Cyril Genot: “Unforgettable experience!”
The 2021 season had many highlights for Cyril Genot (Sarholz KTM). The 22-year-old Limburger won his first ever ADAC MX Masters round, was in the running for the German title until the last race and made a successful MX of Nation debut. In Mantova, the Nations rookie stood out for his regularity.
Despite Team Belgium's bad draw, Genot qualified 13th in the MXGP. On Sunday he put in a very strong first heat in which he finished sixth. He also finished sixth in the final standings, together with Brent Van Doninck and Liam Everts, out of 31 participating countries
When Johan Boonen appointed you as a replacement for Jeremy Van Horebeek, it was a major surprise!
Cyril Genot: “It was for me too! After the ADAC season came to an end, I again had to look for my next goals. Fortunately, the call came asking if I wanted to participate. Then I had another week and a half to train and work towards the Nations!”
The Motocross of Nations is and remains a special competition, have you noticed anything about that?
Enjoyment: “Certainly, the atmosphere around this event is great. The special equipment, the press conference and team presentation beforehand. It is wonderful to experience all this. I enjoyed it a lot and to defend the Belgian colors in such an important match motivated me enormously!”
On paper, Belgium had an additional asset; three riders who perform well on a sandy surface.
Enjoyment: “That's the general idea about Mantova, but the circuit in general was quite hard and slippery. Of course there was more mud on Sunday due to the heavy rain. I felt better and better on the track every session and that gave me a lot of confidence.”
To everyone's surprise, Belgium was second for the decisive race. That heat ended up being an anticlimax because both you and Brent Van Doninck got into trouble.
Enjoyment: “That's the least you can say. After a good first series came a very unfortunate second series. I made a stupid mistake while hanging in the top 10 again and my knee hit the clutch lever and broke completely. A little while later I stopped the bike and was hit again. Leaving in that mud without a clutch lever was no longer possible. Of course the frustration is enormous as we had the opportunity to reach the podium. Something that no one would have dared to gamble on beforehand.”
What does the last part of the season look like for you?
Enjoyment: “The next GPs are still a question mark for the time being. I would personally like to start, but unfortunately it is not all that easy both financially and in terms of support for MXGP races.”
What is the bottom line of these First Nations for you?
Enjoyment: “In the end it was a successful weekend for me, mechanical problems are part of the sport. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible. First and foremost Johan Boonen for giving me this opportunity, the entire Team Belgium, Sarholz KTM, Benzim, Garage Piraux, Bihr, Scott Benelux, Chateau Antiémont, 6D Helmets, Pro Sports Alliance, FXR, …”
Tekst: Editorial office
Photos: Gino Maes
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