A conversation with Benoît Pauwels
If you frequent the AMPL circuits, you can't miss a rider who commands respect from novice motocross riders. Benoît Pauwels fights his opponents with only one arm. The farmer is passionate about his work and recently opened an off-road motorcycle repair shop.
Benoit Pauwels: “I always wanted to have a motorcycle, but my parents didn't want me to drive,” explains the 34-year-old father. “Then I lost my left arm in an accident on December 31, 1999. Less than a year after the accident, I bought a motorcycle for my father's birthday. But I have to admit that I managed to drive myself the next day. I simply changed the clutch and front brake… and I was away!”
So it was with only one arm that Benoît discovered the joys of off-road motorcycling. Until he started riding competitively. “My first race was not easy from a licensing point of view,” he explains. “I called all the federations in Belgium and the only one that accepted me was the VLB. Afterwards the other federations accepted me. I rode for the VCMF for more than 10 years when the VLB closed its doors.”
From now on, Benoît Pauwels will drive for the AMPL. “For a few years I no longer liked the tracks I rode on. I had the opportunity to train in Saint-Hubert and then I decided to get my license from the AMPL. I like the rolling, natural terrain with some facilities.”
“In 2008 and 2009 I was invited to the US to participate in the Extremity Games, a competition for the disabled. And in 2009 I had the opportunity to do an SX race at the X-Games, where I could meet the greatest American riders. It is an unforgettable memory,” he continues before thinking back on his two participations in the 12 Hours of La Chinelle. “I was able to do the Chinelle in 2008 and in 2018 thanks to my friend Bernard Stennier. These two were the hardest races of my life, especially the first one where we only had 2 riders.”
“Since 2020, I have opened my own workshop and created my own team with 10 riders riding in the colors of BP Racing. These 10 pilots were not chosen by chance, I was the victim of a robbery in 2020 and they were friends who supported me. And that's why I decided to create a team, because without their support I might not be where I am today. I have been supported by MX2008 since 477 and also by JV Suspension for 3 years. I can't thank my wife, my son and my godson enough who really follow me all the time during the races. And not to forget my friends and family who support me,” he concludes.
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