Interview with Vice-World Champion Koen Hermans: “I was really close!”
Last weekend a surprising World Cup sidecar cross season came to an end.
Almost no expert expected that the season would be dominated by the young teams of Hermans from the Netherlands and Vanluchene from Belgium. The expectation was that these two teams would do well, but no one expected to compete against each other for the world title. After all, before the start of this season, both teams had never won a GP heat!
At the end of the season the title deservedly went to Vanluchene/Van den Boogaart, but Hermans/Musset also finished second in the World Cup standings with a large lead in points over number three Bax/Stupelis. Team Hermans also announced this week that they will also cross swords in 2019 together with the Frenchman Nicolas Musset in the box. Reason enough for MXMag to ask the young Koen Hermans from Hengelo in Gelderland a number of questions.
MXmag: You had a great season with a clear second place in the World Championship. Were you surprised that it went so well this season or did you already think in the preparation for this year: 'Back on the WSP sidecar and with my new racing driver Nicolas Musset I will now really compete for the World Championship title?'
Hermans: 'The feeling on the bike was immediately very positive and I was also very positive about the collaboration with Nicolas. I learned a lot from him, especially on the hard courts. So I expected to do better than in 2017, but at the beginning of the season I didn't think I had a chance to become world champion, but I was really close.'
MXmag: You indeed really participated in that title fight. Are you proud of your second place or are you disappointed that you were not able to win that title?
Hermans: 'Of course I would have wanted to be in first place, but I am also proud of this result, of course. I am still young and I also gave Marvin that title, he and Ben were simply better. Even though I would rather have been the first one, of course.'
MXmag: You have shown plenty of great things this season, as evidenced by that second place in the World Cup. What was the best moment for you of the last World Cup sidecar cross season?
Hermans: 'My moto win in Oss was special. The sidecar combination complete in black and white, for Hans (Garritsen, sponsor/friend of Hermans who, to the shock of the sidecar world, had an accident in the preseason), and also my very first GP race victory. The most beautiful moment, or actually the most beautiful GP, was in Stelpe, Latvia. That was our first victory on the day and by coming 1st in the heats twice, that was of course super nice!'
MXmag: After some rumors in the paddock, which we can imagine can make you despondent, you announced this week that Hermans/Musset will also form a team in 2019. What makes your collaboration so good?
Hermans: 'I think it's a shame that some people make an elephant out of a mosquito, they do this purely to be able to chat with certain people. Why would you talk about something that you are not sure is 100% correct? I don't really care about it, but I do think it's a shame. During the last GP in Vessoul we put the finishing touches and officially discussed that Nicolas and I will continue together next year. We still click well and I can still learn more and more on the hard courts and there are a number of other small points that we have discussed and will work on for 2019.'
MXmag: Hermans/Musset also in 2019, we are already looking forward to it!
First of all, good luck to team Netherlands during the Sidecarcross of Nations in Denmark in two weeks. Thank you for your time and finally, would you like to add anything at the end of these four questions?
Hermans: 'It may sound standard, but I would like to thank everyone who supported us this season. Everything about this year wouldn't have been possible without the team, and certainly not without the sponsors.'
Tekst: Emil Bilars
Photos: Freddie Driezes
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