VOORBESCHOUWING PIERREUX MET MARVIN VAN DAELE (SHINERAY)
Marvin Van Daele (25) is one of those riders on the verge of breakthrough. In spite of holding
provisional second in the Jumbo Dutch champs and fourth in the United Telecom Trophy the 2007
season didn’t go according to plan. Van Daele finished the MX1 World championship 16th, but lately it
seems his fortunes are turning. ‘Smarry’ posted a strong eighth in Lierop at the final GP and this
week he announced his 2008 deal with German Teka-Suzuki outfit.
Congrutalations, it seems at least something good came out of this season?
Marvin Van Daele : Honestly, it has been a disappointing season, but it was not all bad. My pre-season
races were good and I had some strong results in the Dutch and Belgian championships… Anyway, I’m really
pleased to go with Teka for next year. They are a solid, professional team and with the technical backing they
will receive through the Suzuki factory team that should be really good. I’m not saying that my current bike
with Shineray, was not up to standard, quite the contrary even, but the aid from the factory team was indeed
a very important argument for me to sign with Teka. I believe Pierre-Alexandre Renet is set to be my team
mate. I’m not really sure what will happen with Kornel Nemeth.
You’re close to your goal of taking a podium in the overall standings of the Belgian championship,
you must be psyched for the race in Pierreux?
Marvin Van Daele: You bet! Orp was kind of okay, but it could have been better. I was still in the middle of
the negotiations for next season and whether you like it or not it comes between you and the racing. Now all
of that is cleared out I feel liberated and ready to go. I have been close to the day’s podium on a couple of
occasions this season and this might not seem a big deal for an outsider but it’s not an exception when seven
or eight MX1 GP riders from the top ten line up. And no one likes to be passed!
I guess this means you will not compete in the United Telecom Trophy in 2008?
Marvin Van Daele: That’s right, I’m sorry for my fans, but in the end you have to do what’s right for you and
your career. Going to Germany feels like the right thing to do right now! I don’t really know the ADAC Masters
German Championship but at least the hard pack tracks will give me something to gain experience. I’m not
saying I have seen it all in Belgium, but sometimes a change of environment is what you need to make
headway!
You are second in the Jumbo Dutch series and fourth in the United Telecom Trophy, does this mean
Marvin Van Daele is a domestic series specialist?
Marvin Van Daele: I think that’s a bit exaggerated! My main problem in GPs is not the speed, but being
consistent all the time. Because you don’t get the results I have in the national series if you don’t have the
pace. So now it’s up to me to get the results I know I’m able of in the World championship.
You have been working for a while now with a sport psychologist, what does it add to your
preparation?
Marvin Van Daele: Quite a lot I think. I realize that mental strength is my weakest link for the moment. My
fitness is excellent and my riding is good enough but I know that this is not sufficient to succeed at the highest
level. That’s why I started working with a psychologist who has a great deal of experience with top athletes.
At the start I probably didn’t work as often with him as I should have, but in the last couple of months we have
been working together very close. My results have improved and my consistence is getting better. I feel I
need someone like Jef to pick me up and support me when thing are not going as I want to. So we will keep
on working together next year as well.
