Five minutes with Greg 'the Smekke' Smets
After the canceled match in Tongerlo, the VLM caravan, including Greg Smets, will travel to Arendonk this weekend. So no EMX300 - sorry EMX2T - for the winner of Valkenswaard! A completely new challenge because Smets has a mission: to help BeteMo win the 250 title at VLM. Text and explanation from 'the Smekke' himself...
Where did the switch to the 250 come from?
Greg Smets: “The idea actually came from Vic and Frans from BeTeMo. At first we were not inclined not to respond to this. Afterwards the question was asked a few more times and we discussed it again at home. And in the end we came to an agreement. Our dad also thought it might be a good idea to try it for a year. To learn to fight a little more on the bike and to learn to ride the right lines.”
A step 'back' naturally also requires an adjustment to your driving style.
Smets: "Definitely. You don't have the power of a 450 at all. All the power comes from your arms and shoulders while riding, which is definitely one of the hardest things to adapt to. In addition, I had ridden very little before the season. Due to the exams and such, I have almost no engine hours. Hopefully I can grow as the season progresses.”
You also need a good balance between aggression and flexibility. That might seem like the biggest challenge for you?
Smets: “In any case, you do need that aggression, but flexibility should not suffer from that. Otherwise your speed will also suffer.”
The big goal is the Inters MX2 title at VLM
Smets: “That's right, of course I will do everything I can to do that. However, it will not be easy. It's not that there is no competition. We will have to fight for every point!”
What do you still need to work on on the 250?
Smets: “I definitely have to drive more at high revs because I am of course so used to driving at low revs with the 450. That is of course not possible with a 250.”
What else are you going to drive outside the VLM?
Smets: “In any case, I won't be riding a full EMX300 championship anymore. Although I wouldn't rule out picking up an EMX300 in the summer when school is over. If the opportunity presents itself… why not? But that is certainly not certain. I would like to participate in the Dutch Masters of Motocross, an ADAC competition or go to France, that is certainly possible. If there are free VLM weekends, I naturally want to fill them with fun and exciting competitions.”
A new engine also offers new motivation, but sometimes the adjustment takes longer than expected. Especially if you are perfectly attuned to your old motorcycle.
Smets: “I'm having a lot of fun on the 250! Actually, I'm more like: 'I wish I had done this sooner.' At another point I think, I wish I had my 450 now! Just because I'm so used to that ability. The first year I raced I rode a 250, then I immediately switched to a 450. So I actually learned to race on a 450. That makes it difficult to change those automatics. You have to accelerate longer into the corner and try to get on the gas earlier. The later you accelerate, the harder it is to get started. The speed in the bend is now even more important!”
Tell us more about your motorcycle?
Smets: “It's a KTM 250SX-F. Except for a different exhaust, it is completely standard. And I have kit suspension at the front, that's it!”
Jonathan Banken, the man to beat?
Smets: You can't ignore that, he has dominated in MX2 for so long. There were also races last year where he left a lot of 250s behind him on his 450!”
Photos: Dieter Jans, Loïc Lassence
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