Five minutes with Kevin Strijbos
Whether things are going well or not going so well, ask Kevin Strijbos a question and you will get an honest answer. That makes our job simpler. When we contact Kevin for an update, he is also in a good mood. And then he wasn't allowed to show the back of his tongue!
Physically, the Wuustwezel veteran is back at work, but after his elbow operation at the beginning of October, some caution is still required. Three physio sessions a week, cycling, but no mountain biking. This is approximately what the interim balance sheet looks like. On December 6, 'the Kid' has to go back to the doctor for a check-up. In the meantime, however, it appears he has found shelter for 2019.
According to our information, the experienced Belgian would compete for a young Yamaha team in the MXGP World Championship. The team will concentrate on the European GPs. In this way, the six-time GP winner would also come full circle because he started his international career at the brand with the crossed tuning forks!
Did your forced inactivity play a disadvantage in your search for a new team?
Kevin Strijbos: "No not really. Okay, I can't test the engine myself, which may be a disadvantage, but teams now know what they can do with me. Besides, I'll be back on the bike early next year, so that's no problem.”
For several years now, you have also been conducting negotiations with teams yourself. Is that a big difference?
Strijbos: “When you are younger you don't have the experience yet. Then a manager will certainly come in handy. Now I know much better what I want and what I don't want. I do most of the discussions myself, but I sometimes have contracts read over. If I need advice, I can still contact my former manager Koen Monu. Sometimes working with a manager can have a negative impact as a driver. The manager obviously wants to get the most out of it, which may cause the relationship with the team to suffer. On the other hand, as a rider you will sometimes say yes too quickly to benefit others. I am very open about my needs and wishes. What is needed to work professionally. I also know my market value. At the moment, Kevin Strijbos is not worth a salary of 100.000 euros, but I am not going to invest any money myself. This openness is greatly appreciated by some teams. Each driver must decide for himself what the best approach is.”
The fact that you still want to ride GPs says a lot about your motivation and desire to ride.
Strijbos: “I am indeed still very much looking forward to driving and driving myself as I know I can. Stopping after a season like this... I didn't like that. I am realistic about my goals, but I know how difficult 2018 was and how I was constantly lagging behind. A lot of people don't believe in me anymore, I understand that. But I know I am capable of much more than what I showed this year.”
On the other hand, what do you still have to prove if you have been around for so long, have been a factory rider for years, were vice world champion and so on.
Strijbos: “That is true and yet that urge to perform is still there. I still have that drive to train and prove myself. And I am also eager to convey my experience. To my teammate, to the people around me too. That's a new challenge. The team is currently still looking at what is possible regarding the overseas GPs, although I am very realistic about that. It's difficult enough as a starting team and it's better to build up step by step. There are also longer-term options. Why would you invest 60.000 euros in an overseas GP for the 15de place to drive? That risk is there anyway. Then you would be better off investing that budget elsewhere.”
There were probably other options outside the World Cup.
Strijbos: “That's right, I also had a nice offer in Germany. But in terms of sport, that means much less to me. The focus will then be on the ADAC and four GPs. Now there are 14 in total, I think, which is a completely different approach. Then you can also build up rhythm and I also know that with 4 GPs you can never get used to the speed of the GP riders. Switching to enduro means nothing to me. Maybe I could focus on beach racing, that also appeals to me.
But because I now stay in the World Cup, that is a nice motivation.”
You ended up being 14de in the MXGP World Championship. This indicates that a healthy Kevin Strijbos would have needed a lot more.
Strijbos: “In the winter I felt quite good and the riding went well. That broken collarbone really came at a bad time. In retrospect, I probably came back too soon. I definitely wanted to ride in Argentina but I started without confidence. Then the results failed to materialize and then the elbow injury came along! That's a kind of vicious circle you end up in. Driving around on an 18de place is very difficult to accept in the beginning. You know it's not your place and you don't enjoy it either. In the long run, however, you have to accept reality and circumstances.”
Apart from all worries, you showed at times that the speed is still there: a seventh heat in Ottobiano, 8th in the Swiss GP, podium on the Keiheuvel and in Orp-le-Grand…
Strijbos: “At the end of the season the weather was a bit better, but starting was still difficult. Which by the way had nothing to do with the material. Since Lommel I haven't trained in the week since my elbow was bothering me so much. I don't have that much motorcycle training to find my speed again, but your confidence still suffers. You avoid drumming at the start, only when there were gaps did I get going again.”
On paper, the Kevin Strijbos – Standing Construct combination had every chance of achieving great results. That prolonged situation and the fact that you did not get a second chance must have been very difficult.
Strijbos: “Certainly, 2018 was not the year we envisioned. Neither regarding Tim (ed. Mathys, owner Standing Construct KTM), nor what I had in mind. They never imposed pressure, but you do want to perform. You also feel guilty towards the team because they have to do the same work. Whether you perform or not. As you say, I also knew many team members well, which didn't make it any easier. The fact that you are not allowed to remain that way is indeed a downer. On the other hand, I also understand the team. In their situation, drivers will come along who offer more options. That's the way it is now.”
Is it easier for you to put those problems aside as a young dad?
Strijbos: “It doesn't change anything during competitions or training. If the square turns, you still have the same amount of money. When I get home, I forget such a bad day more quickly. When I'm playing it with my little one, everything else becomes secondary!”
You have been riding GPs since 2001, which is almost an eternity. Did fear of the black hole play a role in continuing?
Strijbos: “Somewhere. Halfway through the season I even thought about throwing in the towel. I can only race, so to speak! Sometimes you think about that. I'm actually a bit scared of it. As a professional rider we have a lot of freedom, you do what you like to do and I have been used to that for a long time. What after my motocross career? I haven't earned enough money to retire yet! So I still have to work anyway. Working in a factory every day, to be honest I don't think I could last two days. That's why I hope I can still do something in the sport. That is also a motivation to now build something together with my new team.”
Thanks for the chat and good luck!
Strijbos: "Don't mention it."
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: shobyBavo, Eva Szabadfi, Niek Photography, MXGP
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