MX Center Lommel: “All-in-one solution for motocross riders”
Limburg, more specifically Lommel, is the epicenter of motocross. Many international teams have settled in and around Lommel over the years. Now there is also a solution for individual riders and smaller teams to find accommodation nearby. That is the brand new MX Center Lommel.
Many GP riders reside in the region during the season. The reasons are obvious: the home base of the team, suppliers, suspension specialists and access to a training track nearby. However, not every rider has sufficient facilities to prepare. On the Heeserbergen you often see riders who stay in the mobile home for weekshome custom trucks. Somewhere on a quiet corner of the circuit. They only have the essentials, they provide their own electricity, and they collect water with a water bottle. Not ideal, because not every year the temperatures are as pleasant as in the winter of 2019. But was there an alternative?
No, there wasn't. Now it is. Bengt Vanvelthoven, son of former top cross racer Jaak, grew up surrounded by motocross violence. He rode competitively for several years himself, and therefore really knows what it is about. Bengt also saw the often primitive conditions in which some drivers had to prepare their season here. Being an entrepreneur himself, he immediately saw the gap in the market. Plans were made, quotes were requested and ultimately the result was there: a multifunctional building for the motocross riders. With facilities to work on the engine. With facilities to 'live' in the workshop in ideal conditions. Just drive by the Rietkolk in Lommel, it has become a gem.
We visited the inventor and developer of this unique project, especially on this scale.
Bengt, please introduce yourself.
Bengt Van Velthoven: “Hi, I'm Bengt Vanvelthoven. Born and raised in Lommel, the mecca of motocross. I have a very big passion for MX and help Claudio De Carli with his GP team (KTM Cairoli-Prado) wherever I can.”
How did you come up with the idea to develop such a concept? Does that have to do with the story of Antonio Cairoli, who arrived here unexpectedly fifty years ago?
Van Velthoven: Yes, maybe. Cairoli arrived in Lommel with the De Carli team in 2004. They moved into our workshop. Shortly afterwards I started receiving more and more questions from riders and teams about whether I could offer a workshop with overnight accommodation options. Both for the short and long term.”
Let's go back to the previous question. Cairoli's story, can you explain it again?
Van Velthoven: “At the end of 2003, the De Carli team asked me if they could stay with me in the workshop in Lommel during the 2004 season. Since I had enough space in the workshop, they came to Lommel at the beginning of 2004 and the then young and unknown Antonio Cairoli was then a rider alongside Claudio Federici.”
You undoubtedly saw possibilities in your project. But had research preceded this? Or did you rely on your gut feeling?
Van Velthoven: “As I said, I was increasingly asked whether I knew of a workshop with a sleeping place. Because my father (ed. Jaak Vanvelthoven ed.) is chairman of the Stedelijk motocross site in Lommel, I knew that many foreigners camp there all year round to prepare for the competitions. This sometimes happens in harsh conditions and they are often outside tinkering with their engines. The risk of theft (the motorcycles are simply left in the back of the camper at night) is also quite high if they are simply parked somewhere. That's why I believe in this project.”
Describe how the building was conceived?
Van Velthoven: “We have collaborated with project developer Vanden Boer Concept (sponsor of De Carli Racing and Jorge Prado, and who is also part of this project) built a large industrial hall. This is divided into 6 identical units. There are also parking lots with facilities for campers and trucks. Literally everything has been thought of, even an unloading area for a chemical toilet!”
What does a unit look like? Key place, laundry room, garage, studio?
Van Velthoven: “Each unit is individually furnished and equipped with a large roller door, workbench, compressor, washing machine and dryer. All you have to do is get your toolbox out and you can tinker in complete comfort. A small studio is provided above the workbenches.”
How many people can stay here and for how long?
Van Velthoven: “There are 3 permanent sleeping places per studio. We are not a hotel, therefore the minimum rental of a unit is 1 week.”
Is the studio Spartan furnished or is it comfortable?
Van Velthoven: The studio is equipped with every comfort. It's not very big, but everything is new. Perfect for mechanics and riders to relax after a hard workout. There is sleeping accommodation for 3 people, a modern kitchenette, nice bathroom with shower, toilet, flat screen TV, air conditioning, WiFi, and so on.”
The building is now in use, but you wanted to wait until everything was in order in and around the building before you wanted to take it outside. But I understand it's actually been in use for a while?
Van Velthoven: “Yes, the first driver moved in in mid-January 2019. That was Swiss MX2 rider Loris Freidig. Assomotor, Brent Van Doninck's current team, has also been with us since mid-February. They both rent a unit for a whole year.”
The intention is of course for foreign drivers to come here. Has the fanfare already been created or how are you going to reach those riders?
Van Velthoven: “Several units are already full for the whole year. I have devised the project and made the plans, but I am not doing this alone. Antonio Cairoli and Johan Boonen are also involved. These men have many followers on social media and this way we reach a large part of the MX world.”
You yourself are still very much involved in the current MX. You are more than just an acquaintance of Antonio Cairoli, but also of MX2 world champion Jorge Prado. Is there a nice story behind that?
Van Velthoven: “Yes. As I said, I helped Cairoli with many daily things as a young guest in a foreign country. So I already knew him before he achieved his great successes. We became friends then and have always remained so. I also think it's because building a friendship with someone who is not yet known is easier than with someone who is already seen as a star by everyone. By the way, I still try to help him where I can.
It actually happened a bit the same way with Jorge Prado. When he rode an 85cc, KTM had already sent him to Belgium to train here in the summer. Because Jorge and his father did not immediately know where to go, I agreed with Claudio De Carli that they could stay in my workshop during the summer months. Because Max Nagl was out for several months that year with an injury, mechanic Bart Dirkx came to assist father Prado while tinkering with the bike. I also helped Jorge with many things when they came to live permanently in Belgium. That was about everyday things like going to the doctor, taking him to fitness training and so on. And to this day I still do as much as I can for Antonio and Jorge. I am truly happy that I was able to help these two top players so well.”
Practical information MX CENTER
Address: Rietkolk 53 3920 Lommel
www.mxcenterlommel.com
Email: info@mxcenterlommel.com
Instagram: @mxcenterlommel
You can also book a unit online.
Photos: MX Center, Ray Archer, Instagram Bengt Van Velthoven
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