Interview: Gert Van Werven in times of Covid-19
When the curtain fell on a beautiful and exciting sidecarcross season, none of us knew that a few months later we would be in a pandemic. It seems as if we, along with the entire world, are part of a science fiction scenario by some great filmmaker. How bizarre and incomprehensible life can be. This is difficult for mere mortals to understand. But how do top athletes deal with this?
In the MXGP, many riders receive very good support from the various teams. Many of them have a professional life and live from and for their sport. Among sidecar drivers, there are only a few who can make their sport their profession. The rest of the field of participants is often the figurehead of the family and team. Work hard during the week, train, prepare and compete for those coveted titles on the weekend. Taking into account a social distancing of more than 265 kilometers, I had some pressing questions for a permanent fixture in the sidecar world. Namely the always cheerful Gert van Werven.
How are Gert and the rest of the family doing during this bizarre period?
Gert Van Werven: “Everything is fine with my family and myself. My wife now mainly works from home and takes care of the children. One week I work from home and the next week I am at work. Given my job as Warehouse and Logistics Manager at VB-Airsuspension, I try to be present as much as possible to help all my employees.”
Now that everything has been canceled and postponed to later dates, shouldn't it be easy to keep the focus, or are you enjoying the little daily things?
Van Werven: “I must honestly say that we are not bored at home. We are lucky that we live outside and have enough space to move freely. But over the years, our outdoor life has grown considerably and we are now busy with that, especially during the weekends. And you know, one thing leads to another and then the plans are often made bigger again.
I must say very honestly that I can shield myself from the cross in this way, it is not that I am constantly working on it. Of course I would like to get back on the bike and go out with the team. But what is more important is that this situation must first be under control and that we can then look further. Many people attach themselves to a government date. But that does not mean that measures will be canceled and everything will open again immediately. So let's be happy with the fact that we are still healthy and have no complaints. I must say that here in the Netherlands we cannot complain about the measures that have been taken, namely that we still have reasonable freedom that we must of course use sensibly. I must say that our son sees it as a big holiday and does not notice what is going on. He thinks it's fine that he doesn't have to go to school now and that he can spend whole days outside playing. He would love to ride around on his motocross track all day long on his sidecar. It is of course great to see how our son is infected with the sidecar cross virus and unconsciously copies all kinds of our rituals. Perhaps this will result in the next generation of 'van Werven' that will one day appear at the start of a World Championship sidecar cross... let's hope so, that would be great."
Last season did not go smoothly for the team. It must not have been an easy task not to have Peter Beunk next to you every race after his ankle fracture?
Van Werven: “Fortunately it was not a season with only setbacks, because as a team we managed to achieve a nice third place in the Open Dutch Championship during the final in Lichtenvoorde. On the other hand, things did not go smoothly in terms of injuries, but there is no point in complaining for a long time. Setbacks must be overcome and as a team you must continue to look ahead, fortunately we all do that. I broke my ankle in Markelo, but fortunately I was able to get back on the bike quite quickly thanks to an operation by 'cross doctor Tichelaar'. Because of this I was unable to ride Strassbessenbach and Stelpe. Once we got back on the bike together in Switzerland, Peter broke his ankle in three places - that was quite a setback for all of us.
Peter and I are a close team and with Peter I can really read and write on the motorcycle. Due to this serious injury, I had to look for a replacement. Fortunately, I was able to call on Kenny van Gaalen for Gooik. Kenny and I had already ridden together the year before and I knew that this would be fine with him. Kenny is not just good, he is great! It's difficult to explain, but with Kenny you can ride the way you want as a rider. However, we had to miss one Grand Prix, because I was unable to drive the race in Dardon-Guegnon. I canceled quite a few bakers. I clearly looked for a driver with whom I could reach the finish line and where I could ride at my own pace. After all, we had already missed a few matches and I didn't have to prove anything to myself anymore, because I had already agreed with Peter for the 2020 season. I skipped the match in France and continued looking at baking players for the last match of the season. Fortunately, there was that friendly man who wanted to come over from Finland to Rudersberg. Lari Kunnas is certainly one of the most motivated bakingists. He is very eager to learn and has a good sense of what the engine is doing, this young one will definitely get there!”
It was not due to fitness, because team Van Werven often only really gained steam in the last 10 minutes and several combinations were worth it. Yet the starts were often the main culprit, did you work on this during the winter period or was it something else?
Van Werven: “Condition is always an issue for me... there are races where I can drive completely crazy in 15 minutes and then have to catch my breath for about five minutes, after which I can start the last 10 minutes again. I am certainly not a training animal by nature, but I have to rely on a lot of smooth riding. I think Peter and I are one of the heavier combinations in the field, the TM engine is certainly not the strongest among all power sources, which makes a start very important. And, indeed, this did not always work out well. But luckily we can usually make up for a lot in the first laps by passing quite easily.
We mainly used this winter, until our trip to America, to recover from our injuries. Peter from his ankle fracture and I from my operation in December where the screws were removed from my ankle and a major revision was done to my meniscus. This was severely damaged, so I could no longer move my knee freely. In mid-January, both Peter and I got the green light again and we just started motorcycle training.”
You finish the World Cup in 11th place and help team Netherlands win the coveted Sidecars of Nations title. This must have given you a lot of confidence to start the 2020 season?
Van Werven: “When we were asked during the final ONK competition at the Zwarte Cross in Lichtenvoorde, I was very honored. I had the opportunity to do this with Peter in 2014 and we won silver, now we got another chance. Unfortunately Peter was not at my side due to his injury, but luckily he was with our team that weekend. Kenny van Gaalen assisted me during the Nations. As a team, I think we certainly showed that we were a valuable addition to team Hermans and team Bax. We had a great race in the second round and if everything goes well at that moment and you cross the finish line and see your own group of regular supporters, then that's great. Something like that certainly gives me a lot of confidence and a very good feeling, namely the feeling that we are really doing something like this together.”
At the request of North American TM importer Ralf Schmidt, you are going to the USA for a sidecar promotion. This can only be one of the highlights of your career as a passionate sidecar driver?
Van Werven: "Yes! This adventure has certainly been one of the highlights of my career. I've wanted to go to America for a long time to experience this, but this way - it was great. In America, sidecar sport is virtually non-existent. The level is very low and I think it is mainly difficult to obtain certain materials there. There are people who are willing to invest energy and time in this, but then there must be people who want to practice this sport. And as long as there is little to see there, this is not motivating. I hope that with our trip we have made a few people there enthusiastic about making this sport better known in the USA.”
You've already mentioned that 2020 might be your last year. Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the season is certainly not going according to plan, and this is having an effect on the team and sponsors. Rebookings, shifting planned vacation days...! Will you stick to your position of quitting or are you considering giving it an extra year?
Van Werven: “At the beginning of this year we had a team presentation and I announced that this would indeed be my last year as an active sidecar crosser in the World Championship and ONK. Only COVID-19 was not yet on the calendar at the time! I am often asked what I will do in 2021, because I don't think much will be left of 2020. Many sponsors and stakeholders indicate that 'this situation' is of course not the way to say goodbye. That's right, I completely agree with them and I am happy that they express this. But I cannot yet answer whether this is possible because I first have to discuss this with my family, baker, team but also employer. And, just as important, the consultation with my sponsors. As helmsman/captain of the team I do have a leading role, but then the team must want to go with me. It is therefore still too early to answer this question, because more questions arise from this one question at this moment. But it certainly keeps me busy.”
It looks like we will be forced to stay at home for even longer. France, Belgium and Germany are extending their corona measures for major events. Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany even go until the end of August! This means that the WSC calendar will have to be adjusted again. What are your reservations about this and how will you approach it when the green light is given again?
Van Werven: “Very unfortunate, but personally I think that there will be no more championship races this season. Our sport needs visitors, visitors bring atmosphere but above all money to the organizers. They desperately need these earnings to be able to organize a World Cup, ONK, NK or other event. I really expect that there will come a time when we can start training again, but I think a competition is more difficult. And our beloved sidecar cross is also a contact sport, because Peter and I cannot stay 1,5 meters apart while driving.
I also think that those responsible for WSC and FIM should meet to review and discuss the possibilities and consequences. A disappointing option would be to cancel the current calendar so that this pressure is off and other options can be looked at and something else can/may be organized. Let's hope that some international competitions can then be organized. Because as far as our World Cup calendar is concerned, which now includes eight matches, that is not a World Cup worthy calendar.”
Thank you for the candid conversation and I hope we can enjoy our beautiful sport again soon. Are there any people you would like to thank in this way?
Van Werven: “The only thing I can wish for at this moment is that everyone stays healthy and that we can soon greet each other again on or along the circuit, to be able to practice or view our beautiful sport.”
Door: Geert Gelaude
Photos: Dries Dewitte
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