Friends of Mike Reboot!

It is almost that time again. Another three weeks and then Zeeland’s Goes will once again be full of spectaculair indoor motorsport. For last year’s edition, my son More (MHMXPICS.nl) and myself came up with the idea of ​​presenting the current European two-stroke champion Mike Kras once again to show his supercross skills during the biggest and nicest indoorcross in the Netherlands. After some training laps he gave the green light. Of course the feeling must be there. You have to feel safe, especially when you want to compete for the box. That worked out well and despite not winning, we all enjoyed it very much, including Mike himself. After our own short cross season, partly because More broke his leg early in the season in an annoying way, we got up out of the couch again for Mike. Unfortunately, the end of his impressive MX-career is approaching, which was more than a reason for us to talk to him again. Mike was almost immediately very positive and despite of the end of the collaboration with Ecomaxx, there was a lot of enthusiasm to support Mike again. Apart from some of the “old club” Friends or Mike, there turned out to be new friends who would like to see Mike race Goes again. Ties Pol, the man who has been taking care of top riders from the most varied countries for many years, still has a weakness for the talented Kras. Almost immediately Ties was prepared to provide a ‘Pol Husqvarna’ and technical support for the man who gave us many great MX moments over the years. We thank Pol Motors in advance for this support and then, as a thank you, we will again put the “Friends of Mike” in the spotlight through the maximum media attention.
Although there is still some space to step in, we can announce that Mike will take place at the gate on January 17 and 18 during the Job Maniac Supercross in Goes. That Mike appreciates all of this and certainly takes it seriously, is clear from his preparations. The first training sessions have been completed at the MX Arena in Amiens, France, and that promises something. If Mike himself says he is ready …

https://www.facebook.com/1317062785007088/videos/483123682339315/
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Balls from the States

America, the so called ‘country of endless possibilities’ has always been intriguing to me. Once upon a time (1980 to be exact) my parents gave me the oppurtunity to visit the home of the hamburgers. I have to say, being there gave me a special vibe since everything is so big and different. It’s a world in our world, wich to me can’t be compared with other countries. This will probably work out both ways. I bet Europe must be a little bit of a culture and perhaps scenery shock as well for any American visiting. Battle between countries of the world will always be there, and competitions to determine who is the best in a certain sport come with this need to compete. In motorcross there is no difference. The battle between riders is getting more important over the years. Who is the fastest on this planet? This question rises over and over again. Now with Herlings and Coldenhoff riding like they do, this question can’t be asked without mentioning these two ‘dutchies’. We could say that our boys ‘schooled’ America on their homesoil and now we can’t wait to show them how its done in the MXoN Assen. On the ‘beachy’ sandtrack will be a lot of roost to eat, but knowing that didn’t hold the fearless guys from flying over. Aside of ‘Big Shot’ Cooper, who turned second in the ‘lites’ this year, the big names from the 2019 season won’t compete in Holland to hunt the desirable title. Anderson , when fit, is surely able to step up a few podiums, but rode only the first three rounds this SX season. Then Osborne used to be very capable, but only rode 11 of the 17 rounds this year. This is very unfortunate for the ‘Big Country’ and rises the question why the ’19 big names will not attend. Could be a conflict of interest, or just the fear realizing they’re not the legends they used to be. After seeing a vlog of the fearless American delegation traveling all the way over to our tiny country, I can only have respect for these guys. You can see they’re having a lot of fun and the self- mockery they posses is fun to watch.

Things like, renting a bicycle, a tootiny ‘Kia picanto’ or even having a look at the overwhelming amount of sand on our MX tracks, makes this videos great material. Yet, they do realise, all the kidding aside, that they’re not able to outclass the rest of the world in Assen. For them it’s a horror track and mostly a job that needs to be done. Real countryman just do those things. It’s impossible to practise for a track like this, since the sand of Assen is pretty gnarly and not easy to be find somewhere else except the beach. A fast lap at ‘Lommel in the morning’ is doable off course, but a whole heat is going to be a little bit heavier, knowing you missed half a season of SX rhythm. Whatever the results will be, the boys will be honest and judgemental about their riding. They will, without a doubt, accept the fact that it is what it is. These guys are not claiming to be the fastest in the world and have the respectful balls to show this to the world. I don’t expect them to think this will be easy in any way. This belief belongs to the people at home who make crazy eqations and have personal fan interests. Add some patriotism to that you get a unrealistic point of view about the race of the year…

I will be there and all I can do is hope that these boys bring some fire to Assen. All that for the sport we love so much. The fire that makes us the fans we are today…

Tekst: Olav Heijt – Translation: Djardy Heijt

Thank you Danny Relouw for the ‘Big Plates’. (relouwmxpics)

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‘It’s like a dream come true’

‘It’s like a dream come true’. That was the first thing my son said when I told him the news. “With a real MX team to the French GP in Villars, how cool is that?” Thanks to Gertjan Vorstenbosch, we received an invitation from team manager Patrick Claessen to have a close look from the inside.

Little boy
The big 600 km slide away while we talk a lot about much more, with the same subject. Motocross. We are followed closely by Sergio Fernandez who drives the second van with his father. Nice people, but unfortunately I don’t understand a thing. In the six words they speak, I understand two, from where I can make something out of it. Between lines I make my own story. After we have made a sleep stop at a gas station, we set up for the last 200. What’s a few miles when you’re having fun. At 20 km. it starts to bubble in my stomach. Like always. I feel like a little boy who’s heading for his first holiday ever.

Labels and stickers
When arrive at the track it’s already very busy. Along the narrow road vans and mobilehomes are waiting for access. Without the right documents, of course, there’s no getting through. We are directed to a beautiful high spot and get our stuff installed. My son and I gladly assist the crew, while sliding through the mud. From Patrick Claessen we receive a Honda Carglass Team Coat. “Now you’re a real part of the team,” he laughs. He’s got his stuff together, because our sizes are included. We unload the ‘Red Ones’ and make them ready for inspection. The noise is always something, especially with the loud Honda’s. What the inspection is really worth, gets clear to me in the next few minutes. After the disapproval of one of the bikes, the mechanic puts the bike against the van. Without touching the red devil, Sergio retries after 30 minutes. With glance it gets through. It’s just where the wind comes from. In the end, “we” (yes, I can say that this weekend) collected the labels and stickers we need to take part of the race. Ander Valentin and Sergio Fernandez fathers fill-in as mechanics this weekend. Sergio’s father is always there, but Anders dad is a substitute for the weekend. A golden fill in, as I can see. Apart from all the hardware, the food is also perfectly made. No ‘over the top catering’, but delicious homemade Chinese is served. Salad and chicken to make it complete.

Team spirit
Suddenly, out of the dark, a drunk German appears. With his bare chest and a big can of his native beer, he stumbles through the ribbon. Whether we have tickets for sale. “I have money with me,” he mumbles, but gets removed subtle by team boss Patrick. Also here, security really is really indispensable. The world can be strange and cruel sometimes. This weekend, however, our world is beautiful. We’re enjoying ‘Bigtime’ In a haze of imagination we’re hanging around the bikes and riders. A world of dreams. Carglass rider Dylan Walsh takes a close look at his bike. He would like to help but needs to go to the hotel. A good night sleep is also part of the job. A nice guy who excuses himself five times. Almost takes a bow and leaves in the dark. Dylan’s bike must still be converted with suspension, exhaust system and wheels. The Fernandez family starts with the job and with some extra light from Sergio’s phone, the Honda gets rebuilt. Ready for battle. Respect for the team spirit of the nice people. When ‘sandman’ passes for the 4th time the job is done. The whole mobile bike shop gets cleaned up. Ready for the night. Laying in my camper bed, I realize me and my son are very lucky. I turn around and look at my wrist with Pitlane strap. Almost tomorrow.

Survival
The persistent rain doesn’t make it cozier. The job is heavy. Watching the slopes and heavily fucked up corners, I wonder if a race like this ever would be canceled. When should they and when is it too much? Obviously, it won’t, because the marshals just go to work. Not every rider uses the full training time, which I understand. My bike wouldn’t even leave the van in a place like this. That I know! The time practice of our boys isn’t working out the way they would, but there’s an excuse for that. It’s all a matter of gambling and good luck, as it turned out later. There is bad luck. Due to the excessive rainfall, one of the Honda’s stops. The rest of the training gets completed with the spare bike, but it seems more like a ‘survival of the fittest’ than a MXGP. The rain is on, and it’s getting worse. A shovel reaches for a half-yard mud from the starting area, but feels a lot like carrying water to the see.
The sucking substance makes riding almost impossible, but the riders show character. I kiss my pitlane strap and look up to the sky. Tomorrow it will be better. unfortunately I am not a weatherman. The next day rain keeps pouring, with short dry moments. It’s good to see that the mass of people who came up don’t care. Under sails and umbrellas they follow their favorites. Infection to the bone. Children with horns and bells. The extra boost they probably need to get op the muddy hills. Unfortunately, the shitty weather plays a big part this weekend. Results show. Dylan Walsh gets injured. After a first ride for almost 25 minutes, het stops in the pitlane with a foot fracture. Unfortunately he couldn’t close with a step on the box, but the speed was really there. With pain in his eyes he leaves the pits. Talent with a big future to come. That’s for sure. The glamor that glitters from the outside shows hard work within. Simply cleaning the mess is just a very small part. The bikes are torn apart and every detail gets checked. There is a healthy stress sensible in the team. While rubbing a real factory stickerset for the first time in my life, my son is sitting next to me with his Nikon. Staff photographer of the weekend. ‘Cool hey dad’. GertJan Vorstenbosch stands out as a best co-team leader, together with his caring, right-hand niece Romy. A team in a team. Unfortunately, Carglass rider Jed Beaton has been loaned to HRC for this weekend. A straight-up guy who also surprised me in Assen with his beautiful style and immortal perseverance. His specialty turns out to be floating above the French mud. With ridiculous constant lap times, he finishes on the box. A third place with a golden edge.

Self-made
The ‘Team’ sticker on the truck is more than justified. The definition of the word comes true this weekend. All ‘red jackets’ doing their thing without prior briefing. A group of musketeers with all the same purpose. While some of the riders take the rest they need, while Valentin walks around. A silent boy. No big mouth hot shot. Just Valentin. He’s from Spain, but his English is definitely not bad. It is a self-made boy who’s pushing to his dream. He definitely has the skills, including the famous Spanish ‘Prado ass’, but is looking out for the right chance. That road is not as easy as it often seems from the outside. It takes a lot of self-discipline. The talent with matching character is not even enough. A piece of luck is indispensable for these men. Due to one minor mistake, you can just lose a season, and 22 is actually too old to get a fair chance. Yet they won’t give up. His dad’s a police officer and supports him in everything as much as he can. He finances his startup every year, while the rest has to come out of the team and sub sponsoring. A scanty life, while giving everything you have in you. Day by day, year by year. He still will be finishing school as a sports instructor, aware that there’s a life after this. What the future will bring, no one knows, but that’ll keep the dream alive.
Give a lot and take a little
Looking at all this and what’s happening in a official MXGP team, I wonder if you can actually call it a sport. Your life is in MX, every day. Working out and riding. Week in week out until the weather does not allow it anymore. And then still. If you want to succeed, you’ll have to give everything you have and a little more. Give a lot and take a little. In a team or just with your buddies.

This team is close    . Without fuss, building on. The result is the only thing that counts in the end. Progression. Honest people with honest expectations.
Who gives will get …

Picture credits to More Heijt – www.mhmxpics.com

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Blatherwicks travels

Despite his respectable age, he looks remarkably fit. Bare-chested, thick biceps and broad shoulders. I do not know him, but he kindly asks me how I am doing.

‘This is my life’
I move around, watching the beautiful Kawasaki 85 which is parked next to his van. It’s really a beauty. Actually, I’ve always had a bit of a weakness for the green monsters. Perhaps because they have always been in the minority, as long as I can remember. I’m not an expert, but even I can see that the bike is ‘done properly’ with an expert hand. A beautiful little girl is sitting at the side of the van, smiling even more kindly than her dad. Roisin is her name. A beautiful name for an equally beautiful girl. Funny to see that she has processed her name in the number on her bike. ‘Ro151n’. A smooth sticker set marks the bike, matched with a cool helmet wrap. That’s the way to step outside on a day like this. Nicely taken care of by Nathan Watson, the man who finished RedBullKnockOut just in second. The ‘Kawa’ has been sponsored by the local dealer and former superstar Chris ‘Stalker’ Walker, a good friend of the English ‘couple’. John Blatherwick is divorced. His ex-wife has nothing to do with her daughters MX life, but is also unable to stop her. Roisin may be small, but she has a strong personal will for a 17 year old. John looks from the bike to his daughter and then looks at me dreamily. ‘This is my life’, he says sweetly and I understand his feelings. ‘No more words needed’, I respond, and he laughs. Recognition does the rest.

A warned man
My son Storm stands next to me, looking at the beautiful ‘Kawa’. John recognizes the love for bikes and asks him if he may want to sit on it. As he strikes his leg over the buddyseat, I tell John that he’s just into motocross for a few months. ‘Just take a ride’, he says. Storms face is in shock, but his body wants that ride. I’ll help him kill the doubts. ‘Just go on, you can do it.” The bike yells at the first strike and Storm is on his way. When he’s done he puts my son a black cap on his head. ‘An Original Stalker’, he says enthusiastic. Proud and excited at the same time. John shows me pictures from his phone. Pictures of the places he and Roisin went together. A virtual diary. Once he rode himself, but since his heart attack he takes things easy. A warned man. His company in ceilings gave him lots of stressful moments. Too much staff with all their own problems. That made him decide to go back to small-scale work with only his brother next to him. Now his daughter has picked up the cross glove, it’s no longer a task to ride himself. He supports her along all sides and in everything she wants to do. John works hard and much to make it all possible. His children. His whole life.

A dream for both
Roisin’s in her last grade, studying to be a mechanic. She already works in Chris Walker’s company and will certainly spend more time there. The Blatherwicks do everything themselves. John is more than well-known with bikes and Roisin is also paying her contribution. She dresses up for her last session. After two laps, John is waving her out of the track. Tony Cairoli, who’s also present, is at the point of leaving, so pictures need to be taken. A dream for both. At first she doesn’t want to turn off her goggles. Afterwards she said that she was scared of a red head on the picture. John takes a selfie together with his hero and shows me the result as a happy child. When he sees that the picture is too dark, he gets Tony out of his van without any kind of shame. This opportunity won’t pass every week, so he uses the moment. An exemplary Cairoli steps out and kindly poses again. Signs a few more pictures and leaves. ‘Part of the job’, and he knows. John proudly shows his treasure of value to his daughter. Beautiful.

Before we part he asks if we’ll come to the RBKO this year. ‘We’ll have a pint together’. Facebook makes us officially friends. We friendly wave out the charming couple. The MX brings a lot of beauty and golden days. Just like today…

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The greatest thing in my life

‘Will you load up the van?’, my dad asks unnecessary. Ofcourse I will. Always and with a lot of pleasure. Just because MX is the only world I know. In my mind I pass every piece of my body, to be sure I’m not going to forget anything. Socks, boots, kneecaps, pants, helmet, goggles and a jersey twice. Also the gas will be nice. After closing the vans backdoors I slowly close the barn, while looking over the stuff inside. That’ll be it. At the track I open the bus. To my dismay I see that I forgot my bike. Everything’s inside, except my true friend! How the hell could I forget. My dad’s standing next to me. A little mad, but mostly disappointed. ‘How on earth can you…’. I can read his thoughts in his steel blue eyes. Not good. I’m feeling cold and sick at the same time. The thing is that we’re here and there’s nothing left to do than to put my gear on. What else can I do. The minute I put my goggles on, the speaker calls for the riders to get to the starting area. Nervous I put myself between the waiting riders and bikes. ‘I’ve got to race. Anyway, anyhow. When the gate drops, I see the bikes along and disappear in the distance. Ofcourse I cant’t keep up whit the yelling bikes, but I’ll do what I can. Won’t give up. My dad’s watching me. Don’t know his thoughts right now, but I won’t give up. Not on him. He’s always there for me, doing the best he can. I feel guilty as hell. So bad. While running my boots get heavier every minute. It’s almost impossible to keep this up, but I can’t let him down. Sweat gets along my goggles, annoying my eyes. I got to keep up. I got to…
Then in a flash I’m looking in a sharp light. Through my pinched eyes I see my dad standing above me. ‘Will you load up the van?’, he asks unnecessary. Ofcourse I will. I get out of bed and get dressed. While walking down the stairs I can only think of one thing. ‘Don’t forget. Just don’t forget anything…’

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Quest for gold

At first I didn’t recognize him. Jeans and, despite his profession as a (personalized) shoe maker  , running around on half-work boots. Tense he walks back and forth between the double deposition. To his wife and back. Adrenaline is visible running through his body. He still knows how it was in the early days. In that time he drove himself. Now his son Isjen is steering with his mate Noah Kuijpers beside him. Just watching seems to be even worse. Hanging over the ribbon he can almost touch the two young brave warriors. ‘Don’t cuddle damn, on the gas!’ The boys are plowing their way through the deep sand. They’re doing their best. He knows. The struggle is on. Gerton is able to see everything in the right perspective. ‘They are so young and not yet experienced enough to know what it means to hit the bottom’. As a father and manager, he tries to analyze the races afterwards. “They did great in the first heat. In the second they let their heads hang down too fast. I guess it has to do with the food or so. You’ll learn something like that every time,’ he laughs. If you want to climb to a certain level, you have to do a lot and surely let even more. ‘It all costs a lot of money, so they have to give it their all if they want to be able to keep doing this’. Hard and clear language, but it’s nothing but the truth. When the checkered is waving he walks to his wife. Steals a kiss and then heads to the boys. The boys that will be men one day. Gerton Kops. He knows how it was, and what it is. What’s to be done. Follow-up in progress …

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This life

Gate drop. The first meters are mine. Must keep it wide open now. Long. Late on the brakes, like GP men do. A race I know I won’t win. Maybe never. Not even on the box. I don’t care. It is the feeling that counts. The vibration takes over the beating of my nervous heart . Surrounded by riders with the same passion, that thrill. Friends at the bus, fighters at the track. That one place is important. Not for the points, just the feeling. Every race a victory. My victory. Satisfied parents at the finish. Unquestioningly loyal to the bone. Hugging back gratefully. Grateful for my life, this life …

(Rider on the pic: Storm Heijt)

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Pubtalk in Lommel

In Lommel, a city in the Northwest of Belgium near the border with Holland, lays a populair MX track. Walking by I can hear a hub of excitement from one of the garages. It sounds more like a pub but no alcohol is served. Jeffrey is relaxed and his crew is following his lead; jokes are flying back and forwards. The relaxed atmosphere is telling of future plans and outlooks of the already successful team. There is a positive flow surrounding everything. “What are the lap times like?” he asks one of the mechanics. Working a tiny laptop with hands that are much too big he answers. ‘The times are good, really good! Using their system, the men are able to see when he changes gears and even the amount of revs the big 450 gets up to at different places on the track. Numbers are being called out. “Is that a lot?”, he asks curiously. And yes, they are remarkable. The information is transferred to a small box. “Attach that to my body when I am home in the bedroom”, he laughs out loud, while he mimes the oldest move in the world. “At home I am always in sixth gear, limiter full on”. Everyone laughs, without hesitation. When Jeffrey talks, everyone is quiet.

‘Jeffrey the giant’ ultimately decides how, what and when things happen. He is the man because he has to perform. In these moments it appears, a king is just another human being. He is funny and with great ease switches between English and his self-made Belgium dialect. “Allee”, he says to Joel Smets. “Where was the coach? I was here at 8.30 in the morning.” Joel laughs, genuinely. Two patiently waiting KTM’s are speaking to the imagination. The WP blokes quickly and professionally change the bikes fork whilst the team mechanics get the canon ready for the next session. I follow him for another few laps and am amazed again. One thing I know for sure…

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It’s all about passion

“It started as a joke.” You often hear people say that when something is moving to a higher level.
A few years ago I started to put down my thoughts in words. In a social situation as a single father of 4 children, there’s always something happening. Often funny, sometimes emotional. Many (Facebook) friends recognized the normal things they call life. At first I mainly wrote for myself. After placing on, first Hyves and later Facebook, I noticed that the reactions surely touched me. Guess I have to leave something behind. Where it comes from I do not know. I think it has to do with the fact that I don’t know much about my father’s emotional life. Too late to ask yet, unfortunately. My children won’t be affected by that feeling. I’ll take care of that.

The move to motocross stories was almost logical. I’ve learned a lot and especially enjoyed my years as a hobby motocross rider. When you’re done writing about yourself, you go in search of new experiences. What hurted me the most has actually revealed the force. After finishing my “career” I’ve never looked back. Forced to quit, left with the frustration of not being able to ride anymore. Back in it since 5 years made me realize the big black hole that emerged. In those 25 years there’s changed a big lot, with even more things happened. That fact made writing about it a lot more exciting. Completely blank, writing without prejudice.

I gratefully accept the opportunity to get acquainted with drivers, teams, partners and everyone who has anything to do with motocross. The valuation grew accordingly.
MXInfected is growing and that I owe to you. You who read it, like and appreciate.

Thanks for that. Thank you very much!

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Copyright © 2024 – MXInfected – Columns and stories about MX sport by Olav Heijt.