How about this bloke....NTERVIEW Wednesday 11th July 2007 By Geoff Meyer/Plons
Motocross is not an easy sport. It is said that it is one of the toughest sports in the world. Riders have to be super fit and have complete control over their machine. Benoit Pauwels is a Belgian motocross racer who is working hard to reach his goals and make steps forward in the sport. He has a huge passion for the sport and continues to amaze everyone that meets him. A 23 years of age Pauwels won't ever be a Grand...
You see Pauwels only has one arm. Yes, thats right, he races motocross at a good level and controls his machine with the use of just one arm. Pauwels has been invited to race in America in a weeks time and while everything has been organized he has one little problem, he needs a bike.
Pauwels usually riders a KTM 250 2 stroke 2006 or 2007 model and at present he is having trouble finding a bike for his big race in America (set for Florida). If anyone can help Pauwels please contact
www.mxlarge.com at
[email protected] or Davy Van Der Heyden at
[email protected]Here is an interview we did with Benoit this week.
Q: How did you lose your arm?
A: I had a work accident working on the family farm, falling into one of the machines when I was 11 years old.
Q: When did you first ride a bike?
A: 12 october 2001. I was 12 years old. I had bought a bike for my father, a Honda XL 125. I asked to ride the bike once, I changed the clutch to the right side, and the bike was mine. My father never got on the bike ;-)
Q: What is the most difficult thing about riding with one arm?
A: Woops and..........
Q: What do you like about Motocross?
A: I love to jump table tops. I love to overcome jumps, I'm not really interested in the results, but jumping new obstacles is always a victory. Q: How are your race results? A: I never finished last in a race up untill now :-)
Q: How often do you ride?
A: I participate at the races during weekends, and on wednesday I go training with the bike. I don't have much time during the week, as I work as a mecanic.
Q: What is the race in America. What race is that?
A: The Extremity Games is an extreme amateur sporting competition for individuals living with limb loss or limb difference. It's held in Orlando, Florida, and it has several events such as skateboarding, climbing, mountain biking, BMX, wakeboard, and of course since this year Motocross. The games are held during a week, and the MX event is held on thursday. You can also participate or test other sports during that week as a participant.
Q: Do you have a favorite MXer?
A: Clement Desalle. He's a youth friend, and I think he's riding very well!
MXLarge would like to thank Davy Van Der Heyden and Plons for helping this young rider. It's people like Plons and Van Der Heyden that have the passion for the sport and continue to work towards helping riders in Belgium.
