Take 5: Raff the Wolf
The 2019 season is over and that means looking back but also looking ahead! In this Take 5 we speak with Raff de Wolf. We know almost everything about his big brother Kay, now it's time to put Raf in the spotlight!
MXMag: All enthusiasts know your big brother Kay. He has already won several titles and rides for the Husqvarna factory team. Isn't it annoying to be in your brother's shadow?
RdW: “No, certainly not! Kay takes me to many places and I also experience beautiful things that I might not otherwise experience. I am very proud of him!”
MXMag: The 2018 season did not go well, you had a terrible crash in Harfsen when a fallen colleague's bike entered the circuit in the wrong direction. What all happened?
RdW: “That was indeed not a nice day. I was there purely as a spectator because I had no competition myself. I walked neatly behind the fence around the track with cross friends. A rider who was setting a fast time at the time lost control of his motorcycle. He went off the track, went into the fence and then hit me. It all happened so fast but I took most of the impact with my head. I suffered from this for a long time, but after a lot of therapy all the complaints have disappeared again. The rider could do nothing about this. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
MXMag: This season you came out strong during the first KNMV Dutch Masters of Motocross in Oss. You managed to finish on the podium, how did you experience this day?
RdW: “That was a surprise for me too. During the Christmas holidays of 2018, I picked up the thread again after the accident. My preparation was therefore less than most other boys. The riding went very well that day and the starts were very good. I managed to set a good pace so I stayed at the front. When two boys crashed together, I scored enough points for a podium finish!”
MXMag: What does your schedule look like in 2020?
RdW: “My season looks very different than expected! At the end of last season I slipped during a training in Oirschot and completely tore my two anterior cruciate ligaments in my right knee. In the Netherlands, this operation is not recommended at my age, but because I continue to have pain, the operation will be performed anyway. This will happen today (January 14) at Ortema, followed by a ten-month rehabilitation!”
MXMag: What is your goal for 2020, when will this season be a success?
RdW: “Because I am so young, my goal this year is to be completely cured. Everything has to be 100% good and strong enough to get back on the bike. Then we will start preparing for 2021 because then I hope to be able to be behind the starting gate again!”
MXMag: Thank you for this conversation and good luck! We wish you the best of luck and a good recovery!
RdW: “Thank you.”
By: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photo: #NiekFotografie
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