Interview: Man from the beach Axel van de Sande
Axel van de Sande is one of Belgium's fastest beach racers and is currently in the lead in the French beach racing championship. Reason enough to pay Axel a visit for a nice chat.
Axel Since the reintroduction of the Red Bull knockout, we can say that beach racing has gained in popularity, but what do you notice about that?
Axel van de Sande: “Yes, thanks to the Red Bull knockout, we receive more attention here in Belgium and the Netherlands than we receive, for example, for other French beach races. Usually we are hardly talked about, and thanks to this competition we are also getting a bit of attention here.”
Not so long ago you managed to win this competition yourself, what can you say that has really changed for you personally since all the time in between?
Axel: “For me personally, not much has changed after winning this competition. I only gained one extra sponsor. This is also because the matches in France are separate from the Red Bull Knockout, so little importance is attached to this match in France. Although I have already managed to achieve some great performances in France, which have also generated some fame.”
You also switched from Yamaha to Kawasaki for this season, how did this switch go for you?
Axel: "Good! It is of course a new challenge for me, but so far I am very satisfied that I have taken this step. I now also receive the necessary support from Kawasaki, and I am particularly pleased with the handling of the motorcycle. We still do a lot ourselves, but it does help to be part of a team. For example, we also started testing together as a team, and I have Kawasaki mechanics to help me at competitions. During my Yamaha period this was all a bit more limited, so in itself this switch to Kawasaki is certainly a step forward.”
So you are also part of Livia Lancelot's Team One One team this season, how do you like it within that team?
Axel: “Actually, it is mainly my father who has contact with them. This usually involves arranging the parts that we need here. Furthermore, I don't really have much contact with the team, except of course with the person from Kawasaki France who prepares my bikes. I actually have more contact with Kawasaki itself regarding the development of the engines. So I certainly won't be bashing the team. Also because their workshop is located all the way in the south of France on the Spanish border, but we are always more than welcome there.”
Would you consider training/living in those areas yourself someday?
Axel: “For the time being, I don't really see that as a hobby, because beach racing is currently just a hobby for me. So that is certainly not an issue for the time being, although it would of course be nice if I could train there more often. The weather is also often better there, so that is always a bonus (laughs).”
Do you actually think you can ever start beach racing professionally full-time?
Axel: “I honestly don't think so. Nowadays there is much less everywhere when it comes to sponsorship. I therefore think that it is currently no longer possible to become a fully professional beach racer.”
Livia herself will enter the World Cup with Honda next MX season as team manager. What does this actually mean for you and your place within the team?
Axel: “This news came as a bit of a surprise to me, but Kawasaki will continue this project without Livia. No one else will be recruited to act as an intermediary between me and Kawasaki France. In the future, we will no longer have to arrange everything via the team, but directly with Kawasaki France. So in itself, not much has changed for me.”
How is your first season with Kawasaki going at the moment?
Axel:”I've actually had a pretty difficult season so far. I managed to finish second in the first race of the season, but during the second race I had to deal with technical problems with my engine and suspension. I then managed to reach the finish in fifth place. But luck wasn't entirely on my side in the subsequent matches either. For example, I had previously undergone surgery on my arm for the two subsequent competitions, which meant I had to endure extra hardship during these two competitions. The wires from the operation had only just been removed, which still caused some discomfort on the motorcycle. I then managed to get an eighth and third place, which allowed me to retain the lead in the championship. So in itself I can still be satisfied with that.”
How did you actually get into beach racing?
Axel: “When I was younger I first rode the European Championship, ADAC and Belgian Championship, but it soon became clear to me that the European Championship was just a step too high. I was only just able to qualify, especially on the hard surfaces I often had a hard time. I was already doing better in the sand, and since I have been working with the same trainer as Adrien van Beveren for my entire career, they advised me to try a beach cross. From then on I mainly focused on that. Ultimately, I am very satisfied that I took that step.”
What exactly makes beach racing so attractive to you?
Axel: “I really enjoy riding in the sand anyway. I also like the fact that you have to make fuel stops and the like. Moreover, the atmosphere appeals to me enormously, because it is very different compared to a normal motocross race. The pressure is also much less for me. During the period when I was still racing at the European Championships, we traveled to all corners of Europe. There I always felt the pressure to at least qualify. Now it is really just a hobby, and I just try to make the best of it every weekend.”
So, for example, we will never see you at the start of a GP?
Axel: “Maybe it will happen again someday, because we might like to drive to Lommel again. Although that has not yet been determined, but never say never.”
What qualities do you think a good beach racer should have?
Axel: “Your fitness is especially important. The races are also much longer than regular motocross races, so you need to have good endurance. It is also important that you have a good team behind you, so that the pit stop and the like can run smoothly. There is a lot involved, because at every match I need about 5 people to help me. And of course being able to drive well in the sand is also an advantage (laughs).”
What are the major differences between your racing motorcycle and a regular dirt bike?
Axel: “A regular 450cc machine is strong enough, although it must of course run smoothly. The gearbox is modified with longer gears to generate a higher top speed. We also drive with a longer swingarm so that the engine responds more quietly to deep potholes. Other than that, we just have a larger gas tank. Other than that, not much has actually been changed on the engine. Our blocks are still being tuned a bit, but in a very safe way. After all, the intention is to reach the finish after 3 hours, so we are a bit careful with that.”
Do you ever see yourself moving to other branches of this sport such as enduro or rally driving?
Axel: “I would possibly like to do that, but that is also extremely expensive. E.g. Rallying simply costs a lot of money, and when I hear the stories from Adrien (Van Beveren), there are many additional risks involved. If I ever get those offers I might take them up on them, but for the moment I just feel good about what I do.”
Finally, what can we wish you for this year?
Axel: “I hope I can win Le Touquet this year! That is simply the most important competition of the year, so if I could win that in front of almost 400.000 spectators, that would be very nice!”
Text and photos: Dieter Jans
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