Five minutes with Stefan Everts
For motocross legend Stefan Everts (46), the past few months have mainly been dominated by medical bulletins after his terrible malaria attack. Before he had to go under the knife to have the tips of his toes amputated on Monday, son Liam (14) provided a welcome morale boost. Liamski took his first EMX125 top-10 finish in Arco di Trento.
Fortunately, it has not been all doom and gloom at the Everts-Tureluren home in recent months. Liam Everts made a successful transition to 125cc while sister Mylee was a great performer. That sporting focus was certainly not evident given the great unrest and commotion caused by Stefan's health condition.
What Liam has already shown in the first two EMX competitions is quite impressive!
Stefan Everts: “Certainly, he has made a very nice transition. Two weeks ago in Valkenswaard there was a home race and his first EMX125. With that comes pressure and tension. Qualifying was a bit more difficult, but in the last lap he was able to get the job done. The first heat was not easy, but the second heat went much better. That was a positive first match. In Arco everything was very different of course, both in terms of the ground and the layout of the circuit. He immediately gave a good impression in the free training. In the first race Liam rode very well. He finished seventh despite having some wheelspin on the grid. On Sunday the track was much less technical, making it really flat. Then it is difficult for him to have confidence in the first rounds. Liam had a very good start but then he lost too many places. He fought hard to get back. At the moment, Liam is still disadvantaged in terms of height, but that progression will come. In any case, he has completed four series, which is certainly a good learning experience.”
You had previously indicated that the EMX125 was not necessarily necessary for Liam right away. A program with ADAC and Dutch competitions was also on the table.
Everts: “I said that before the winter because we didn't want to rush anything. The more we saw Liam riding during the winter, it became clear that he was ready to ride in the European Championship. When you are actually at the start, everything is still different! In Valkenswaard there were 100 riders on the list, all of whom were 'half a head or one head' taller than Liam. Then you think: 'it will be difficult here'. It reminded me of Faenza in 1989 where I rode my first 125cc GP. Then we were at the start with more than 100 riders. I was 16 at the time…”
The 125cc was at the time the gateway to the Motocross World Championship, now the 125cc is a youth class. That is actually a strong evolution.
Everts: “When you see the level of those boys, it speaks volumes. Just look at Mattia Guadagnini who won in Arco. At this level he has nothing more to learn. Winning with a street lead every week, you don't gain anything from that. It doesn't matter to us because we are here to learn. There are points that need to be improved. Especially when it is flatter and the aggression in those first rounds still has to come. As the best riders go straight away, he would be beaten back straight away even if he took the holeshot. But that will all come.”
To what extent can you use the KTM SX125 Compare Liam's with the 125cc factory bikes of the past?
Everts: “Gosh, this is pretty good too. We have a kit suspension from WP Suspension, the engine block is prepared in Austria. Be careful, the engine runs well, but in itself it is nothing special. The disadvantage of Liam is also an advantage because he is small but also light. Ten kilograms lighter, which helps when things are 'heavy'. We also have Haan Wheels, MotoMaster brake discs, air filters from Twin Air, an exhaust from HGS… basically all parts that anyone can buy.”
There were opportunities for Liam to be integrated into a team. Why did you choose to do it yourself?
Everts: “When you run your own team, you have no other obligations. You can decide for yourself which races to participate in or not. That way you don't have to argue about side issues. Unfortunately we are unlucky with Marc Verpaelen (Liam's mechanic) who had to stop due to health problems. We had actually drawn up a three-year plan with him so that he would continue to work for Liam until next year. Unforeseen circumstances have decided otherwise. That's a difficult situation but fortunately KTM lent us Jeffrey Herlings' training mechanic. If Jeffrey comes back soon, we will of course lose him. As a result, we are still looking for a good mechanic. It is not easy to find the suitable profile. I don't want the first one, because the engine has to be good. Everything has to be perfect because we are now in a risky sport.”
The past few months have been very difficult for everyone in the family. It must have been tough for Liam to be able to concentrate on his sport, right?
Everts: “Initially he had a very difficult time with it. But then he turned the switch, he realized that he had to move on and make the best of it. That went well in the winter. I think it's been the hardest for Kelly. She had to take care of everyone and arrange everything. That should not be underestimated... Especially the thought of whether I would get through it. Imagine if I were on my own with two children. That was tough, but she did very well. She is a very strong woman. You know for me it was the easiest. I was in hibernation (ed. Everts was in a coma for a while). Then I got out and the misery started! Not every day was easy, but I have already swam through deeper waters and conquered higher mountains. I will get through this too. The biggest problem is that you don't have a timeline. Will this take another two months or is it more like six months? Monday's operation was important to start the final phase of my rehabilitation. Hopefully the pain in my heels and feet will also improve soon. I suffered quite a lot in Arco! Fortunately I was able to rest in time.”
Certainly for our readers, the EMX125 is an interesting category with input from the Netherlands and Belgium. What have you noticed about the lowlanders?
Everts: “To be honest, I expected a bit more from Kjell Verbruggen. At the moment I still miss some regularity. Kay De Wolf is of course doing fine. I expected a lot from him, we also competed against him a lot last year. What Kay has already shown this year is really impressive. In Valkenswaard he was in the lead for almost the entire series, strong! Hopefully we can keep up with Kay as Liam gets physically stronger. If you gain a few pounds and grow a bit, that should be possible. We have some good talent coming up, which is positive. In Belgium the flush is much thinner, but we have known that for some time. Please note, there is no guarantee that Liam will get there, but at least he is doing well.”
Thanks for your time Stefan!
Everts: "Don't mention it."
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Gino Maes
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