Five minutes with Patrick Bellon
Jack-of-all-trades Patrick Bellon was active as a (meritorious) amateur motocross rider for 27 years. Most may know him as the driving force behind Alpha Motorhomes MX Team and the famous Alpha Motorhopes Champions Day. Nowadays he mainly focuses on the bicycle, son Damon is starting his first year as a junior.
Jens Getteman, Dimitri van de Sanden, Jonas Salaets, Michael Bruynininckx, Ian de Sweemer, they all once rode for Alpha Motorhomes MX Team. When Patrick Bellon sets out for something, he is fully committed! Photographer Gino visited Dolci Belloni, the tearoom of Patrick's wife Carolien Segers, a while ago and spoke with the enthusiastic Waaslander. Of course, after tasting the very original S72 Gin sorbet. So motocross is far from forgotten in the Bellon household!
Briefly introduce yourself:
Patrick Bellon: “My name is Patrick Bellon, I am (already) 49 and live with my wife and three children Damon, L'aurora and Elisa in Sinaai.”
What do you do for your daily sandwich these days?
Bellon: “The same thing I've been doing for a long time! I have been a dock worker in the port of Antwerp for 25 years. I am also still concerned about Alpha Motor's PRhomes in sports. I also help where possible at Proximus Alpha Motorhomes Cycling team, I follow up the support for the Alpecin-Fenix team (including Mathieu van der Poel) and am also involved in the Iko Crelan youth cyclo-cross academy for which Damon now rides.”
You stay busy!
Bellon: "Beats! I always work the early shift and luckily I have time to do something on the side. My wife has been running a Tearoom/Ice Cream Parlor in Sinaai for a while now and I sometimes join in there as well. We make everything ourselves: fresh ice cream, pancakes, waffles, but also pastries, birthday cakes to order and of course delicious coffee or tea. In terms of sport, my heart, just like before, still lies with youth guidance. In that respect, the Iko Crelan youth cyclocross academy is a wonderful project. It is a team of 8 young riders who are guided by experienced cracks such as Adri van der Poel and Bart Wellens. This way, young talent gets every opportunity to grow.”
How do you look back on your motocross career?
Bellon: “Gosh, I obviously don't have the track record of some of the others in this section! That in itself is not so spectacular. On the other hand, I am satisfied with what I have achieved sportingly, given my capabilities. I started with the youth in 1984, that was in Axel on a Suzuki RM80. At that time it was still midweek cross racing. Then I moved up in the different categories. First BLB then MCLB and BMB. In the 90s I participated in the 125cc World Championship for two years. Participated where possible, I mean, because I especially wanted to get a taste of that experience and qualifying was an enormous satisfaction in itself. Especially because I did everything alone, with very limited resources.”
What was the highlight of your career?
Bellon: “In 2001 I was Inters B champion at the MCLB, so I was regularly in the top 3 in the enthusiast associations. The best part was my participation in the World Championships for veterans in 2011. Purely for fun, of course. I rode among ex GP riders and was able to do well. In total I rode half of the championship, 3 races and came 15th in the final standings. I was very pleased that I came 9th in Lommel. When you compete later in life, you notice how different it is. You learn to put everything into perspective. You don't rush into it so hard from the start and you also drive more calculatedly. Even when I go driving now, it is much more safe and you are calmer.”
What was the low point of your career?
Bellon: “As with everyone, certainly: the injuries. Especially if you have bad luck early after winter preparation and are out for two months, it will be hard. I think for every rider, whether you ride GPs or are purely amateur. Fortunately, I was spared from major injuries. In my case it was limited to something like a wrist, ankle or fibula fracture.”
Best motorcycle ever ridden?
Bellon: “I have always had a soft spot for Suzuki, but I have mostly ridden Honda. Honda stands for quality and security, I have always felt good about it.”
How do you view the motocross world now?
Bellon: “Of course I still follow it and a lot has changed. There has been a lot of professionalization. What I think is a shame is that you should also be able to taste a World Cup as an amateur. Now those opportunities for youth have completely disappeared. I think that young riders get fewer opportunities. It used to be possible to take your chance to qualify. That has now become much more difficult, and budgets have also increased enormously. The EMX125 and EMX250 are very nice, but 300 euros registration per race is not small. Ultimately, it is mainly the parents who have to bear that burden.”
How do you look back on the Alpha Motorhomes MX Team you ran?
Bellon: “Somehow I regret that we didn't continue with it. I have put my heart and soul into it. To organize everything sportingly as best as possible. Yet you also have to be realistic. Many, if not all, companies sponsor a youth team because they want it. Judging solely on performance is difficult because you are talking about young pilots who still have to develop. Some talents are more likely to recognize the importance of hard work and a good attitude. Others are not serious enough. That's the case in every sport.”
It is also difficult to keep sponsors motivated for a youth project. Usually the real return only comes years later when the athlete in question breaks through as a professional.
Bellon: "That's true. Of course, these young boys are not yet performing consistently, with the exception of a few top performers. But then the return is rather limited. That is why it is important that you can also offer sponsors something in a different way. For example, by inviting them as guests, which is what we did at the Keiheuvel in Balen. Sponsors can eat and drink something, have a great day and also see the top riders ride. To successfully run a youth project, you naturally also need support from the federation. In that respect, the situation in Belgium was and is very difficult. In any case, I am happy with what I have been able to do in motocross.”
Click here for more information about Tearoom/gelateria Dolci Belloni. Until further notice, the only place in the world where you can go for S72 Gin sorbet. Highly recommended! Just say you were sent by Gino from MXMag 😉
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Gino Maes
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