Interview with Mark Boot
The version of BLØF's radio hit “Zoutelande” with the Flemish singer Geike Arnaert, Mark Boot (26) must sound familiar. It could serve as the soundtrack for this interview because of the Dutch-Belgian combination or because of the beach race of Zoutelande of course!
Mark Boot from Zierikzee is therefore better known in Flanders than in the Netherlands. Even more so, in 2017, the MC Mikkola rider won his first Belgian MX2 title as the crowning achievement of his great career abroad. In addition to leading lady Nancy van de Ven, Boot is one of the figureheads of Zeeland motocross.
However, Mark mainly achieved his achievements in Belgium. For example, he won the Rookie Cup in 2008, became vice-champion in MX2011 after Kevin Fors in 2, won the Inters Open Challenger Trophy in 2012, did the same in the MX2 Challenger Trophy in 2015 and 2016. To top it all off, he himself respected the logic by continually improving in the Belgian MX2 Championship in recent years. Mark finished third in 2015, became vice-champion after Kevin Wouts in 2016 and finally won the main prize last year.
Congratulations, finally a Belgian title! Can we say that?
Mark Boot: “Thanks, actually. I won the Challenger Cup a few years in a row. In my opinion, that is not the Belgian title, so it was a great pleasure for me to become Belgian MX2 champion. Although I must say that it was financially more attractive to win the Challenger Cup! Of course I was a bit lucky that Jago Geerts missed races, also because of the European Championship MX2 of course. Yet I did not receive it as a gift myself. In the middle of the year I injured my elbow, which still bothers me a little now.”
The title certainly did not come without a fight.
Mark Boot: “No, for sure, the first races back I was in a lot of pain on the bike due to that elbow injury. But I knew I had to get points for the championship. You could also see from my driving that things were not going well. It took blood, sweat and tears to the end. I definitely have to thank my friend Valerie because she has always supported and encouraged me. Just like my parents, my sister and my brother-in-law. But MC Mikkola and good friends at the cross also kept influencing me. Mentally it was very difficult at times. It is not easy to keep fighting when you are not riding at your best level.”
In the MX2 you have to compete against the young dogs. Often international riders with ambition that automatically makes things go fast or riders who live as professionals.
Mark Boat: “For me, such a BK is simply the highest achievable. Even if it is my hobby, you still have to work hard to be at the front. Dedicating the necessary effort every week to complete fitness training 2 or 3 times a week is actually the hardest part. Especially because I already have quite a tough job. As a gardener I am outside all day, which is often quite physical. In addition, training is a sacrifice... Every year I just try to find a new challenge. You need such large budgets for international plans, that is simply not possible.”
What is the new challenge for 2018?
Boat: “The new class division makes it possible to start in the MX250 with a 2 two-stroke. That's why I chose to buy a KTM 250SX. Apart from my very short-lived 125cc period, I have always ridden four-strokes! It's been a long time since I rode a two-stroke, but I like it. It is also different to drive, but the financial aspects are also positive. In terms of maintenance, a two-stroke is simply a lot cheaper.”
What is the secret of your good starts?
Boat: “Well, I think it's a good reaction. I also have my year. So I think the engine certainly plays a role as well. This year I had to make do with three engines, one of which was a spare engine. But I couldn't find my way on the 2016 bike, which was actually my best bike. I really didn't like the frame. Then we bought a second-hand 2015 from a hobbyist... For the 2016 that we sold, we got a traded-in 2014. Strangely enough, I actually rode almost the entire BMB season on that 2014 model. That thing had never really had any 'pain' so that made a difference! It was, so to speak, a version of the engine that had not had anything done to it. Yet you see that with such a standard engine, good responsiveness and a suitable gear ratio you can achieve front starts. We kept the HGS exhaust that was on it when we bought it. Nothing else had been done about it. In Kester I took the holeshot in the first moto. When you look at the photos afterwards and see who was standing next to me... Good men with excellent equipment. ”
How long have you been riding for MC Mikkola?
Boat: “It's been a while now! I think from 2011, so this is my eighth season now. Everything is always very well organized and the bond between the riders is excellent. ”
It's nice to see that you also have a real club atmosphere with riders of different levels. Do you also try to pass on your knowledge and experience?
Boat: “I am already open to it, but it also depends on what the drivers themselves want. Every year we did a training internship for which a trainer was asked at the beginning. I have had my KNMV trainer's diploma for a number of years, after which Heikki (ed. Declercq, chairman MC Mikkola) asked me if I would like to teach. That in itself is great, but I don't have to explain to Donny Schmidt, Jochem Walckiers or Roy Silliën how to take a bend! On the contrary, I think Roy can explain to me how to do it, especially on hard surfaces, but also in sand. We have therefore chosen to focus on youth riders. The distribution happens somewhat automatically. I don't speak French so Roy can deal with the French-speaking drivers. And that's how we divide the weekend. Jochem is a gym instructor and he takes care of the warm-up. This way you can see that there is a strong bond in the team to help each other further.”
I heard that you are also training in Zeeland.
Boat: “That's right, I've been working on that for a number of years together with my buddy Frank Rottier. He is also a competition leader at the KNMV and is very committed to the youth. Frank is also chairman of one of the five clubs in Zeeland: Wemeldinge. These training sessions are going well because, for example, in Westdorpe there are 30 or 40 riders who register every time. Now we want to expand it a little further to Belgium. Next week we will have - for the third time now - a training evening in Goes this Saturday. ”
Which match are you most looking forward to?
Boot: “There isn't a competition right away that I really think, this is great, it has to happen here! I used to have that in the sand. Now put me in the Dutch Masters and I will just enter the top 20. Especially in the sand, the level in the Netherlands is simply higher than in Belgium. A Belgian is a bit more all-round, he can drive a bit in the sand, he can drive a bit on the fast track. Now that I'm getting older, I notice that youth is coming. In the beginning it didn't work out so well in Belgium on those hard tracks, but now I enjoy it more and more. Just a bit opposite to the sand. That's fun for fifteen minutes and then I think: what did I like about this so much in the past! I always like Axel. In Belgium they always think it's my home game, but it's still an hour's drive away. I also liked Baisieux, a nice layout there. In addition, Mons is a competition that I like and am looking forward to."
What is your advice to a young guy who wants to make it in cross country?
Boat: “My parents also had to make choices in the past. There were quite a few offers to drive in international private teams. I think it's important to think about some things four times. A lot of teams are really making appearances. They propose that you get a motorcycle and this and that and help. When push comes to shove, you have to pay for your own motorcycle, even though the contract states that it actually belongs to the team at the end of the season. It's not always like that. But to really get there you need a lot of talent. There are only a handful of these in the world. I mean riders who made it without huge investments. A Jeffrey Herlings, a Ken Roczen, a Marvin Musquin. Many other GP riders had to invest heavily themselves at least in the early years. Or you need the luck that your parents have a well-run business and that they are willing to invest. Or you have to work so hard that you deserve to be there. In the KNMV I rode together with Glenn Coldenhoff as a youth. Things weren't easy at Glenn's house either. But Glenn has so much perseverance and is such a hard worker that he has now joined Red Bull-KTM. He has continued to push and evolve from one team to another. Few people are given that. If you have talent, you will surely find your way. Otherwise you better work really hard, and you need a bit of luck. After all, the doors still have to open. For a team, someone who brings in money is always more attractive than someone without money and then hoping that something will work out. That means a lot of sacrifices. Going out every now and then or drinking beer... You won't make it that way. I think most youth riders realize that now.”
Good luck this season and enjoy the birth of your daughter later.
Boat: “Thanks, we will definitely do that!”
Photos: Plan-B, Kristie Pixxs, Regis Yves Creart, Nico Martin, John Oostvogels, Henk van De Haar
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