The MXGP paddock about Clément Desalle
Clément Desalle has been a reference in the MXGP for fifteen years, but this weekend the Garda Trentino GP marks the end of the Belgian's official career at the highest level. With twenty-three GP victories, thirty-five series wins and eighty-two podium finishes to his name, Clément is one of the most successful riders of his time.
Although he has never won a world title, he has finished in the top three an impressive six times, and in 2013 he won gold with the Belgian team at the Motocross of Nations. When Clement joined the Monster Energy Kawasaki Racing Team in 2016, he was one of the top riders in the discipline, capable of winning GPs and fighting for the title. For five seasons, he put all his energy into helping the team perform at the highest level and giving the factory the best advice to become even more competitive.
Despite some injuries during these five seasons, Clement has given the team excellent results with four GP wins, eighteen podium finishes and a silver medal in the MXGP World Championship in 2018. Clément, a native of La Louvière, a town between Mons and Charleroi nearby from the French border, made it official last month that he will end his career at the end of the last GP of the year, his fifteenth season as a professional rider. It will take place this weekend, at the end of the Garda Trentino MXGP race, at the Pietramurata circuit where he won in 2014 and where he achieved his most recent success last Sunday in the second series. Kawasaki and the Kawasaki Racing Team thank Clément for his investment over the past five years and wish him all the best for his future, both professionally and as a family.
Clement Desalle: "I have always had a good relationship with François (Lemariey), who was my mechanic earlier in my career, when I signed with Kawasaki I was happy to find him again. For me it has always been very important to be happy in my working environment and to have a good feeling with the people around me. I am proud of the work we have done together. Of course I would have liked to give Kawasaki more race wins, more podium finishes, more GP wins and a world title. After Latvia I asked myself some questions about my future, and I made my decision; before Spain I was convinced it was the right decision and so I announced that I would retire at the end of the year. Of course I will miss the race, but my passion for motocross is such that I will still ride. »
Giuseppe Luongo (Infront Moto Racing) : "Clément is one of the riders who has written the history of our sport over the past ten years, he was always at the top and fought for the podium every year. He is very talented, always with perfect lines making him one of the most difficult riders to pass. He has always behaved very well, both on and off the court. We will miss him very much, but we hope to see him again, like other champions who use their talent to help young people. We wish him the same success in his future life. »
Steve Guttridge (Kawasaki Europe Racing Manager): "Since joining the Kawasaki Racing Team in 2016, Clément has always behaved very professionally. We needed a top rider who could provide the team and factory with consistent and intelligent feedback to help us develop the KX450 in the best possible direction, and Clément has always given us his best, both in testing and racing, season after season. I think it's fair to say he's done a good job making our production model the best we've ever produced! All of us at Kawasaki would like to wish Clément and his family good health and happiness in the next phase of their lives, and we hope that he remains close to motocross in some form or another, a sport he loves so much. »
Thierry Chizat Suzzoni (Team Owner): "Clément is a character you have to get to know, and with him we have had five great seasons, with ups and downs. He has always been very professional within the team; he has offered us podiums, wins and a top 3 finish in the World Championship, I would say we remember only excellent things. He has a strong character, he is quite a gentleman in his behavior, but he is a good person, with a good state of mind, and we really enjoyed working with him. I think at some point, when you've been in the Queen's category for 15 years, you earn a big pension with your family. I know the dirt bike will always be his top priority, I think he made a wise decision and I respect that. »
François Lemariey (Team Manager): "We have known each other for a long time, we have become friends with whom we have experienced great things, starting with a podium win in 2003 in a private team, without many resources but with good memories, before meeting again at KRT in 2016 with the support of Kawasaki and Monster Energy. Clément has been racing in the MXGP for fifteen years and his experience has been valuable for the development of the engine he knows better than anyone, but also for the Dunlop tires. His presence has allowed the team to evolve, today he wants to turn the page and that is respected. What I've always liked about him is that he knows what he wants, and from there you know which way to go. He is a good guy, if there is a problem he talks about it straight away and that saves everyone time. He is an honest person! I'm not surprised by his decision, I felt it coming. »
Joel Smets: "It is a bit of a shame to see him retire, but it is true that he is 31 years old, that he rode in GP for fifteen seasons. He has had his good years, he is a hard worker, I think he has had a very good career and many riders can be jealous of his achievements. Winning 23 GPs is no small feat! It's a shame he never won a title, but he fought for the podium for a decade and that's no small feat! »
Antonio Cairoli: "I really enjoyed our second series in Arco last Sunday with Clément. It was just like five or ten years ago, when we fought together every weekend. It was great to see him fighting for the win again. It's a shame he won't be with us next year, but I really want to congratulate him on his great career, on behalf of myself and the team, and I wish him a good future. »
Jeffrey Herlings: "Congratulations on your great career! You were a true warrior, a fighter, always difficult to pass. Every time I came after you, I knew it would be hard! We've never really talked, but I have great respect for you. Enjoy the next chapter that opens for you. »
Mickael Pichon: "Bravo Clément for your fantastic career. The first time I crossed your path you gave me a crazy overtake in the German championship, I didn't know you and you had already impressed me. Of course I had the last word because you were so young, 17 years old. You will have had a wonderful career, a wonderful record of achievements, long life ahead of you and enjoy your little family. »
Kevin Strijbos: "Congratulations on your great career! Glad you had a teammate for a few seasons! We had a good time, a good laugh, we had some great fights together. Nothing will be the same without you. »
Photos: Kawasaki Racing Team
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