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INTERVIEW: CALVIN VLAANDEREN
26 January 2013
by Laren van der Westhuizen
Photographs courtesy of Brodalka Photography
MX SA: Hi Calvin, Give us a short paragraph
on how 2012 went for you.
CV: Hey guys, 2012 was a huge success for me. I did not
have the best results, but I learned and experienced so much! I
think all rookie seasons have their up and downs and that's exactly
what happened to me, one weekend on the podium to the next weekend
not scoring any points. I do believe I had some really bad luck
last year, I can't cry about it just have to work harder, move on
and look forward.
MX SA: Who are you riding for in 2013?
CV: I will be riding for the same team as i rode this
year, Bodo Schmidt Motorsport KTM. I can't tell you how much they
have helped us! I will have a new mechanic, I believe one of the
best mechanics in Europe, so I am really stoked with everything
coming together for this season.
MX SA: What series will you be racing?
CV: I will be competing in the ONK Dutch Championship,
the ADAC German Championship and the most important one for me the
EMX125 European championship. The World Championship will be in
Czech Republic this year, and hopefully can pull off a good result.
MX SA: How have you adjusted to racing
in Europe?
CV: The racing in Europe is completely different to racing
in South Africa, and i think only the people who have raced here
and experienced it will understand how extremely difficult it is.
It was difficult for me in the beginning of the season getting used
to everything, racing every weekend with 25+2 min moto's took its
toll on me the first few months. The competition is also a big change
for me, 39 guys on the line next to you, 5 seconds a lap separates
the 1st guy to the 40th guy. Starts are so important here in Europe!
You have to train twice as hard, and race twice as hard.
Photographs courtesy of Brodalka Photography
MX SA: After a season in Europe, is
it still your goal to be world champ one day?
CV: It is my goal to be World Champ one day, that goal
will never change. I am motivated and extremely determined to be
World Champ one day, this year i was 7th with a bit of bad luck.
I am training as hard as ever for this, I truly believe that 2013
is my time to shine!
MX SA: What have you enjoyed most in
Europe?
CV: Now that I am used to everything, I really enjoy
the racing almost every weekend. It is a long season with 3 championships,
but having 39 guys on the line next to you all having the same goal
is so exciting! I really enjoy riding all the different tracks all
around Europe, riding all the GP tracks has helped me a lot!
MX SA: What do you miss about SA?
CV: I miss my family and friends the most when I'm gone,
it is difficult for me staying away from home for over 7 months.
I also really miss the nice warm weather, last season there were
8 weekends in a row raining. All the races i rode last year, about
70% of them i was riding in the mud. The only way to ride mud is
to accept that you can't change the track, and just have fun!
MX SA: How is your off season training
going?
CV: My off season training is really going good, i started
about 6 weeks ago and I am feeling really strong and good on the
bike. I leave to Germany on the 18th of Feb, I will be going to
do a week or two of testing in Lommel which is a deep sand track
in Belgium. My first race is on the 3rd of March which is a qualification
for the ONK Dutch Championship.
I want to say huge thank you to everyone who has supported me and
has believed in me, i really appreciate each and every one of you!
I will try my best to make you proud in 2013, I believe it's going
to be a good year!
Photographs courtesy of Brodalka Photography
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