Honda nurtures the talent of tomorrow at Honda 150 European Championship training camp
The 2014 Honda 150 European Championship Training Camp took place in Albaida, Spain, over the weekend, as riders received expert tuition and guidance ahead the season opening Netherlands MXGP in Valkenswaard on May 4.
The stars of tomorrow were put through their paces by trainers and sports psychologists from FIM Europe, before training began on the four-stroke Honda CRF150R machines they will be racing throughout the 2014 campaign.
As part of Honda’s commitment to MX and nurturing the very best young talent, competitors were given expert riding tuition and a track guide from Series Coach and three times GP winner Gordon Crockard, before representatives of FIM Europe and the University of Rome taught on riding position, nutrition, psychology and fitness, as the future of MX learned exactly what it takes to become professional racer.
JTech Honda EMX250 rider Kalle Olsen was also on hand to offer advice, having come through the ranks on a similar Honda programme in his native Sweden.
The extreme undulations of the Albaida track highlighted what a physically demanding sport MX can be, but the talent on show in this year’s Honda 150 European Championship dealt with one of Southern Spain’s most respected motocross venues with ease.
FIM Secretary General Alessandro Sambuco expressed his enthusiasm for the Honda 150 European Championship: “Our role here this weekend has been to prepare these riders in the best possible way from a mental side and from a physical side. This is the second year of collaboration between FIM Europe and Honda and once again we’re are taking part in a professional training camp that will help these riders improve their performance significantly for the future.”
Series Organiser Gerry Bryce was pleased with the outcome of the weekend: “It’s been a great success. I’m very impressed with the ability, professionalism and behaviour of all the riders that have been here this weekend. It’s been great to have FIM Europe here and I’m very keen to see the results of the evaluation procedure, the riders and parents had huge interest in what FIM Europe had to say. Albaida has been a great venue, too, it’s an exciting track and now I can’t wait for the first race in Valkenswaard.”
Davy Dousselaere, Honda Off-Road Manager, Motorsport Division, was similarly impressed: “I’m very pleased to see so many happy faces on both kids and parents. The progression we have seen from all the riders following the tuition of Gordon has been fantastic; there is so much potential here. The involvement of FIM Europe is a huge benefit, too. The package that Alessandro and his team have taught the young riders will allow them to progress in areas where they did not previously realise it was possible.”
All eyes now switch to the Netherlands MXGP on May 4, where Honda 150 European Championship riders will take to the track shortly before the MXGP and MX2 racers, as they compete to win the prize of an EMX2 seat with Gariboldi Honda.