Cycling legend Roger De Vlaeminck talks about motocross
Around Easter, Flanders is normally under the spell of two-wheelers. Due to the corona crisis, there was no Tour of Flanders this year, motocross fans have unfortunately had to do without Easter for a whilerofee in Neeroeteren. In the run-up to the classic in the Kiezelgraven in 2007, journalist Tom Jacobs spoke with Roger De Vlaeminck about racing and motocross.
In fact, De Vlaeminck (72) was almost the Mathieu van der Poel of his time. An all-rounder, so to speak, who won Paris-Roubaix four times, but also won the points classification in the Tour of Italy three times and won the Tour of Flanders (1977).
However, the East Flemish also excelled in cyclocross, where he became world champion (1975) and won the Superprestige four times. Moreover, he also occasionally participated in a motocross race...
Below is the conversation with Roger as it appeared at the time.
Do you still follow motocross?
Roger De Vlaeminck: “You can count on that! Last year I was always at my post at 13 p.m. to follow the GPs on TV. It's impressive what Everts achieved, young man. Stefan was my favorite. He won everything, but I found it interesting to follow. Also thanks to the excellent commentary on the VRT with Joël Smets. You'll learn something from that. Everts could do what no one else could and in his own style. That appeals. Now I have to wait and see before I find my favorite. That's a bit crazy now in the first matches, but that will come. I think it will be between Steve Ramon or Kevin Strijbos, depending on my preference. Or who knows, Ken De Dycker. In any case, he must bring something special. And he must have charisma.”
Are there similarities between motocross and cycling?
De Vlaeminck: “Yes, to compete in motocross you need very strong leg muscles. This is the best way to check the engine. Just look at Stefan Everts' calves! You also need skill in steering, and you need to be able to read a match, otherwise you will be exhausted before you know it. I'm an all-round sports fan and I do a little bit of everything, but motocross is hugely underestimated. I have a lot of respect for those guys, because I know how incredibly tough it is.”
Have you also raced yourself?
De Vlaeminck: “Indeed, I competed with the amateur federation BLB. I had a great time with it. I rode my last race in 1981. Motocross is an incredibly tough sport. It's really tough, even on the simple circuits I rode on! You are in the red almost immediately, your muscles sour and your body has to absorb a lot of blows. Without specific training, everything hurts incredibly. Your back, your knees and your arms of course. Avoiding cramping while driving is really not as simple as it sounds. When my racing days were over, I gave away my 125cc to a promising pilot from the area. He wasn't well off and he was still able to race.”
Even during your career you rode motocross races?
De Vlaeminck: “Crazy, huh? I know, it wasn't actually allowed! I still remember that I raced two heats in Middelkerke and then I had to ride another criterium at five o'clock. I had done well that day, as I had always finished in the top three. The racing afterwards was a different story! That day was not worth repeating, I can tell you! (laughs) Who knows, maybe I would have become a better motocross rider?”
Above is a piece from the newspaper about the BLB motocross for cyclists in De Vlaeminck's own municipality of Eeklo in 1981. A competition that he won, by the way.
Bicycle wholesaler and importer of wheel products Bowdy & Brave has revived the bicycle brand associated with Roger De Vlaeminck, called “Roger”, for several years. The Belgian brand focuses mainly on personalization, allowing you to create your own dream bike. More information about these racing bikes you can find here.
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Lieve Bosschaert & FB Group BLB Motorcross, archive, Rogerdevlaeminck.be
Also to read
VIDEO: Qualy Highlights MXGP Portugal 2024
During the fifth Grand Prix of the season, Liam Everts (MX2) and Tim Gajser (MXGP) will start from pole positions. The current World Cup leaders had a difficult match because Kay de Wolf…Gajser narrowly takes pole ahead of Herlings, Prado P7
Tim Gajser took pole position during the fifth race of the FIM MXGP World Championship. The Honda rider (photo) wins the qualifying race ahead of Jeffrey Herlings and Romain Febvre. Brian Bogers and…Everts takes pole in Agueda ahead of Elzinga
The fifth “RAM Qualifying Race” of the season was won by Liam Everts. The Belgian rider wins pole for the Portuguese Grand Prix by a wide margin. Rick…Valk the best mud master in Agueda
Under very wet conditions, Cas Valk won the first round of the third race of the European 250cc Championship. The KTM rider managed to…
Your reactions