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Kevin Strijbos joined the Kawasaki Racing Staff MXGP fifteen months in the past to open a brand new chapter in his profession, passing on his expertise from 20 years racing the FIM Motocross World Championship to Romain Febvre.
Phrases: Press Launch | Lead Picture: KRT
After twenty years of success on the highest stage with quite a few GP victories, the Motocross of Nations title with Belgium and two silver medals within the MXGP World Championship a career-switch is just not at all times straightforward however for Kevin the subsequent step ,to share his wealth of expertise with different riders, instantly introduced itself. “For me it was a simple transition; a couple of days earlier than I ended racing throughout the remaining GP of 2021 at Mantova I had a gathering with Antti (KRT crew supervisor Antti Pyrhönen) and he made me a proposal to affix KRT. Two days earlier than this assembly I used to be involved to cease racing as I had no actual plan, however all of a sudden I had such an excellent alternative! Actually all the things went so shortly as we confronted a brief low season so I used to be instantly busy with no time to consider retiring and so forth. I even had the chance to nonetheless experience a motorbike often final 12 months so the transition was straightforward,” defined Kevin.
Racing for a number of producers and groups throughout his illustrious racing profession gave Kevin the chance to develop his insider data and enhance his coaching through the years. He knew precisely what he wanted to do to be a fierce competitor in his personal proper however sharing this expertise with others was a distinct proposition. “For certain I now really feel extra snug in my job because it’s my second season as coach, however all riders are totally different and that’s what I nonetheless must study slightly. Typically I’d do one thing a method, however Romain says ‘no, I need to do it this fashion’ so I’ve to consider it and possibly discover a compromise or comply with his manner. For me it’s not super-difficult; I wasn’t actually frightened of that as I’ve a lot expertise and did quite a lot of coaching for myself so it’s not utterly new for me. I’m not the man who wants to vary his coaching and comply with what you possibly can see on the web or elsewhere, and I really feel that Romain is identical. We simply stick with fundamentals,” defined Kevin, who’s now working completely with Romain. “Romain wished to have me with him full-time. That’s simpler for me too as I can focus totally on him; final 12 months I needed to comply with two guys and that was not at all times straightforward.”
Romain and Kevin instantly had a very good feeling collectively final season. “To be trustworthy I used to be initially slightly apprehensive to work with Romain; I knew him as a rider however not as an individual. However as quickly as I had a gathering with him final 12 months I noticed that he was relaxed and approachable, and our working relationship instantly exceeded all expectations. The strongest level with Romain is that you just don’t want to present him motivation; he’s such a tough employee and at all times desires to push and push. Typically my job is definitely to carry him again slightly, to influence him that he must take his time relatively than to push him. It’s an essential 12 months for him; when he got here again final 12 months he confirmed what he’s able to and we have now had a very good winter. We did all of the coaching that was on our schedule, and he’s feeling match and prepared!” added Kevin, who’s now even busier than throughout his final seasons as a racer.
“We spent one month in Sardinia, after which we travelled rather a lot as more often than not I’m with him. Typically I even really feel like I’m nonetheless a racer; I’m going biking with Romain, go to the health club with him, the one distinction is that I don’t experience anymore. It’s a full-time job and I adore it! After I stopped racing the plan was to spend extra time with my household, but it surely’s labored out slightly totally different. In fact the household helps me; we mentioned the longer term even earlier than I ended racing and so they agree with all the things that has occurred. Now my son is racing himself and I attempt to spend a while with him too when he’s coaching and racing; my life nonetheless definitively revolves round motocross!”
Kevin has tailored nicely to a brand new chapter in his profession and now feels utterly au fait along with his new function; a growth which can be useful to himself, his rider Romain Febvre and your entire Kawasaki Racing Staff MXGP.
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