Exclusive interview Jeremy Van Horebeek
When Jeremy Van Horebeek (31) was announced as leader of the brand new Beta SDM Corse factory team, many eyebrows were raised. Enduro specialist Beta in the MXGP? However, The Jerre showed with great results in the Italian internationals that the RX450 was born under a favorable star.
After two races, the Brabant Limburger is joint third in the MX1 and fourth in the so-called Supercampionato. At Beta they are understandably over the moon. This is nothing new for Jeremy because since the birth of his two sons, Nyo and Jaxen, life has been smiling at him. High time for an interview with the ex-MX of Nations champion!
To what extent has fatherhood changed your life as a sportsman?
Jeremy Van Horebeek: “That's the best thing there is, having children. I also have to say that it's not too bad. They are very strong, they sleep even with little worry! It's not as heavy as I expected. Motocross is still my life, I love riding and the kids motivate me even more now. That is only positive!”
And you immediately had twins?
From Horebeek: “That's true, but the advantage is that they are in the same rhythm. They usually go to sleep around 11am, which works out well for me as it is my last bedtime. Then they sleep well until about 00:8 am, so you can start the day with a fresh head!”
Did fatherhood play a role in your decision whether you would continue as a professional rider?
From Horebeek: “After I knew I was going to stop at SR Honda, I wasn't immediately looking for something else. It had all been good for me. In itself it was not actually necessary because there is also life after the cross. Especially when you see what goes on in some teams when it comes to attracting drivers... That's a bit ridiculous in my opinion. Unexpectedly I received a call from Beta and I told myself that I would try it first. Then I started testing with their MX prototype, and the first impression was immediately positive. The conditions were also good, which made it twice as positive! However, the financial aspect was certainly not the deciding factor. I had already decided that for myself in advance. If the engine were not satisfactory or there was no future in the project, then it would not be necessary for me. But I certainly see a lot of future in the Beta MXGP project. Even in the few months that the new engine has been available, they have made a lot of progress.”
What reference did you use to compare the engine?
From Horebeek: “The last two years I drove a Honda, so that was my point of comparison. I actually find it much easier to steer with the Beta. The frame also performs much better than that of an old Honda. I have never ridden the new CRF450R so I cannot compare that. But in terms of handling there is a night and day difference with my old Honda. It's crazy how different that feels! In terms of engine, they have no experience in motocross so that is all new. That still takes some searching, but the basis is very good. The main work. are now our starts, a lot will depend on that. But other than that it already looks great.”
Then it is probably a blessing in disguise for you that the GP season starts later. This way you will have more time to get everything ready.
From Horebeek: “For us that is indeed perfect. We completed our preparation in Sardinia and we decided to also participate in the matches of the Italian championship. Not with the intention to perform immediately, but to gather important information. As you say, the adjustments in the calendar also give us more time to further develop in the run-up to the first GP.”
It seems that Beta has found the perfect rider in you for this project. Someone with a name and experience, who can still achieve strong results, but can also provide technical input.
From Horebeek: “I can compare the feeling with the Yamaha Rinaldi team. A very family feeling. We also get along very well with Fabrizio Dini, the enduro team manager. He used to ride World Motocross Championships and so he knows what we are talking about. That feels very good and everyone is super motivated. Beta's CEO, Lapo Bianchi, is also very modest and accessible. Communication at Beta is also very fast. Ultimately you are only in contact with three people. It's not like a big factory, where you have to ask 100 people to get something done. So all lines run directly, and everything is made in-house in the factory in Italy. In that respect it is really a factory team. Nothing we are working on is currently for sale, it is purely a prototype. I think that is very nice to experience, to contribute to this. I signed a two-year contract, although I think that will be my last two years. I want to put all my energy into this for another two years, then there is another life waiting for me.”
As a factory driver you were a permanent fixture in the top five, and in the last two seasons you have still performed strongly as the best private driver in the World Cup. In terms of results, will you have to adjust your expectations with a completely new engine?
From Horebeek: “I know it will take time before everything is in order. But the basics are absolutely not bad. I think a lot of people will be pleasantly surprised. As I said, it remains to be seen how efficient we will be at the start. But in terms of driving it is already very good. Of course, I also know my own sporting values. At the moment that is just the top 10 in the MXGP. In recent years there have always been so many fast riders! Okay, with Clément Desalle and Gautier Paulin having retired, there are two fewer top players, but others will take their place. I have nothing left to prove, although I do know that with a good start and with my level I can reach the top 5 anyway. It is clear that I am dependent on the evolution of the engine. But I'm not afraid of that.”
Is it true that there are people involved in this project who you knew from your time at Rinaldi?
From Horebeek: “No, actually not, but you can compare it in terms of mentality. Chipa, who used to be my mechanic at Rinaldi, is a good friend of Fabrizio Dini. That might have made everything a little easier. The basis of course comes from Beta. On the other hand, there are suppliers who have followed me. Such as Kayaba for the suspensions and HGS for the exhausts. And there are a few more partners. That's very nice to hear that people still want to participate in this project!”
Had Beta somehow already come onto your radar due to their strong performance in enduro?
From Horebeek: "No actually not. In recent months I have not been involved in motocross at all. The first contact was made via SDM Corse. It is also a real factory team, but Beta did not have the time to do everything themselves. And this was an ideal combination, because SDM Corse had the structure, the mechanics and the experiences in motocross.”
Have you come to appreciate tuning and developing an engine more over the years or has that always been your thing?
From Horebeek: “In fact, engine tuning is the most important work of the entire year. In the past we have sometimes made mistakes at Rinaldi. Everything seemed to be going well in the winter period until you arrive at the first GP. Then it turned out that we had been working in completely the wrong direction. That is why I am indeed very focused on it, but you also have to have the means to do it. There have been huge limitations in that regard at SR Honda over the past two years. It was very clear what we had to do and that was it. The space for development was very limited. These are not actually limits, you are at the source at the factory itself. Beta is aware of the costs and does not make a fuss about it. For example, they made an adjustment to the engine with a special piece. That was important for enduro but not applicable in motocross. They made it themselves with a CNC machine. Of course that is a big difference between a private team and a factory structure. As a driver that is of course also fun. You just have to ask and to the extent that it is possible, it will be carried out.”
Did you notice that drive during your second testing session with the changes made based on your feedback?
Van Horebeek: “Yes, certainly. The evolution from the first to the second engine were not small steps, on the contrary. The basis was rather simple, based on their enduro experiences. When you see where they are now, it is quite impressive. With a few more small steps it will even look very good. The biggest challenge is undoubtedly electronics. They have no experience with that yet and that is really a must in the MXGP these days. So we certainly have to develop and search further.”
Is the dirt bike engine derived from the enduro?
From Horebeek: “No, not, because Beta didn't have a 450cc engine at all. They already had a 430cc and a 480cc. Beta had to make that 450cc completely from scratch. The chassis is also a new development. Only the plastic and the fuel tank come from the enduro, everything else is prototype. What we are still riding with for the time being is certainly not the engine with which we will ride GPs.”
A factory engine is not always necessarily better. In your interview op Gate drop you indicated that for the 2014 season there was little interest in the Yamaha factory bike in the MXGP in terms of riders. The results of Frossard and Roelants were disappointing in 2013, which made many drivers reluctant.
From Horebeek: “That's right, several riders were not keen to go to Yamaha. Because the previous engine was so bad and needed a new engine for 2014. However, for me it immediately felt good. With a factory team you always feel the pressure to perform. The atmosphere is more fun in a private team, but in retrospect that is not entirely correct. Because you quickly find out that it is not possible to change certain things in a private team. Now I am in a pleasant position. Everything is allowed and nothing is required at this time. You can't expect that an engine they started working on barely five months ago will now be completely finished. That's impossible, they know that at Beta too. However, thanks to my experience, things are going faster than they expected.”
How's your Italian by the way?
From Horebeek: “Pretty good actually. I understand just about everything that is said. I also manage to express myself quite well. I had already learned a lot from my period with Michele Rinaldi, which was a bit diluted, but now I am picking up the thread again. That is also a nice aspect because communication is different than in English or French... I also really enjoy fatherhood. I can't say it any other way, my life is very chill now. If you can do what you like to do. You got paid for it and you have a family. That is simply ideal! The intention is that the children go to the competitions as much as possible. Fortunately, they handle traveling very well and are good sleepers. However, I don't see any point in putting them on a path as a motocross rider. I don't see much future for them in that. I'd rather see them do something else. Of course I want them to be successful, but it is still very early to know which direction they are going.”
Some developments, including the closing of circuits, are certainly not positive. You previously mentioned the financial situation in the Motocross World Championship. But it seems like you've gotten rid of some things. Because you can't change them, right?
From Horebeek: “I'm not concerned with all that anymore. I like to cross, that's what I prefer to do. All the negativity surrounding the sport... I am very neutral about that. I know motocross is broken in Belgium, but that's just the way it is. I'm really not concerned with that. There's no point in putting energy into that. That's why it's not a good idea for me to let my children race. What use will that do to them? While you have to stay positive and fight against it. But what will it bring? I don't think so. I am also a bit older, I will be 32 in November. I am not the youngest in the cross world. This is different for the new generation. But what will the sport look like when my sons are 15 and they have to be there? What does motocross mean then? I certainly ask myself that question. The corona pandemic is also such a source of negativity. But rushing into this won't make any difference.”
Beta's CEO is an engineer himself and closely involved in this motocross project. How is that different from a top manager of, for example, a Japanese manufacturer?
From Horebeek: “You notice the passion, and it is also a family business that continues from generation to generation. Lapo is so motivated to make this project a success that they are also willing to invest. Beta is also running very well. They sell so well in enduro that they can barely keep up with deliveries. That is only positive for us. Beta is also looking further afield because they would even like to have a team in the US. Then you at least know that you will have to invest a few years to determine whether it works or not. Beta used to be a supplier to KTM. Afterwards their paths split, but they know exactly what to do. Lapo is very easy-going, when I talk to him it feels like I have known him for 20 years. That's the same family feeling I had with Michele Rinaldi. I'm in a good place here!”
Thanks for your time Jeremy, good luck!
From Horebeek: “You're welcome, see you later.”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Betamotor/Davide Messora/IG Jeremy Van Horebeek
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