Column: Wannes Van De Voorde
We had to make do without it for a while... But now Wannes Van De Voorde's column is back. In the meantime, the fourth column of our young 125cc promise. And again definitely worth it!!
Hey hey everyone. This is already my fourth column and I have a lot to tell you again 😊.
The curtain has fallen on the cross season...always a sad moment... I was able to end the season in a beautiful way with the title of Belgian Champion 2017 BMB Beloften, a win in the Holeshot Cup 125cc and a second place in the Cup 125cc behind me buddy Killigan Delroeux.
As the icing on the cake, Robert Gielis and Magda once again gave me the opportunity to participate in the Coupe de l'Avenir. I then had to make the choice to either participate in the last final match of the Belgian Championship or participate in the Coupe. Both competitions took place on the same weekend and participation in both was not allowed. For me that choice was quickly made. Even though I still had a small chance of winning the Cup 125cc title, for me a 3de consecutive participation in the Coupe de l'Avenir a bigger and more beautiful challenge.
But then disaster struck again and I injured my knee during training 14 days before the Coupe. Holy shit...it wouldn't be true for sure... An injury is never convenient, but why now? The next few days involved driving back and forth to the emergency room, orthopedics, physiotherapists, etc. After various treatments and the necessary rest, I was able to calmly resume motorcycle training after 10 days. (Thanks to Dr. Peersman, physiotherapist Dirx from Lommel and everyone else who helped me a lot).
At the Coupe itself I was allowed to represent the Belgian Team in the Open Cup together with Jago Geerts and Tim Louis. Due to my injury I had not been able to prepare 100% and in the end this turned out to be mainly a mental problem for me. I didn't find my confidence and didn't find the right rhythm or good lines. Afterwards I was extremely disappointed in my personal contribution to the team. Thanks to the great performances of Jago and Tim, we were still able to finish with a 5de place. It was another wonderful experience that I was able to experience as a “Belgian Knight” on the beautiful Baisieux circuit. Our Belgian Junior Knights 85cc with my buddy Avo Tack, Yoran Moens and Robbe Daniels also achieved a 5de place. And our youngest 65cc pilots with Troy Verburgh, Sacha and Lucas Coenen achieved a great victory. In the Super Trophy we achieved a nice 3de place. Like every year, it was a top organization. It's a shame that there were so few people present.
On Saturday there was a nice ending with the celebration of the BMB championship titles, where my comrade Thomas Delvoy also unexpectedly but deservedly became Champion and who guided me excellently on Sunday by taping and encouraging me... thanks buddy!!
Now that this is all over, it's time to prepare for the next season. This week I will first have surgery to remove the plates from both my collarbones. Then a few weeks of rest to let everything recover. Afterwards we start the winter training full throttle... both physically and on the bike as long as the great Belgian weather allows this...
In the meantime, we are also organizing our second dining day and of course we hope to equal or improve on last year's success... so here you go guys... everyone is welcome... you can register via eetdagwannes.webnode.be. My birthday is also coming up...finally 15 years...finally I can go to the gym alone 😊😊
A number of new challenges await me for the next season. Over the past 2 years I have been able to ride for Patrick Verheye's Photos Bertje & Co Mx team, but next year I will be able to represent a different team. I would like to thank Patrick, Greet and Bertje for the wonderful collaboration. More news about the new team will follow in my next column 😊.
The preliminary plans for next year are to participate in the entire European Championship program and beyond that with KNMV and BMB. We will still have to work hard on physical, speed and time training, but I am incredibly looking forward to it.
Of course I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all my sponsors, friends, family, trainers, etc... for all the support over the past season. I will do that later in more detail in a personal way. I am especially looking forward to the next season and hope that everyone will continue to believe in me and support me in my next adventure.
Salutes everyone…. see you next year….. The Wanny 😊
Photos: Nancy Van De Kerkhof
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