Feature Story
Kawasaki Legacy
Kevin Strijbos: From Rider to Coach
A New Career, The Same Team Green
Kevin Strijbos joined the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP 15 months ago to open a new chapter in his career, passing on his experience from two decades of racing the FIM Motocross World Championship to Romain Febvre. After twenty years of success at the highest level with numerous GP victories, the Motocross of Nations title with Belgium, and two silver medals in the MXGP World Championship a career switch is not always easy, but for Strijbos the next step, to share his wealth of experience with other riders, kept him in a familiar company at Team Green.
Racing for several manufacturers and teams during his illustrious racing career gave Strijbos the opportunity to develop his insider knowledge and improve his training over the years. He knew exactly what he needed to do to be a fierce competitor in his own right but sharing this experience with others was a different proposition. “For sure I now feel more comfortable in my job as it’s my second season as coach, but all riders are different and that’s what I still need to learn a little. Sometimes I would do something one way, but Romain says 'no, I want to do it this way' so I have to think about it and maybe find a compromise or follow his way. For me it’s not super-difficult; I wasn't really scared of that as I have much experience and did a lot of training for myself so it’s not completely new for me. I’m not the guy who needs to change his training and follow what you can see on the internet or elsewhere, and I feel that Romain is the same. We just stick to basics,” explained Strijbos, who is now working exclusively with Romain. “Romain wanted to have me with him full-time. That’s easier for me too as I can focus entirely on him; last year I had to follow two guys and that was not always easy.”
“Kevin Strijbos
To be honest, I was initially a little apprehensive to work with Romain; I knew him as a rider but not as a person. As soon as I had a meeting with him last year I saw that he was relaxed and approachable, and our working relationship immediately exceeded all expectations. The strongest point with Romain is that you don’t need to give him motivation; he is such a hard worker and always wants to push and push. Sometimes my job is actually to hold him back a little, to persuade him that he needs to take his time rather than to push him.
It’s an important year for him; when he came back last year he showed what he is capable of and we have had a really good winter. We did all the training that was on our schedule, and he is feeling fit and ready! We spent one month in Sardinia, and then we traveled a lot as most of the time I’m with him. Sometimes I even feel like I’m still a racer; I go cycling with Romain, go to the gym with him, the only difference is that I don’t ride anymore. It’s a full-time job and I love it!
“Nathalie Fase, Team Manager
F&H Kawasaki MX2 Racing Team is proud to line up this season with two young, strong talented riders in the FIM Motocross MX2 World Championship. Kevin Horgmo who finished fourth in the world championship with us last season looks stronger than ever after a perfect winter preparation and is ready to go for it. Our new Spanish talented member of the team David Braceras has recovered well from a minor injury earlier this winter period and we are confident that everything will work out with him step by step during the season.
