Five minutes with Kay Karssemakers
When former 65cc youth world champion Karssemakers switched to 125cc, expectations were high. His first two seasons did not bring the hoped-for results. In the fold of the new Husqvarna-SKS Racing Team NL project, the 17-year-old from Boxtel fully developed this season. He achieved his first EMX125 podium and took bronze in his last youth World Championship.
The conditions were quite special in Greece, the old school hard track in Megalopolis, the leaden heat.
Kay Karssemakers: “I could deal with the heat quite well. Actually, it didn't bother me that much. Just to get used to it, I also traveled to Greece earlier than usual. Also in 2015 at the Junior World Championships in Spain it was above 40° C and then I became champion. Now I came third, so I don't think those circumstances deter me.”
Did you feel like it was now or never to end your career in the FIM Junior World Championship with flying colors?
Karssemakers: “No, not that, it's just a competition like any other. I just wanted to look good and do my best. I did that too. Without those two mistakes I made in the first moto and one in the second moto it could have ended even better, but I am satisfied with that third place.”
Your EMX125 podium in Maggiora must have been a lot of fun. It took a while to get the ball rolling on the 125cc and now it's running well.
Karssemakers: "Certainly. Everything in the Husqvarna-SKS Racing Team NL is well organised. Everything goes according to plan, the team spirit is great and the material is also great. I am very satisfied with the team and that is reflected in the results. Switching to the EMX250 was an option, but together with the team we decided to do EMX125 for another year. With the intention of driving for the best possible result. In general we are doing well, I am now third in the European Championship, slightly behind second. I will keep fighting and training to go for that podium or more again.”
Since this year you have also been staying full-time at the Papendal top sports center, how does that work?
Karssemakers: “I train there five days a week, three times a day. Everything is super organized there too, physio, sports massage. Everything you need to perform is available. I have driven for good teams before, but this season the whole picture is perfect. I also knew that with SKS Husqvarna the material would be great. The combination of the KNMV with the team is going really well. I think it's a really great project. Everyone is satisfied and is doing their best for that joint result. The specialization of the support is certainly an added value. Barry Forschelen is my motorcycle training, at Papendal I work with my physical trainer Michel.”
In the meantime you also made your debut in the EMX250 in Oss. You immediately achieved a great result. How do you look back on that?
Karssemakers: “I actually went there with not much expectation. I just wanted to enjoy the ride and that's how it turned out. In the timed training I came fifth, which was very good for my first EMX250. That gave me a good starting place. In the first moto I was around 14de I lost a spot, but after the first round I was already 7thde which was great. Too bad I made a mistake and fell. Then I'm 16de ended. My start in the second moto was great. I was third in the first corner but got boxed in and dropped back to eleventh place. After that I got into my rhythm and rode to P7 with good times. Then I made quite a big mistake and fell off hard. Fortunately without much problem. However, it would have been nice to have two top 10s. Now I was 15de In total, that wasn't bad for a first EMX250.”
Will you continue with the same structure in the EMX250 next year?
Karssemakers: “That's right, I'm having a good time at SKS. Everything with Papendal and the KNMV remains the same, so that is also nice. As far as I'm concerned, there is no reason to change.”
In the 65cc and 85cc you showed great promise and the results came almost automatically, while the past two seasons in the 125cc, first with Diga Racing KTM and last year with MJC Yamaha, were rather difficult. As a result, criticism arose here and there.
Karssemakers: “I don't really care about what other people say. In one ear, out the other, as I say. Everyone always has something to say. I just listen to the people I trust and who know. What is said then… Oh well, I know better.”
What areas do you still need to improve on to take the next step?
Karssemakers: “On the 125cc there are not that many work points anymore. Of course we will continue to work to improve and get the most out of it. For next year on the 250 I would like to gain some more strength and also continue to work on my physique. Fitness itself is one of my strengths. I want to be able to start the season as strongly as possible for next season.”
Do you now train on the 250 in between or how does that work?
Karssemakers: “Absolutely, I also trained a lot on the 250 last winter in Spain. Actually the intention was to ride the 250 in the Dutch Masters. Unfortunately, they have been canceled of course. That's why I train on the 250 when there are no EMX125 races coming up.”
Talents are always compared with each other or with predecessors. In the Netherlands, Kay De Wolf stands out because of what he has already shown in his first MX2 GP season. You have competed against each other a lot, how do you feel about that?
Karssemakers: “Of course it is nice to be standing where Kay is now. His performance doesn't surprise me either. He has had a very nice journey, first with Jacky Martens and now with Kay Hennekens van Negaan. There is also a bit of luck involved, but he also makes it happen. He is also in a very good team with the Husqvarna factory team. How I would have fared - and whether it would have gone just as well - if I had followed the same route is an open question. So I'm not really concerned with those kinds of comparisons. I look at myself, at my own plan and I just complete it. That's going well now and then we'll see where we end up.”
Last year you were in a French team, MJC-Yamaha, which was perhaps slightly different from what you were used to?
Karssemakers: “They all had good people on the team, anyway. However, communication was a bit difficult at times. In terms of engines it was… Not like this year, I'll just leave it at that. I am very happy that I now join Husqvarna-SKS Racing Team NL is there because everything is really great there. From the team to the KNMV, all the sponsors too, I am just very grateful to who I can work with now. This certainly includes my mechanic Ronald Van Liere. He is always there for me and always works hard, even during the week. It's great to be able to count on someone like that. “
Thank you for your time.
Karssemakers: "Don't mention it!
Tekst: Tom Jacobs
Photos: CDS, IG Kay Karssemakers, MXGP, Niek Kamper
Also to read
VIDEO: A walk through the paddock in Philadelphia
Tonight, round 14 of the AMA Supercross will be held in Philadelphia. Our American colleagues from MXA walked through the pits to photograph all the bikes, and we…Phil Nicoletti is quitting
Phil Nicoletti has decided to end his career after this season. The American (35) will finish this season with Team Club MX-Yamaha-Muc Off and then after…Tiny van Erp passed away
Earlier this week, Tiny van Erp passed away. De Brabander made a name for himself in the motocross world for decades with TvE Sport and he was also closely involved in the Grand Prix...VIDEO: Inside MXGP and the Yamaha riders' race in Trentino
Inside MXGP is at round four of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Trentino, Italy. And in Yamaha's white and pink anniversary colors in honor of 50 years of YZ! “You thought that…
Your reactions