We have asked Koen Hermans and Ben van den Bogaart, the FIM Sidecar Motocross World Championship 2023 participants, who finished in third place, a few questions. Enjoy the chat!
You are still looking for your first title having been a regular top three finisher over several seasons. What extra do you need to climb the final step?
Koen: We need more luck, and we had to much mechanical problems this year, but we work on it.
Your career has been a special one. What more can you bring to the 2024 season to get Koen over the line to a gold medal?
Ben: Yes, It has been a special one but it still feels like unfinished business. My ultimate goal is to take 5 world titles with 4 different riders. To make a statement that also a passenger can make the difference. Koen is a very talented rider and needs someone next to him who encourages him and I think I can do that. Last year we had the speed but a lot of bad luck. Next year must be better!
When everything is working well, you can be the fastest team, as we have seen. What steps have you taken to improve reliability?
Koen: We have make some changes on the bike for more safety. Looks really positive.
Like so many top passengers, you have moved around and won four titles with three different drivers. What was behind the decision to do a second year with Koen?
Ben: I believe that we haven't seen the best Koen Hermans yet and all the people around him are so friendly with Kelly, Lio and me. The family from Koen and the rest of the team is very motivated and I love to work with them. He is capable to fight for it and in 2024 we will be ready to go for gold.
We all know the effect the Covid pandemic had on our sport in 20/21, but do you think there has been a permanent effect?
Koen: The covid was for nobody easy, but together we are strong, and it will be better every year.
Where do you see the next generation of top passengers coming from?
Ben: A lot of very talented passengers are coming up. For the next few years, it will be no problem to find one. :) I guess that the Prunier-, Lielbardis- and Leferink brothers will stay together. They are all young and talented. Robbe, Aivar, Dion, and Rudolphe are also very talented and capable of making the step to the top. If Jarno Steegmans can make a full season without injuries, he can also grow to the next level. And maybe the last but not least is a 17-year-old boy who is maybe one of the most talented guys in the pack. His name is Tayim Kaethoven, son of my physical and mental coach. I have known “Jimpy” since he was a small kid and from day 1 he wanted to be a sidecar passenger, just like me. His father brought me to the highest level and I want to do this with Tayim also as his coach. Next year will be his first full WSC season with Iljen Kops. I expect a lot from Tayim in the next 5 years.
The AMS is a strong engine, along with other four-stoke manufacturers. Do you see things moving even more to four-stokes, or will Zabel fight back, and Mega grow?
Koen: Yes, more teams are riding the 4-strokes. It’s the future. Well, electric bikes are the future haha but for now the 4 strokes. Mega is on a good way, and P-power also. It’s good to have a much different engine. Before everyone was riding Zabel. So not easy to make a difference with power. Now we did have 3 different engines in the top 3. Thats good.
You must believe you can win the title next year, and if so, will that be your final season?
Ben: Yes I believe that! If everything works out like it should be then we must be able to battle for the championship against Marvin and Nicolas. So now 100% focus on 2024! Sidecarcross is not my full-time job, so it costs us a lot of time, energy, and money, so we have to look at it year by year. I made the promise to Kelly that I’m not gonna say anymore that 2024 will be my last season. It can be my last year or maybe not. :)
