Published on 10/12/2018
Column , Geert Gelaude , International Supercross , MSV Schijndel , Schijndel , Stefan Everts , Supercross Schijndel
Column: Geert Gelaude December 2018
Santa has left for warmer places again and Santa Claus is eager to do his thing. In short, we are almost at the end of a year that has passed far too quickly. We will soon know whether Jeffrey Herlings can be crowned Sportsman of the Year in the Netherlands. It would be a great boost for our sport, which is increasingly under pressure. So we hope for a favorable outcome with everyone who cares about motocross.
Winter time also means Supercross. And when we talk about indoors, everyone immediately thinks of Zuidbroek, where a few weeks ago a very nice group made the beautiful weather. The Zuidbroek Supercross guarantees riders from many countries and this year too the list of names was not bad. Excitement, spectacle and a large afterparty always ensure full stands.
Perhaps a bit in the shadow of Zuidbroek is the Supercross in Schijndel. But in terms of the number of organizations they stand out. Every year they manage to transform the famous riding school into a place full of ambiance and exciting races for a weekend. But riders are also finding their way to this organization more and more easily. Once again this year it was a good field of participants, with two great winners on both days. Mark Essens from YSS suspension came to the start with a very strong team and immediately showed that he had his suspensions in perfect order. On day one there were fireworks of the highest order, the final was a French party and it was Charles Lefrancois (team YSS) who managed to take the lead. Kade Walker came second ahead of German SX specialist Dominique Thury. English revelation Adam Chatfield and Ludovic Macler rounded out the top five. Many headed to their campers after the final, while others dived back into the festivities. Sunday also went smoothly and we were able to enjoy many beautiful heats again and we saw another strong performance by Lotte van Drunen who again completed double heats in both the 65cc small wheels and the 85cc small wheels, she put her will to everyone on. She was only able to finish as winner in one single series, which is exceptional. Many Inters watched her laps with admiration. But everyone had come for the big boys and they gave everything of themselves again.
The Canadian Kade Walker will be an unknown to many who suddenly sticks his nose to the window. This may well be the case, but Kade came to live in Italy at an early age without family to pursue his dream. And where there is a will, there is a way, the saying goes. I have known Kade for some time and can say that he is a quiet boy who continued to fight despite the difficult years and is now starting to reap the benefits. He already became Prince in Zuidbroek and now he can put that title behind his participation in Schijndel. Walker had had a bad night's sleep and was not yet very awake, he reported before the start, but I wonder what the Pol Motors Husqvarna rider would show if he had slept completely... Kade took the washboard on numerous laps three times. I haven't seen many imitate it. With this new victory it is almost certain that we will see him at work more often on the Pol Husqvarna. It's nice for the team that after the departure of Harri Kullas to Yamaha they now have a new golden boy. The entire competition is hereby warned that they better prepare for the third weekend of 2019 because then Goes is on the agenda. I don't know whether Walker will start in Rosmalen, but there is certainly a chance.
This time I will conclude with the hope that ten-time world champion Stefan Everts can quickly be brought out of the artificial coma after being struck by malaria. It would be a nice boost for the entire cross family towards the end of the year. And give many the necessary courage to do everything they can again next year to take another step higher on the step. Happy, joyful but above all healthy celebrations and on to 2019!
By: Geert Gelaude
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: KTM
Posted: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: KTM
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