The flying start of Raivo Dankers!
The 2018 season has been exciting for Raivo Dankers. After stopping HSF Logistics Motorsport, his family decided to set up their own team. In any case, the 16-year-old driver from Heesch got off to a strong start. In Gemert he came second after Raf Meuwissen, but in Boekel Dankers took the full prize with two series victories. That promises for the first round of the Dutch Masters of Motocross in Markelo next weekend and the opening race of the EMX125 in Valkenswaard!
Raivo was introduced to motocross at an early age. He was barely 10 days old when he attended his first match. Dankers himself turned out to be one of the most promising Dutch riders of his generation. Raivo's track record includes two European titles (65cc and 85cc), and in 2015 he even won the 85cc world title. After a disappointing 2017, Dankers is keen to show what he has to offer this year.
Congratulations on a great start to the season!
Raivo Dankers: "Thank you. Things went well in both Gemert and Boekel. In the second heat in Gemert I made some mistakes and had a bad start. I managed to win the second competition in Boekel. I expect more international competition for the Dutch Masters of Motocross in Markelo. So I will certainly have to do my best, but I am going for a top 3.”
In Gemert you almost rode an ice speedway, the track was so hard and slippery.
Thankers: “The surface was still very frozen, but the conditions are the same for everyone. You just have to be prepared for everything, including something like this.”
After several years at HSF Logistics Motorsport - one of the best European private teams - you had to look for a different solution. How did that go?
Thankers:“I actually didn't know until quite late that my previous team would quit. As a result, we didn't have a lot of time to arrange everything for Team RD10 ourselves. There's a lot involved anyway! I stayed with KTM, but we switched to another tuner. Furthermore, some smaller things such as a different handlebar from Neken, a different look too. However, we have certainly not changed everything. On the contrary, much remained exactly the same. Because I'm the only driver, we don't have to not to take anyone else into account. It gives me a good feeling that everything is focused on me.”
You have had a difficult 2017, especially in the EMX125.
Thankers: “That's right, the national competitions went well, but the European Championship competitions did not go as expected. Ottobiano was okay. However, too often something happened in the first rounds. That's why I came then outside the points and chasing the facts. It was already like that in Valkenswaard. Still, the first match was also good. That's why I'm now making sure that things don't turn out that way again.”
What are you aiming for this season in the EMX125?
Dankers: “My goal is to finish in the top 5 in the final standings. Of course I'm even more looking forward to sand courses such as Lommel and Assen.
Now you spend a whole year at the High Performance Center Papendal where you combine top sport and school. Rick Elzinga, Raf Meuwissen and Brian van der Klij are also supervised full-time. That seems like a good plan to me.
Thankers:“Certainly, last year I was there for four months during the MXGP Rookies project. In the meantime I already feel at home in Papendal. At the weekend I'm just at home, which is not that far from here.”
As cross-country skiers together, you naturally push each other during the week. What is it like to deal with competitors like Raf, Rick and Brian who you see every day?
Thankers:“You keep it in the back of your mind that you ultimately want to beat them! But during the week we laugh together and during training we indeed make each other better.”
What are your assets?
Thankers:“In terms of riding, certainly the jumping. The courage you need. Furthermore, I am quite down-to-earth as a person. Even if I win, I'm just busy with the next match.”
Photos: Niek Photography
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