Jeremy Van Horebeek about KRT, Yamaha and Beta
Jeremy Van Horebeek had a good spell in the MX2 World Championship but when he switched to 450cc in the MXGP World Championship his career went to the next level. After Kawasaki and Yamaha, JVH will switch to the brand new Beta Factory Team this year.
The Kawasaki Racing team was impressed with what they saw from “JVH” in MX2 and decided to sign him for his first MXGP experience. Despite starting with an injury, he improved tremendously as the season progressed. Factory Yamaha eventually signed him for 2014 and that's when Van Horebeek really got into shape.
Jeremy Van Horebeek: "It was a very good season (his rookie MXGP season with KRT), I had broken my finger but step by step I managed to work my way into the top five. Sometimes I had second place in the race, so it was great".
"I was really happy with Kawasaki, but then I got a really good deal from Yamaha with a lot of money for me. I went for it, no one wanted to go there with the bad results of the previous year with Frossard and Roelants. I went to Italy and tested the Yamaha, I was excited and went for it. The next year ended up being the best year of my career. I spent five years with Michele Rinaldi and it was wonderful“, said Van Horebeek.
In 2014, Van Horebeek turned many heads with his amazing consistency, something that is very difficult to achieve in MXGP but the Belgian did finish second in the World Championship. When he looks back on that year, he can be very proud of what he has achieved.
"I was still young and that season you had big names like Desalle, Cairoli and a lot of big guns. Everything went very easy for me that year, I was super fit and I had a great feeling with the bike. Nowadays you always have to change things with the bike because the tracks become so difficult, but back then everything was normal and it felt good. I was second in the championship, I was close, but someone like Tony Cairoli, it's not easy to beat him (laughs). He was great, I'm really happy and grateful that I became vice world champion in my career. Not many guys can say that".
Looking back on 2014, he managed to win in Loket when he passed Antonio Cairoli with two laps to go for the Grand Prix victory! “Just the way I won it, that was the most satisfying. We were on stage every weekend, Tony, myself and a few other guys. With two laps to go it was the man who would win the series would also win the GP, I felt really good that day".
"I haven't won much in my career because I sometimes rode too conservatively, but that is personal. But that day I really went for it, it was two really long laps because Tony kept the pressure on until the last lap. I did it and the way I did it, it was a really nice victory. It was the last one, but a nice one (laughs)".
Heading into the 2021 season, Van Horebeek seemed to be facing an uncertain future, but he signed a deal with Beta, a new player in the sport – exciting times! The Belgian aims to become a consistent top ten rider, just like last year. “At the moment there is still a lot of work to do, but the plan will be to become a top ten rider like last year. Maybe I can even get some top five results, that would be great. It is important to take it step by step, I don't know if we will be ready for that at the first GP but that is certainly the goal".
“Nowadays, if you ride at the top in the MXGP class, you are really a high-ranking rider because there are so many talented, fast and good riders because of the age limit (in MX2). I would really be happy with top ten results together with Beta, but it may take some time, we'll see.” Heading into 2021, it is certainly an exciting time with a new brand in the paddock. Hopefully they can have some success in MXGP and stay in the paddock for a few more years.
Articles: Andy McKinstry
Photos: Cabro and archive mxmag
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