From the left, Martin Van Genderen, MXGP Academy trainer, Dr Wolfgang Srb, FIM Europe President, Patrice Assendelft, KNMV CEO, Giuseppe Luongo, Youthstream President, and Marcel Hartman, Head Coach KMNV
The MXGP Academy will launch a pilot for young talented motocross riders in November 2016 in the Netherlands.
This new international project is called ‘MXGP Rookies’ and it is a result of a close partnership of Youthstream, FIM Europe and the KNMV (Royal Dutch Motorcycle Federation). These parties have joined forces in order to educate young MX riders in ‘new motocross countries’ like Qatar, Malaysia and Thailand. The prestigious four year education program will start in 2017 after the pilot is evaluated.
Five young riders (one from Belgium, one from Germany and three from the Netherlands) will receive a full time training of four months at the High Performance Centre Papendal, located in Arnhem. The talented youngsters will be guided by several specialists like exercise physiologists, strength coaches and dieticians, who are all available at the Olympic centre. Riders will train and live among 375 other athletes from 12 different sports.
Regular training at Dutch motocross circuits is complemented by winter internships of the KNMV in Spain, so a variety of practice circuits is offered. The motocross training is supervised by Marcel Hartman, head coach of the Netherlands.
Giuseppe Luongo, President Youthstream Group stated: “The MXGP Academy Rookie project is another extremely important step in helping young talent grow and to possibly one day become a professional MXGP rider competing in the most prestigious Motocross Championship in the world. This project is the first of its kind in our sport and we would like to thank FIM-Europe, KNMV and the High Performance Center Papendal who together with Youthstream have driven and financed this activity. The goal is to build on this program and bring youth from all over the world to help them enter the world of professional Motocross without denying any schooling”.
Dr. Wolfgang Srb, President FIM Europe, stated: “I am very excited that we are close to the start of this promising project, after months of hard work, preparations and evaluations. FIM Europe does not only believe in sport as our core business but also, as an important pillar, in education. Papendal is the perfect location and the partners give full support: KNMV with a vast experience in sport and training of young riders, the MXGP Academy with a strong record of training and promoting young talents, Youthstream as the leading promoter of Motocross on World as well as on European level and FIM Europe as the biggest and most active Continental Union of FIM”.
Marcel Hartman, head coach KNMV added: “This really is a unique motocross project where riders can make big steps in their individual development”.
All MXGP Rookies are of school age so besides the motocross program they will continue their school education at the same time. Tailor made school programs with personal coaching and online lessons will be offered in association with their schools back home and the educational staff at Papendal.
Last but not least the KNMV supports the program with the services of lifeskill coach Henry Flierhuis who will assist the MXGP Rookies to develop their social skills.
The following riders will join the MXGP Rookies pilot: Marcel Conijn (NL), Raivo Dankers (NL), Raf Meuwissen (NL), Wannes Van De Voorde (BEL) and Marnique Appelt (GER).
