Five minutes with Jeremy Van Horebeek
After the MXGP in Valkenswaard, Jeremy Van Horebeek could look back on a good weekend. With an eighth and sixth place in the series, The Jerre finished fifth overall in the second GP of the year. In the World Championship standings he is the first private driver after nine factory pilots. We visited him for some questions.
Congratulations. You rode a very solid GP with a first top five place of the season. How do you look back on your weekend?
Jeremy Van Horebeek: “It was certainly a difficult weekend for me, but probably also for everyone. For me, the switch from the Enduropale in Le Touquet to the MXGP is a bit difficult this year. I have been busy for a long time and last year there was only the preparation for Le Touquet. Now I have ridden the full sand championship. That takes some getting used to and some searching. Physically it is not such a problem, but the intensity of the races is. Well, it went well here in Valkenswaard, the top speed is not quite there yet, but if you can drive top five on such days, that is certainly not bad. So I'm satisfied with the weekend. I will analyze what I can still adjust in the coming weeks. As a private driver, the goal is to reach the top five and if that is possible immediately during the second GP, then that is fine. It gives confidence and leaves you wanting more. I know it's not easy – the level is very high – to get into the top ten. Valkenswaard is a special GP and it was a matter of starting well, staying calm and not falling.”
Did the fact that you rode the beach championship have an influence on the testing with the bike?
From Horebeek: “We went to Spain for five days, but that was not enough. I'm still looking and last week in Matterley I completely lost the right setting. I need a setup that will allow me to drive more easily and smoothly. The starts are not too bad but it is difficult to find a setting that ensures a good start and a smooth race. It's a compromise.”
How did you experience the circuit itself, because I have never experienced Valkenswaard as tough as during the second series.
From Horebeek: “The circuit wasn't really tough but it was really boggy in places. We spent a whole weekend driving on roughly two meters of the total width and that route was full of ruts. There was a very bad stretch at the back, I've never seen it like that before. So it was more enduro riding than a sandcross.”
The next GP is in Argentina (now canceled due to the coronavirus). Are you going there with a special feeling because of your good performance last year?
From Horebeek: “I enjoy riding there and I just want to build on my performance here in Valkenswaard. I am convinced that we can do good things there. I am thirty years old, but I am not worn out yet. Consistency will be key this year. I think that if I stay free of injuries and I can score very regularly, I will finish quite high at the end of the year. Ok, maybe there won't be any podiums or victories, but those days are over.”
In principle, the factory riders who are at the start also have more means to score.
Van Horebeek: “We do it with the resources we have, but it is a little more difficult to arrange.”
Does your experience make it easier for you to better assess the shortcomings?
From Horebeek: “The problem is that we don't have that many options. I know more or less how to do it, but that's why the solution won't be ready tomorrow. Of course, it also has to be possible financially.”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs / Danny Hermans
Photos: Media cross
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