strong and fast enough for it at the time. I don't know if I would still be able to live for it as I did back then, but who knows, if I perform well this season, something worse might happen. Although I don't think that is realistic, and I am now just focusing one hundred percent on the EMX300 and otherwise I am not too concerned with what the future may bring.
-You have often had to deal with injuries during your career, do you think you could have had a different career without all these injuries?
Yes anyway, because I have always been unlucky enough to get the wrong injuries at the wrong times. For example, in 2010 I was in the lead in the European MX2 Championship until I dislocated my shoulder in a heavy crash in France. These are one of those downsides in your career that keep setting you back, so I was never really able to break through properly. So I am convinced that I could have continued without all this injury.
-Did you ever doubt whether to continue with the sport during that period?
No, not really, I have been through so much in terms of injuries and you accept your injuries differently. It is of course not fun to suffer a serious injury again and again, but there has never been any fear. As you get older, you think about things a little more than you used to, but an injury is always around the corner in this sport.
-Did your podium in Russia therefore feel a bit like a victory over yourself?
My podium finish in Russia was simply amazing! Especially when you look at how hard I worked to be able to come back again, and to be able to crown that with a podium place is really great. I would never have been able to do this without my parents and my mechanic Léon, whom I would therefore like to thank very much for everything they have done for me.
-You also graduated as a sports nutrition advisor a while ago. Do you have any further plans for this?
I haven't really announced that yet, but a while ago Glenn Bielen asked me if I wouldn't like to help him a little with training and the like. I have worked with a number of pilots in the past, and it gives me enormous satisfaction when I can pass on my experience to others. Especially when you see that it actually makes them better. So it is indeed my goal to guide young riders in the future. Also because it is so difficult, because the parents are not always informed about what is going on in the cross and what you have to do to perform. But at the moment I am still mainly concerned with myself, so it remains to be seen whether I will actually focus on this one hundred percent.
Finally, what can we wish for you for the future?
Have fun and may I remain injury free. If I can just complete a regular season I will be the happiest boy alive!
I would also like to thank the people who still support me! My parents & girlfriend, mechanic Leon, Damracing, Garage Liekens, denicol, stop&Go, tires Michel, Prik&tik, cars Martin, Dewilg, Haes racing, Dt1, Acerbis, Oben and car dealer Geerts,
Text and Photos: Dieter Jans
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