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Chat: Calvin Vlaanderen

Calvin Vlaanderen on the 2019 MXGP of Asia.

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Calvin Vlaanderen finally stood on the podium for the first time this term at the twelve round, the Grand Prix of Asia, over the weekend. It was a big weekend for him and one that reminded most in the paddock what he is truly capable of. Vlaanderen wants more though, especially as the clock is counting down on his MX2 career, as he explains in this exclusive MX Vice interview. 2020 is also discussed at length.

MX Vice: Up on the box for the first time this year. It feels insane to say that, because you should be there every week, but there have been injuries and you were a fourth-place guy at the beginning of the year. It must just be good to get this monkey off your back?

Calvin Vlaanderen: Yeah, sure. Really good to be back on the box. It sounds funny that it’s the first time this year, because I feel like I have been there before this year. I had a good beginning of the season, going three times fourth in a row. Now with the injury and everything it was quite tough… I didn’t really expect to be back on the box so quickly. I’m not one hundred percent yet physically. Also with my riding I’m missing a bit of speed.

This weekend the plan was just to put two good motos together on Sunday. Last weekend I did one on Sunday but then the second moto I was just completely done, should I say. No energy and just tired. Good to get two motos in and get back on the box. It feels really good.

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Ray Archer

Obviously, coming back from injury you would think this would be one of the toughest races with the heat and stuff. Is there any explanation for you being so strong here so soon after an injury? I cannot really come up with one. Yeah, you are fresh, but that does not help when you are coming off of a long time off the bike.  

I didn’t really take time off. With the injury with the foot, you have to take a few weeks off. Especially with the infection, I could not sweat at all and I did not want to get an infection again. I did take a few weeks off and it was frustrating. I was still doing everything with my upper body in the gym and that. I have been training harder than ever before, I feel. I feel like I am stronger than I have been ever before, which is probably why I am back on the box so soon.

I was just really tired last weekend and the intensity in the motos, you do not get that with training. I think to get that out of the way… I felt a lot better already this weekend. Free practice on Saturday I was like, “My body feels good. I can do well this weekend.” Today also in the motos I felt like I could push, whereas last weekend I couldn’t really push. I was just riding around. I have been training hard. It’s paid off now. 

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Ray Archer

Do you think it helped being in a situation where you couldn’t train this week? Coming back last weekend, that was a shock to the system. You have not done a full MXGP weekend in months. Had we been in Europe you would have done that, tired yourself out, and then gone straight back into training and maybe burnt yourself into a hole. Here you did that, got that learning experience out of the way, and then reset to zero again.  

Having the week off was good for me, actually. We went to Bali and I could recover quite well during that few days. Even if we were in Europe, I monitor my body quite well. If I have a tough weekend and I’m tired like I was last weekend… On Monday I was just sleeping the whole day.

I listen to my body and if my body needs rest, then I’ll rest, which is what I do. For me, having that week off last week was good. I’m a rider who does not need so much time on the bike. I prefer technique training. I just need a good feeling, a good flow and I’ll ride good.  

You have been on the box both times we have come here. Track you like? I feel like everyone gets on with it. Everyone complains about Indonesia. If we are going to come to Indonesia, I feel like we are not going to find a track much better than this.

It’s tough with the heat and the sun. Blue skies the whole day. Obviously the track being so hot and red clay, it’s going to get hard and slippery. It makes it technical in one way. For us riders, it’s a bit dangerous and a bit sketchy. They did not do great track prep this weekend, but it is what it is. It’s the same for all riders. If you feel like it’s dangerous, you just calm down a little bit. That was what I did this weekend.

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Ray Archer

I thought the track was dangerous in some spots, especially when they put water on, but then you ride slow in those places where you need to. A lot of people complain, but Rui [Goncalves] and the guys are actually doing a really good job. They are trying their best. They could not really do much more this weekend, I feel like, with the heat and with the track. It’s going to get hard and slick. We all knew that. I trained before we came here on hard and slick tracks to prepare for this. It’s the same. It is motocross, I think.

On that note, downhill triple. I don’t think I saw you do it at all. Did you think about it? How did you measure that risk versus reward? 

That downhill triple… I busted it out last year one time in practice, because I saw a few guys doing it. This year free practice I didn’t do it. I was like, “Maybe I’ll try in timed practice.” I didn’t do it. Then I was like, “I can’t try it out in the race, unless someone does it in front of me and I get a good start and they are pulling away or something.” I was happy just doubling and singling into the corner. It was maybe a little bit slower, but I just felt safer doing that.

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Honda Racing Corporation

Before this injury, in practice in Trentino you were on it. Everything was looking good. It’s your last year in MX2 so you have obviously got goals you want to tick off. Has this injury been tough to take? Do you now feel like you are in a rush to tick certain things off before you have to leave this class? How are you feeling in that respect?

To be honest, now going into the end of the season I am thinking about it more. In the beginning of the season, I was like, “I’m not thinking about next year. I’m not thinking about contracts, results or things like that.” Obviously I want to get another GP win and also race wins. There is, I think, six GPs left. There is still time to do that. Coming back from injury it is not easy and I knew that it would take time to get there.

During that injury period, I did think about it more and more. In the beginning I was like, “No, I’ll be back.” It will be fine, but now the time is ticking. Before this weekend, I had not had a podium this year and that’s quite surprising. Contract talk is coming up. They are not waiting for me to be a hundred percent. It needs to be now.

It is what it is. I’m just trying my best. I know if I get good results, if I ride like Calvin knows how to ride I will get good results and with good results I’ll have a good ride for next year. I am stressed a little bit about it, but also in one way I am just trying to focus on my training, having good starts on the weekend and putting in good rides.  

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Honda Racing Corporation

Obviously you cannot tell us what you are doing next year or any of that, but are you done? Are you still shopping around or are you actually locked in with someone, whoever for next year? 

I’m not done. Nothing is confirmed at all.

Is it looking good at least?

I don’t even know, to be honest. You probably know more than me. It’s up in the air at the moment. There are a few talks and things like that, but it is up in the air. I don’t even know myself what is going to happen.

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Ray Archer

Last year here was when we did the big interview about South Africa, the flag and everything. I had flashbacks earlier and you were on the podium today. There was a flag out there. Have you heard anything from them recently? Are they kind of coming up to you with a box of chocolates and a sorry letter? 

I saw on social media last year an apology about it.  

When did this happen?

Like a month after this all happened there was one… I think Motorsports Africa put something on social media saying, “We apologise for the bad things.” I did not really go into it after that. I have not spoken to them at all since. It’s kind of a repeat from last year here. I qualified sixth last year as well. I think I went 5-4 or 5-3 in the motos last year and today it was 5-3. It was kind of similar, so that is good. I looked up, saw the Dutch flag and I was actually proud to be with the Dutch flag.

Netherlands all the way?

Netherlands all the way. Assen is going to be good. I’m looking forward to the Nations at the end of the year.

Interview: Lewis Phillips | Lead Image: Ray Archer

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Lit Kit Gallery: MXGP of Patagonia – Argentina

The best from round 1.

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Check out some of the freshest fits, helmets and more from the MXGP of Patagonia – Argentina. Lead Image: Nestaan Husqvarna – Full Spectrum.

Photo credits: Red Bull KTM – Ray Archer / Nestaan Husqvarna – Full Spectrum / Yamaha MXGP – Full Spectrum + Eva Szabadfi / JM Honda / Kawasaki MXGP / Fantic MXGP / Yamaha MX2 – Full Spectrum / HRC MXGP / GasGas – Juan Pablo Acevedo


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MXGP World Championship

Video: MXGP Pre-Season Training with Jeffrey Herlings

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Join Jeffrey Herlings during his pre-season testing after his streak of injuries. Will he get back to his old form?

Lead Image: Ray Archer/KTM

Love what we do? Please read this article as we try to raise £30,000.

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MXGP World Championship

Stark Speaks! Stark believes MXGP should reconsider electric bike inclusion.

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Following numerous questions, comments, and opinions, Stark Future would like to offer its take on the recent Press Conference held at VILLA LA ANGOSTURA (Argentina) on 8th March 2024, during the first MXGP event of the season.

Stark Future, a prominent innovator in motocross, firmly opposes MXGP/ Infront’s proposal to introduce a separate Electric Support Class alongside MXGP events. While recognizing the goal of driving technological advancements, Stark Future believes that segregation is not the solution. Instead, seeing integration as an opportunity for all sides to thrive. By embracing new technologies at the highest level of racing, Stark Future envisions making racing more captivating for fans while fostering the strongest technological improvements across the board.

With a commitment to pushing the boundaries of motocross performance and innovation, Stark Future firmly believes in true competition and integration, where the fastest machines go head-to-head, driving innovation and pushing the sport to new heights. The vision of Stark Future is to build the fastest motocross bike in the world and demonstrate that Electric is not a compromise but a formidable contender.

“As CEO and Founder of Stark Future, I firmly believe that segregating electric bikes into a separate class undermines the essence of true competition in motocross. Our mission is to break barriers and showcase the potential of electric technology on equal footing with internal combustion engines, Motocross thrives on innovation and pushing boundaries, and segregation only hinders our collective progress towards a more inclusive and dynamic sport. World Trials have done a great job on including Electric with combustion and have shown that when the platform is competitive it has it´s place amongst combustion counterparts”

Stark Future understands The creation of a separate class for electric bikes, as proposed by MXGP, compromises the essence of competition and risks stifling progress. Instead of fostering innovation, this approach fragments the championship and dilutes the level of competition. Stark Future advocates for the integration of electric bikes into the existing MXGP grid framework, which would promote innovation and benefit the broader motocross community while offering better viewing figures for MXGP programs.

Stark Future recognizes the importance of innovation in the future of motocross. Integrating electric bikes into MXGP would revitalize innovation within the sport and address challenges such as noise pollution, maintenance costs, and accessibility.

In conclusion, Stark Future urges MXGP/ Infront to reconsider the proposal for a separate Electric Support Class and explore avenues to seamlessly integrate Electric bikes into MXGP and MX2 grids. Stark Future is ready to embrace this challenge, and invites industry stakeholders to join in promoting innovation and ensuring that motocross continues to thrive for generations to come.

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