Interview with VLM celebrity Kristof Salaets
It's always nice when there are ten possible winners and that was exactly what made the Inters category at the VLM so fascinating this year. In Retie, veteran Kristof Salaets provided the surprise with a final victory for Jens Van Meer. The reactions also made it clear that the MX Topshop rider is still a welcome guest on the circuits. Salaets will remain active as Inter with the VLM next year. Plenty of reasons for MXMag to chat with the flying facteur.
Kristof's victory was not missed by Rockstar Energy Husqvarna's MXGP manager Antti Pyrhonen, "Well done man," he said, shaking Salaets' hand, "good to see you, take care." The busy Finn did not have time for more small talk during a GP weekend, but it does illustrate the respect that Salaets enjoys. This way it is of course nice to walk through the MXGP paddock on a free VLM weekend. Many people recognized him in the Lommel paddock, which is not illogical after he rode internationally for most of his career. The highlight of Salaets' career was his 4de place in the final standings of the MX3 World Championship in 2007, in which he competed against Pyrhonen, among others. Now Stopsel only rides for fun and he is not thinking about quitting for the time being! Flash forward from summer in Lommel to a winter evening in December.
Cross-country skiing is sometimes tough, but it's probably not easy to post on snowy days!
Kristof Salaets:"That's right! Last week I gave up, even though I now travel with an electric moped. It's a trike actually :)”
Does it help to have off-road experience?
Salaets:“(laughs) Yes, yes, my MX technique came in handy!”
For someone who has ridden GPs, is the championship an afterthought if you ride for fun?
Salaets:“Not at all, the championship was indeed a goal. It's a pity that I wasn't able to get more out of it this year, but considering the circumstances, third place was certainly not bad. Next year I will continue to ride Kawasaki for MX Topshop, again in FXR equipment, by the way, and then I will fight for the top 3 again!”
It took a while to get going?
Salaets:“The first crosses at the beginning of the season in the sand were okay, but then followed a period of circuits where I found it more difficult. Then fortunately I recovered in the middle of the season.”
Did that victory in Retie come as a surprise?
Salaets:“We got a job in Retie that I really liked, and of course things went more smoothly. Driving circuits, with flowing curves - even a track like in Lommel - that suits me better than that short work. (grins) Constantly twisting and turning is too compact, I think I'm too old for that! I also don't like the very fast circuits. That's not really my thing anymore.”
At the end of the season you were in trouble with a thumb injury.
Salaets:“I suffered a serious sprain during a fall in Koningshooikt, which actually bothered me for a long time. I gave up the last matches because it was difficult to keep up a full series. Fortunately it's okay now. Without surgery, but after an injection.”
Compare the top players in the VLM?
Salaets:“Gosh, the cool thing about the VLM this year was the level of the Inters in general. A lot of guys could win, so you really had to fight to be at the front. In the beginning of it This season there were ten different men who rode for the victory. At amateur level this is a high standard. Only Ken De Dycker at the start of the season and Cédric Grobben stood out.”
And Janssens who then took the title!
Salaets: “At the beginning of the season I certainly didn't expect that from Kenny. But as the season progressed, he got stronger and stronger. He rode excellently, especially in the final phase. Congratulations for what he has shown.”
Compare Kenny Janssens with Jens Van Meer and Wouter Van Massenhoven?
Salaets: “Jens is a slightly different type, very fast and a bit more explosive, but he also dares to make a mistake sometimes. Young violence eh! Wouter didn't start well. He started quietly but then he got through it. It's a shame about his injury because he was riding really well at that moment. Wouter also started winning his matches.
Your cousin, Jonas Salaets, also has a good level, do you still hang out together often?
Salaets: “We don't train together much. He has to work more and so do I. In the past, we regularly trained together with the motorcycle. Jonas is certainly fast, but he sometimes dares to make a mistake. What do you want, that's young! He is now 22. Just like Jens Van Meer, a bit. Fast pilots who sometimes dare to go over the limit. A bit too intense, isn't it!”
Are there any younger riders at VLM that you have noticed?
Salaets:“To be honest, I don't have the time to really pay much attention to other categories. Greg Smets is still very erratic, sometimes he goes fast and then a little less. But in any case, I think it's great that he also goes elsewhere to learn, such as the EMX300 or the Dutch Masters. You have to at least try to make progress.”
You come from a strong generation that started racing internationally at the same time.
Salaets:>“You can certainly say that: Steve Seronval, Jurgen Wybo, Marvin Van Daele, Manuel Priem, of course Kevin Strijbos, Ken De Dycker… All men with a lot of talent. But at the top level everything has to be right.”
What does your training look like these days?
Salaets: “Once a week I try to ride the motorcycle normally, in addition to my physical training. Actually, that's always with the mountain bike because I'm too worn out to walk anymore! I also do swimming. Just like last year, I complete the group training sessions led by Ricky Nijs, at Rocky's in Begijnendijk. It's nice to push each other in that way.”
Do you feel now that the years are starting to weigh you down?
Salaets: "Unfortunately yes! Lying still is fatal, then I have to work way too hard to reach my level again. I can say that the years of motocross also make themselves felt. Like my hip that has suffered considerably.
What do you think of the 2018 VLM calendar?
Salaets:“In any case, it is a well-filled calendar. I hope they all continue, but I still have some doubts about some matches. There are also a few new competitions, which is also interesting! Which matches am I looking forward to? Well, that depends a bit on where we are going to compete in the championship races! Like I said: the fast tracks are less in my favor 😉
We have been invited Kristof, do you have anything to add?
Salaets: “I would like to thank everyone who helps me. MX Topshop of course, Windows and doors Gerry De Haes, all other sponsors and my family.”
Thanks Kristof!
Salaets:"Don't mention it."
Photos: MotoX Pics John Oostvogels
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