Major Belgian contribution to EnduroGP France
The EnduroGP World Championship starts at the end of next week in Requista, France. The strong performances of Antoine Magain (intro photo) and Matthew Vanoevelen had already encouraged Mathias Van Hoof to start in the new World Cup open class last year. No fewer than 12 Belgian riders have registered for Requista!
In addition to Magain, Vanoevelen and Van Hoof, there are 9 other Belgians on the start list of the first GP. Unprecedented amount, although the lack of national competitions will not be surprising, but still. It goes without saying that everyone is hungry for competitions. But the results of the past few months and the excellent performance of the Belgians during the ISDE last year confirm the upward trend.
“You can safely say that some boys can start next week with ambitions,” explains ISDE team manager Wim Vanderheyden. “During the first two races of the highly regarded Italian championship, Antoine Magain (Sherco Factory Racing) achieved the podium in E3 during 4 of the 1 days of competition. Antoine thus proves that the transition from the Junior category to the big boys will not be a problem. What's more, to be honest, I expect him to join the top 3!”
Matthew Vanoevelen (Husqvarna Belgium) has also proven several times in recent years that he has the speed and technique to compete at the top of the junior class. He also showed that in Italy. “If Matthew gets regularity in his performance, anything is possible,” Vanderheyden explains.
Erik Willems is making progress
Former EMX300 topper Erik Willems (Husqvarna Belgium) was also working in Italy. He showed that his extensive and focused training over the past few months was paying off. “He showed great things in both the cross tests and the enduro tests,” Vanderheyden explains. “His focus, however, remains the X-treme tests. That is why he left for France a week early to complete the first test of the national championship this weekend. My expectations are that he will be on the podium at least once before the end of the season. Next year he could go all out for the win in the EnduroGP junior class.”
After his strong performance last year, Mathias Van Hoof (Husqvarna Belgium) can start with the ambition to go all out for the win in the open four-stroke class!
Dietger Damiaens exchanges MX for enduro!
Following Erik Willems, Dietger Damiaans now also opted for Enduro. The former Belgian motocross champion brings great basic speed as an asset. Wim Vanderheyden: “It will now be important for Dietger to remain patient and learn the trade step by step and make progress in the x-treme tests. If he completes the entire program, I can see him doing well before the end of the season.
Furthermore, the young one Mika Vanderheyden planning to contest the entire championship to gain speed and experience at international level. He also competes in the open 4-stroke class. In addition to Mathias Van Hoof, Dietger Damiaens and Mika Vanderheyden, Ludovic Bral, Kevin Thomas, Dorian Tourneur, Florian Tichoux, Martin Valenduc and Quentin Vinken will also compete in the World Cup class in France.
Photos: CC Pictures, IG Erik Willems & Dietger Damiaens
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