Daniele Marchese (SDM Corse-Beta): “Deserving our place in MXGP!”
The brand new combination SDM Corse – Jeremy Van Horebeek proved the doubters wrong. In less than 7 months they developed a completely new dirt bike for the MXGP World Championship. The Jerre not only rode the Beta RX 450 to the intended goal, the top 10, he even finished seventh in Loket.
For team owner Daniele Marchese, the project with Beta was a step into limbo. For years the Italians competed with support from Yamaha. From 2017 to 2019, SDM Racing - in collaboration with David Philippaerts - ran the official Yamaha EMX250 team. Last year Ruben Fernandez relaunched his career with SDM Corse, finishing 9thde in the MX1 World Championship as one of the best private riders.
It is immediately noticeable that Daniele Marchese, although enthusiastic, is also very realistic. A big contrast to some other Italian projects in the past. Given the historically fierce competition - seven manufacturers are officially represented in the MXGP - there is one more thing to be said for the well-considered approach of the team from Varese.
Marquis: “We are very happy with the progress of our collaboration with Jeremy (Van Horebeek) and with Beta. We already knew that we were in the right direction due to the results in the Italian championship, but the first round of the World Cup in Russia provided confirmation. 'Jerre' had indicated in advance that Orlyonok is one of his least favorite jobs. As a result, expectations were somewhat tempered in advance. When you notice afterwards that Van Horebeek reaches a shared eighth place despite poorer starts, you know how high he sets his sights. That is motivating for everyone, for us as a team, for Beta.”
This season a conscious choice was made for one leader who can compete in the top 10 with a younger rider next to him. That was 22-year-old Jimmy Clochet (photo above). Clochet finished fifth in the French MX1 Championship in 2019 and won four of the six EMX Open series he entered last year. For the time being, things are not really working out for the French Beta rider. Clochet missed the opening match in Russia after suffering a concussion and injured right shoulder earlier in the season. After 7 GPs he is only 32nd with 4 points to his name.
Daniele Marchese: “We had hoped that Jimmy would develop a little faster, but the level in the MXGP is simply insanely high. Of course he has less experience than Van Horebeek and everything was new for him too. Thanks to Jimmy, we do receive a different type of feedback that is closer to that of the end customer that Beta has in mind. Van Horebeek has the vision of a top rider who rode with factory equipment for a long time, it is good to get input from two different rider profiles.”
Beta has been setting the tone in EnduroGP for several years with world champions Steve Holcombe and Brad Freeman. The fact that the manufacturer from Florence was able to establish a base in the MXGP so quickly is also the merit of sporting manager Fabrizio Dini (photo below). The tall Italian was a fixture in the 500cc World Championship, he finished 7thde in 200”, has been a test and development driver for Beta for many years. “We receive positive comments from every rider about how easy the bike is to steer. That was also what Van Horebeek immediately liked about the Beta RX 450 when he rode it for the first time. He didn't even know Beta as an engine manufacturer at all!” Dini laughs.
Although Beta already scores high in terms of stability with the beautifully balanced frame in combination with the Kayaba suspension, there is still work to be done to take the next step with the performance of the engine.
Daniele Marchese: “We know very well what we need to work on to get closer to the absolute top in MXGP. We regularly receive updates on the block from the factory. However, testing is a big problem right now. There is very little time between the GPs and the riders prefer to train in preparation for the next races. That is understandable, but due to the lack of time we sometimes have to try things during a GP. Moreover, there is also less time there because we only drive in one day.”
Although the disappearance of the Swedish and Finnish GPs now provides a breathing space, it is not obvious at the moment to integrate some parts quickly. After all, the impact of the corona crisis is still being felt by many technical suppliers.
“We actually expect the biggest evolution next winter when the factory can provide us with an important package of novelties. We are realistic enough to realize that we will not immediately start competing for GP victories. After all, you also need exceptional riders for that, but we have already shown that we certainly deserve our place in the MXGP paddock!”
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: Beta / Davide Messora
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