Mathias Van Hoof ends his enduro career
After much deliberation, Herental Husqvarna enduro pilot Mathias Van Hoof (28) has decided to end his active enduro career. Van Hoof started in 2014 with a Belgian title in the entry class of the BK enduro. He then won gold at the ISDE and a vice world title in the EnduroGP World Cup open class.
Although he started late in motorsport, Mathias proved that he was certainly made of the right (enduro) cloth. The ex-BMX rider won many races, wore out piles of tires and happily put in countless hours of hard training into his sport. Now it is time for him to take a different path.
Mathias Van Hoof: “With a lump in my throat, after a few sleepless nights and difficult moments, I made a decision. From this year 2022 I will no longer actively participate in the Belgian, European or World Cup open enduro. This is actually due to a combination of circumstances that led to this decision. After losing the World Cup Open title in 2020, I had a difficult period. I was sick of this for weeks, losing with equal points after the last match in Portugal. Still, I had found motivation for the new season. However, at that moment I had chosen professionally to become 100% self-employed. This made training, traveling, organizing and competing much more difficult. Resulting in that serious crash during training in June 2021. Due to the hip dislocation I woke up without feeling my left leg. No feeling in my leg for more than 3 days, but in the end this was almost fine. This had already made me think at the time, but the hunger was still too great. “
During the preparation for the new season, things went wrong again in Spain training. A fracture in the radius, resulting in surgery with a plate and 6 screws. This was one crash too much. Meanwhile, after his first year, Mathias founded his own company in mechanical and turbine maintenance at large industrial companies. This is done through a collaboration with the company Vlmontage in Lebbeke.
“Yes, that crash in Spain was the deciding factor,” Mathias explains. “I just can't find the time anymore to prepare properly, let alone train. Then you can no longer compete at a high level and therefore this decision. I will be abroad for longer periods this year for my job, which makes riding a full championship impossible. Every now and then I will train or do an enduro tour with friends, that passion will never go away.
Those 7 years that I was active were really fantastic years, and... I am still proud of the things I have achieved. In Belgium, 2 times Belgian champion, vice champion and won many races. In the EnduroGP: 7 World Cup open victories, Vice champion and 3rd in the final classification. But also gold & silver on the ISDE. I think I have left my footprint in enduro and that was always a big goal for me. I would also like to thank everyone who has supported me through all these years! Certainly both my parents, mechanic, helpers, friends, sponsors, supporters. One by one, these were of significant value to me, allowing me to do what I loved: enduro riding. Thank you all without you this would not have been possible!”
From now on, I will focus entirely on my job and company with the same courage and 110% commitment that I have always had for my enduro sport. You will certainly see me at MX or enduro competitions, but on the other side of the ribbon; )!!
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