This weekend the European motocross season will kick off in Riola Sardo, Italy and the Kemea Yamaha Team will also be present in Sardinia.
It’s a new look Kemea, with the team of Hans Corvers and Marnicq Bervoets undergoing an extreme makeover during the winter.
Kemea will start 2018 with a completely new line-up with 22-year-old Vsevolod Brylyakov spearheading the team. In the MX2 world championship, the Russian will be flanked by British rider Ben Watson and the 17-year-old Belgian youngster Jago Geerts (world champion juniors 125 in 2016). All three riders come into action on their YZ250F in Riola Sardo on Sunday.
Before the start of the world championship in Neuquen, Argentina on March 4, the Kemea-squad will prepare at Hawkstone Park on February 11 and Lacapelle Marival a week later on February 18.
“In recent years, we have made big steps forward with Kemea,” said Team Owner, Hans Corvers. “From private team to factory team, from sub-top to top. Benoit Paturel gave us a third place in the 2016 world championship and last season he gave Kemea a first GP victory, in Switzerland.
“You can describe 2018 as a new start for Kemea, with three new riders. It’s a big challenge, but we remain ambitious. With Vsevolod Brylyakov we aim again at the top three. He comes back from a long shoulder injury but has a good mentality and the speed. With the help of team trainer Jacky Vimond and team manager Marnicq Bervoets we have to push the Russian to a higher level.
“Ben Watson has to be able to finish in the top eight. For Jago Geert 2018 will be a year of learning. He is a man for the future. Jago combines his sport with school and will only start to work on a fully professional basis by the end of 2018. Even though, I expect him in the top 10 occasionally.”
“The preparation did not go so well. Both Brylyakov and Watson had to interrupt their training camp in Sardinia because of injuries,” explains Team Manager, Marnicq Bervoets.
“Brylyakov struggled with back problems and had to rest for 10 days. Watson hit his head against the handlebars during practice. Result: torn lip and a few teeth loose! He has not been allowed to drive for 10 days. Luckily, both riders are fit again. I hope that those ten days of lacking training will not have too much influence.
“Geerts, who still goes to school, has continued to train in Belgium and makes a solid impression. Yet, it is difficult to make predictions now. After the three international races we will know more.
Kemea has reached the top, which was difficult. But confirming is perhaps even more difficult. Nevertheless, that is our goal this year.”
