Coupe De L'Avenir 2022 by team manager Robert Gielis
Already on Friday evening, most Team Belgium riders were present on the circuit, which was in beautiful condition. However, the weather forecast was not so good for the weekend. Rain was forecast. During the night from Friday to Saturday there was indeed a lot of rain over the region with also a lot of wind. However, this turned out to be no problem for the circuit. It remained perfect.
After the technical inspection, the free practices started in the afternoon. We noticed that a number of drivers were somewhat impressed by the team events. They are not used to riding in a team, different shirts, unknown course, etc. This certainly improved in the timed training and in the qualifying series that ended the day.
Our Belgian team qualified 65th in the 6cc classde. Sacha Goblet started well, but due to a mistake he finished 13thde inside. Timéo Mohring, together with the later winner Viktor Leppala (Finland), was blocked behind the starting gate. He rode well from the last position to 12thde cutting. Zani Vanoirbeek had thrown his stage fright from the training overboard and arrived at the age of 28.th over the measure. This resulted in a decent 6de place in the country rankings of the qualifying series. This later turned out to be important, see follow-up.
We were top favorites in 85cc. The training sessions went well. We made some mistakes in the qualifying series which resulted in a 4de place in the country rankings. This ranking determined the starting order for the next day. So not a disaster yet, but still a favorite as a top favorite.
We were also considered among the top favorites among the big boys. Lucas Coenen won the qualifying series with twin brother Sacha in 3rd place. Tias Callens did what he had to do with his 125cc moped and finished 20th.th On. We were the leader in the country classification, so good starting positions for the next day.
It started raining during the night from Saturday to Sunday and did not stop until late afternoon on Sunday. The circuit was transformed into a real mud pit. The conditions became more difficult and the competition program was adjusted. The international jury decided to cancel the 65cc series. It was irresponsible, and also impossible, to navigate through the mud with those small machines with small wheels. Too bad, especially for the riders who came from far away (Scandinavia, Portugal, Baltic States, etc.). But it was the only right decision. According to the regulations, the score of the qualifying series is then taken as the final score. This is how the French became the winner. Our Belgians still finished 6thde. For the 85cc's and the Big Boys it was decided to run 2 instead of 3 series.
In the 85cc class, the series was won by Josh Vail (GB) and Freddie Bartlett (Sweden). In the first series we got off to a good start for Seth Priem and Ian Ampoorter. They sat right at the front. Jarne Bervoets had only left half dressed. Seth Priem was able to maintain a strong position at the front and finished 5thde. Ian Ampoorter even climbed to second place. Jarne Bervoets rode a catch-up race, came to 4th, dropped back to 8th and finished 6thde. In the second series, all three of our riders were at the front. Seth Priem rode a nice race and came 3thde across the finish line. Ian Ampoorter dropped to 17de place to then advance back to the 8th place. Jarne Bervoets stayed at the front and clocked 2ndde off. Thanks to all these great results, Belgium became the final winner in the Coupe de l'Avenir 85cc ahead of Sweden and Great Britain. Jarne Bervoets took bronze individually while Ian Ampoorter (4de) and Seth Priem (5de) just missed the podium. The role of favorite was therefore met with brio.
At the Coupe de l'Avenir -21 years, Sacha Coenen took the first series holeshot. Brother Lucas was 5th while Tias Callens was 125th with his 25ccth the bus passed the first round. Sacha rode to victory unthreatened. Lucas first came back to 2 but then dropped a bit and clocked as 6de off. Tias Callens passed a lot of riders, some with 250 or 450 machines and hung on the 16de place, made a mistake so that a 19de place was his share. It was clear that Team GB was to be feared. Another holeshot for Sacha in the 2ndde series. However, now he could not maintain his leading position. He fell, literally, back to 14 to get back to 6de place. Brother Lucas was like 2de away at the starting gate. He had a difficult series. Had glasses problems, came in several times to change glasses and gave up discouraged.
The revival of this series was that of Tias Callens. On the 125cc this may not be noticeable to everyone, it is thankless to compete against the heavier bikes with this light engine, especially in the heavy mud. But that's just the rules for all participating teams. Tias rode almost flawlessly (as far as that is possible on such a tough course) and kept the focus. He was like 28th noted the first round. Every lap he gained a few places, eventually ending up in a beautiful 11th place, chapeau. Belgium finished 3rd in the final standingsde after Team GB and France. Individually, the British Sam Nunn was the best, ahead of the Latvian Feibergs and our Sacha Coenen. Tias Callens finished 13thde in total and 4th 125cc. Thumbs up!
In the final ranking of the Joël Robert Trophy (ranking across all categories and all drivers counted together), Team Belgium scored the silver medal! Great!
As a final conclusion, we can still speak of a great weekend for Team Belgium. Too bad the weather conditions threw a spanner in the works. Especially for the 65ccs that no longer competed for their series on Sunday. I am convinced, given the progress our riders made every time they played on Saturday, that theyde place could certainly have improved towards a podium place. With the 85ccs: party of course. And among the big boys there were a few who were disappointed, because they expected more from the weekend. Don't worry boys, you will learn from it and it will make you stronger. In stark contrast to this was the satisfaction of Tias Callens, who performed above expectations and thus secured Team Belgium's podium place.
Thanks to all the sponsors of Team Belgium, BMB coach Yves Devlaminck, parents, mechanics, supervisors of the riders and the riders themselves, the BMB for allowing us to experience this unique event and to end it beautifully. Also to my staff for their helping hands.
Also sincere thanks to the organizer of the competition in Baisieux for the hard work in this year's very difficult circumstances. On to 2023!
Robert Gielis – team manager.
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