Interview Kevin Strijbos
High peaks, deep valleys. 34-year-old Kevin Strijbos knows everything about the erratic path of the top athlete. Despite all the tumult, however, there have also been constants in the 20 years since his GP debut in Finland. One of them was and is Suzuki. Strijbos set up his own team KSRT MX team for 2020 and returned on the RM450-Z450.
Although he finished 2019 strongly with top-10 finishes and silver in the MX of Nations with the Belgian team, he did not find a team. Ultimately, Kevin decided to take the step to start his own team. Although with the support of the German Suzuki dealer Johannes Bikes and his loyal sponsor Hens. Despite the late decision (early December) to continue alone, 'the Kid'
his project is on track after all.
The foundation has been laid, although a back injury threw a spanner in the works regarding his results in the first two GPs. The break in the World Cup calendar was therefore not entirely inconvenient for the sympathetic veteran.
First and foremost, how is your health now?
Kevin Strijbos: “I can keep myself reasonably busy. Every day there are exercises specifically for my back. Like most riders, I also try to maintain fitness by cycling. I've also had quite a bit of physio. The hernia in my back went in the right direction. Now it is of course difficult to visit the physiotherapist, but it will be fine.”
What is it like to be at home now? Your son Jayden doesn't really seem like a 'sitter' to me!
Strijbos: “It's actually not too bad. Jayden is quite good. He especially wants to cycle, but luckily he can do that in the garden. Or he takes a tour on his PW50 with training wheels.
He's having fun. The fact that you are at home also makes it a bit old-fashioned cozy. For once we don't have to travel constantly. That's also nice. For example, we play a board game together in the evening, so boredom has not yet struck!”
The preparation was very short to start with a new team. You can now make up some time in that regard.
Strijbos: “That's right, on the one hand that's a blessing in disguise, but now it's taking too long. We had planned tests, we also had positive meetings with suppliers, but unfortunately we cannot continue developing the engine now.”
In recent months, the motorcycle sector has first gotten to know you as a manager rather than a rider. You have left a positive impression on many people in that new role.
Strijbos: “That pleases me. Fortunately, I also had support from experienced experts left and right, but it did give me sleepless nights! The budget you need to participate in the European GP is not that bad. Although I underestimated how much is involved. A lot of organization was needed, calling, emailing, following up…”
How do you look back on the results in the first two MXGP rounds?
Strijbos: “Things were difficult in both Matterley Basin and Valkenswaard. I had hoped for a little more, but I was not yet 100% and we were not there yet in terms of engine. Be careful, I knew it would be difficult. The engine wouldn't suddenly be ready after we only got the green light very late to start racing in the World Cup. Although you always hope to be a little further along. With the parts that are now coming and the test work we are planning, we can make a big step.”
If you indicate that you were a bit disappointed, does that also have to do with the fact that you normally have a good basic speed quite quickly?
Strijbos: “Now I clearly lacked enough competition rhythm to reach a decent level. The problems with my back came on top of that. If I don't ride for a while, after a few training sessions I already have some basic speed. I also drove very little in the winter. It wasn't until 3 months after the Nations that I got back on the bike and yet I had decent speed in training. However, with the standard engine this did not happen in the GPs.”
You also have a lot of specific experience with the Suzuki 450. That should help to accelerate development. You must have a good idea of what direction you want to go in?
Strijbos: “I have a lot of experience with Suzuki, but in the end I only rode this generation of the RM-Z450 for one year in 2017… I indeed know which direction we should go, but it is difficult to achieve. Knowing where I want to go is one thing, but we are not a factory team and then you have to be realistic about what is possible and what is not possible. On the other hand, I am very happy with the technical sponsors we have. Sylvain (Geboers) also helped me with that. In any case, the possibilities are there.”
Is this the impetus for Suzuki to return to the paddock as a factory team?
Strijbos: “Of course our idea is to prepare something for when Suzuki comes back. But that is very premature at this point. It would be nice to do something with them if they decide to go back to MXGP. Or for me to be involved as a test rider. But there's nothing on the table, and I think a lot of other teams would be willing to join forces with them as well. We are private now and all we can do is dream of such a collaboration.”
Since the beginning of this year you have also reconnected with Marc Herremans as a physical trainer.
Strijbos: “Marc contacted me just after New Year's. January was a very complicated month in terms of sports because I was so busy organizing everything. In order to train properly, I needed structure, a schedule and a clear line. After Valkenswaard I did another bike test that was certainly not bad. So it's not like I had to start from scratch or anything! Marc just knows how to handle me, and he knows I need variety in my training. Not that I didn't do my training, but as an athlete I just have to grow back to 100%.”
You are both originally from Wuustwezel, and Marc is also a big cross fan himself. It's nice that you can rely on someone like that.
Strijbos: "Certainly. The fact that he contacted me as a trainer is also motivating. This means that I have not yet been physically written off. People sometimes say to me: “Do you need a trainer because you already have so much experience?” That's true, but I have always trained with a schedule. Without me having to ask any questions. That also provides peace of mind. Now I consult with Marc and on that basis he draws up a schedule. I also worked with Joël Smets in 2013, 2014 and 2015. For me that is a pleasant way of working, especially now because I have many other things on my mind.”
The corona crisis has major economic consequences. This is a drastic situation, especially with your own team.
Strijbos: “That certainly keeps me busy. Attracting sponsors and retaining sponsors in times of crisis is not easy. Certainly not now because we are actually in a start-up phase. The money we received has been invested in the team. There is nothing for myself at the moment. So hopefully we can continue and show ourselves in the competitions this year. That is the sporting aspect, but what the future brings is a question mark for everyone. As a team it's actually p or below. But of course this is a bad time for everyone. Whether it works or not, we'll see. I am down to earth about that. We will have to make a thorough evaluation of whether we will continue in 2021. In any case, I am very grateful that we got the chance to go for it this year. First of all, I think of Hens earthworks. They have continued to support me in good and bad times. Aloïs Hens is more than my biggest sponsor, he is a great friend.”
It is of course important to be well informed about what is to come. As a team manager, how do you experience communication with Infront Moto Racing in these difficult times?
Strijbos: “Positive actually. There is quite a lot of information available to the teams and we are kept well informed. I feel like I can go to any questions I have. And they respond quickly if I have any concerns.”
From the looks of it, summer and fall would be very busy.
Strijbos: “In any case, I had a lot of competitions on my calendar. That's also good for me, because I prefer to race rather than train. I don't have to train the bike as much as Jeffrey Herlings, for example. That is why once a week is sometimes sufficient during such a busy period. And I can also recharge more for a competition than a training session. An additional difficulty is that the competitions that Johannes Bikes will participate in the ADAC MX Masters now coincide with the GPs. So we still have to look at that.”
On the other hand, you could play a more significant role in the ADAC MX Masters. You can go for the title there.
Strijbos: "I know. Ultimately, that is also important for the team, for Johannes Bikes and for my future. But it is difficult for me to let go of the GPs. Maybe because I didn't do anything else?”
Just like Ken De Dycker, you will soon become a father for a second time. How are you guys doing?
what to do in these crazy times?
Strijbos: “For Yentl this does bring some stress. Which is very understandable. I have learned to put things into perspective and to find peace in these types of situations. I'm really looking forward to it myself! We are also very happy that our second baby will be a girl. And of course it's great for Jayden that he gets a sister.”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Niek Photography, Gino Maes, IG Kevin Strijbos
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