Five minutes with Klaas Hattem (Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha)
The 2020 season announced itself in a big way for Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha. The Dutch MXGP switched from Kawasaki to Yamaha. With the trio Alessandro Lupino-Calvin Vlaanderen-Thomas Covington and the status as a 'Yamaha Supported MXGP Team', the team also showed itself to be more ambitious than ever. How does team manager Klaas Hattem experience the forced corona break?
Everything looked fine before the season, Gebben Van Venrooy was never stronger than now. That must make this period extra difficult for you?
Klaas Hattem: “That's right, everything seemed so beautiful. A different color, new riders, fantastic sponsors who all believed in it, and then suddenly it stops. The world is on fire and everything seems unreal! Uncertainty for everyone and the sport has temporarily become unimportant.”
How did you initially deal with the quarantine measures and the cancellation of races?
Hattem: “We have immediately banned the riders from continuing motorcycle training. This is to exclude all risks. The management of Gebben Van Venrooy Yamaha has come together to create an action plan as far as possible. The riders were sent back home immediately. Alessandro Lupino went back to Italy. Thomas Covington left for England and Calvin Vlaanderen was at home in the Netherlands.”
Although it was not possible to drive, did that mean that all team activity came to a standstill?
Hattem: “In fact, we immediately agreed to continue the technical development. Partly to rule out the problems we had in Valkenswaard in the future. The development mainly takes place in the US at Pro Circuit, and work could continue there at the time. The mechanics in the workshop also continue to work in a responsible manner as much as possible. We will have everything ready for the possible restart of the season.”
We have already seen videos of Calvin Vlaanderen and Alessandro Lupino in training. Does this mean the team returns to a more normal situation?
Hattem: “After a few weeks of rest, the riders indeed have the opportunity to resume motorcycle training. The riders still have to adhere to a protocol, which differs per country but which still gives them some freedom. In the meantime, the team is also building additional engines. This is because the possible new calendar could cause logistical problems.”
A new calendar has now been released, how do you view it?
Hattem: “It is still a very uncertain time for everyone. Will there be any more competitions? What will the (final) calendar look like? But priority number one in the near future is to see how we can return to a somewhat normal world in a healthy way. Time will tell!"
Photos: Eric Laurijssen, Niek Photography
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