What are you doing? Marcel van Drunen
In the section #What are you doing MXMag.nl 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 we have multiple Dutch Champion Marcel van Drunen.
Briefly introduce yourself:
MvD: “I am Marcel van Drunen, 48 years old and I live with my girlfriend Elfri and our son Jayson in Eindhoven. I have a daughter from a previous relationship; Sharde.
What do you do for your daily sandwich these days?
MvD: “After motocross I didn't want to put on a helmet anymore, but then I came into contact with Supermoto thanks to Rudy Versteeg. In 2003 I came second in the ONK Supermoto and a year later I became champion. I then won eight Dutch Supermoto and one European Supermoto title. To keep this sport alive, I invited cross riders, but I kept hearing the same thing. “No clothes and no wheels available” after which I started the Supermoto School with support from Yamaha and Maxxis. From April to October I teach at least once a week at the Eurocircuit in Valkenswaard. There are ten (10) Yamaha WR450F motorcycles ready so that people can get acquainted with the sport. I also regularly give lessons and courses in the field of motocross. We try to organize an internship three times a year for the littlest boys and girls. I really enjoy doing this!
In 2009 I started my own Supermoto clothing line. MVD Racewear now also has BMX and motocross clothing. The Yamaha Grizzly Racing Junior Team rides with MVD clothing, customers can choose their own color combinations.”
The highlight of your career?
MvD: “Given my long career, I can't really pinpoint a highlight. The podium places during the British GP and in Lierop. Second place during the 1991 Belgian GP in Genk. Don't forget the German titles in 1995, 1997 and 1998. And of course the Dutch titles in Supercross, Motocross and Supermoto.”
The low point of your career?
MvD: “That was in 1990 when I had a serious crash in Rhenen. I jumped and my head got caught behind an audio cable. I fell backwards about twenty feet on my back. My whole body was bruised and it took a long time to be able to drive without pain again. A year later in Halle I crashed at the start, after which I rode from 40th to fifth place. It was 33 degrees and in the final phase I was overcome by the heat and in the last bend I simply went straight into the barrier. I was then taken to the hospital completely exhausted and in shock.
How do you look back on your motocross career?
MvD: “Satisfied, I think I got the most out of it. Through hard work I achieved my titles and achieved achievements. Perhaps the heavy fall in Rhenen has not done my career any good, but that is at the risk of our beautiful sport.”
Best motorcycle ever ridden?
MvD: “There are actually two. First the VENKO-Honda prepared by Jan de Groot and my father. Later the Kurz-Yamaha was also great thanks to my father's input. I won two German titles with that machine.”
How do you view the current motocross world?
MvD: “After being active in Supermoto for a while, I am back in it because of my son. The engines have of course been greatly improved, both in terms of pulling power and suspension. I do have doubts about riders aged 16-17 on a 250F. The machine is often way too strong for such a boy! The level in the Netherlands is very good, we often don't think about that, but in other countries it is not always better. Jeffrey Herlings and Glenn Coldenhoff are doing great and fast boys are also coming from the youth such as Kay de Wolf and Kay Karssemakers. I also expect that in the World Championship in about four or five years.”
By: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: Facebook
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