MXGP Mechanic: Julian van Essen
The riders are always in the spotlight. But no matter how good they are, the motocross bike cannot perform without a good mechanic. That's why we want to put a technician in the spotlight once a month. This month it is Julian van Essen!
MXMag: Introduce yourself:
JvE: “Hello, I am Julian van Essen, 20 years young and live in Lunteren in Gelderland, just north of Ede.”
MXMag: How did you get into motocross:
JvE: “I have been racing since I was little, and I have always ridden up to the 85cc. After that, I almost always went to training and competitions with my brother Twan van Essen. I then started working in two motorcycle shops to start working as an MXGP mechanic in 2020. Last year I worked for Marchetti Racing-KTM for Twan, who competed in the European 250cc Championship.”
MXMag: Which riders/teams have you worked for:
JvE: “Last season I worked for Marchetti Racing, which was my first year as a full-time mechanic. Before that, I have always attended the competitions as a 'volunteer' during the Dutch Masters of Motocross. Last season Twan drove for the German Falcon Motorsport and that's how I got a taste of it and moved with Twan to Marchetti Racing.”
MXMag: What is your position within your current team:
JvE: “I have been working at Hutten Metaal Yamaha Racing for a month now. There I will become a training and competition mechanic for Jeremy Sydow. The coming months will be all about testing for the coming season. After all, a title has to be defended.”
MXMag: Highlight as a mechanic:
JvE: “Actually last season with Twan, where we learned a lot together. After a lot of injuries, Twan has worked his way up in the EMX250 from narrowly qualifying to being firmly in the points! We were able to show some really good games in 2020.”
MXMag: Favorite Tool:
JvE: “The famous set of T-keys:
MXMag: Never stand in the pit lane without:
JvE: “The tool bag and the Pit Board.”
MXMag: Best pit board shout:
JvE: “Believe it, you can do this!”
MXMag: Prefers to tinker with two-stroke or four-stroke:
JvE: “My preference is 4-stroke.”
MXMag: Who is the world champion among mechanics:
JvE: “That is a difficult question, we have a great job, but it is also difficult because the days are often long. I think we are all champions!”
MXMag: Finest GP:
JvE: “I always think Lommel is a very nice GP, I always look forward to that. It would just make it a lot nicer with the public on the sidelines. It is hoped that this can be done everywhere again next year!”
MXMag:Thank you for your cooperation.
JvE: “You're welcome, and thank you for this interview.”
Door: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Photos: MXGP.com
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