GP musical chairs: Where does Bas Vaessen land?
As long as the music continues to play and there are empty chairs, there is dancing. That is the principle of musical chairs. One look at the list of the official MX2 teams tells us that at this moment, 64 days before the first GP, there are still five seats left unoccupied!
At Assomotor Honda they apparently keep the tension up for a while. Or do they want to keep all options open in an American style - the West Coast becomes the East Coast due to injuries? Anyone who is not ready for the World Championship can take another chance in the EMX250? It doesn't sound very likely. We therefore simply assume that Brent Van Doninck and Mathys Boisramé will be added to the MX2 World Championship list and that Stephen Rubini and Pierre Goupillon will ride in the European Championship as planned.
Vaessen's bad year
The fate of Bas Vaessen is more interesting. Vaessen joined the new 2018 Motorsports Honda for 2 after the dissolution of Suzuki World MX114. Livia Lancelot's team experienced quite a few unexpected problems, including due to the late delivery of the CRF250R motorcycles. Bas himself suffered a serious muscle injury to the groin. Ultimately, the two-time German champion had to settle for a measly 17 this seasonde place in the final standings.
So far below his capabilities, although Vaessen sporadically showed some examples of his ability even in his much-troubled first World Cup campaign. In Ottobiano he finished fourth in a series in 2017, and in Russia he finished fifth in one round. For next season, we wouldn't be surprised if Bas changes his mind and opts for certainty. In the MX2, certainty still rhymes with KTM/Husky. Vaessen turns 21 next month, so he still has some respite, but another lost year would certainly damage his career.
Hitachi KTM Fueled by Milwaukee?
It just so happens that there is still an unfilled seat vacant at Hitachi KTM Fueled by Milwaukee! The official KTM UK team has been dealing in British MX2 titles for years and has plenty of experience. Conrad Mewse also showed at the start of the season - think of Valkenswaard and Red Sand - that Roger Magee's brigade must also be taken into account at World Cup level. Experience also shows that KTM is prepared to make an extra effort - such as a factory engine block - if there is a prospect of top results. A situation that occurred (briefly) with Mewse last season.
The same Conrad Mewse, with ex 125cc world champion Jamie Dobb as manager, will remain in post with the British team. The current co-main sponsor ASA will follow its own course next year but with Milwaukee Tools becoming co-title sponsor for 2019, the KTM UK team has already found a new, ambitious partner. Will Bas Vaessen take up his post next to Mewse? The answer will more than likely follow in early January!
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Bavo Swijgers, KTM UK
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