What are you doing? Manuel Priem
In the #Watdoejijnou section, MXMag looks at what former top crossers are doing today. Their family life and their current work. How do they look back on their career, the highs and lows. This month former Kawasaki, TM as Aprilia factory rider, the always friendly Manuel Priem!
MXMag: Briefly introduce yourself:
MP: “Manuel Priem, I am now 36 years old and live in Lichtervelde Belgium. Married to Eveline Schamp and have two children; Seth (8) and Tarah (6).”
MXMag: What do you do for a daily living these days?
MP: “I took over my father's business, a construction company. I am a manager and we work with six people. We do new-build homes and renovations.”
MXMag: How do you look back on your motocross career?
MP: “I am very happy that I was able to turn my hobby into my profession. I have experienced many wonderful moments during my ten years of professional career. I've been to many places I wouldn't otherwise go. During that period I worked with many different people. It was a wonderful time!”
MXMag: The highlight of your career?
MP: “Eighth place in the world championship and fourth place during the Portuguese GP. Another great moment was when I took the lead in Lierop! When you jump out of the forest and all those people shout ahead of you. Goosebumps moment!”
MXMag: The low point of your career?
MP: “The back injury I suffered in Sevlievo during the 2010 Bulgarian GP. That translated into disappointing results and therefore no seat for 2011 in a team where I received a salary. GP career over and out!”
MXMag: Best bike ever ridden?
MP: “Favorite bike and best team were Aprilia! No team I have driven for has been this professional. You noticed that they came from the road race. I also really enjoyed riding the Aprilia two-cylinder and thought it was great that I was able to achieve results with it that I could not achieve in previous years. But we worked very hard to get to the start with a good bike! Team manager, Luca Palletti was a very motivated and skilled man on a technical level.”
MXMag: What is your view on the current motocross world?
MP: “Yes, there is the fat from the soup! I think that in 2010 I just experienced the last year where we were able to earn a living up to 15th place. But when you now see that the top ten pilots of the MXGP class have to buy in themselves... That is no longer normal! They have to train so much for it, give up so much and it is not a sport without risks. The fact that you are standing at the starting gate for nothing because you want to race is too ridiculous for words! But unfortunately the teams and pilots cannot start against the big circus of Luongo because then he will take sanctions to ban the pilots or teams from the GPs. I am therefore very grateful to the teams and many sponsors for allowing me to experience this wonderful time. Because if, after 10 years of luxury living, which is in a certain sense a top sports existence, you have to take your fridge box again to work 12 hours a day, this is quite disappointing! I had a hard time with that, especially during the first few months.”
Door: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photos: Archive
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