A quick interview with World Champion Kenny Belaey the after his Italian victory and a few hours before the opening of the World Cup! After a majestic final in which he conceded just two points, the Monty/Red Bull/Adidas rider took the coveted winner’s jersey, which had been in the hands of Gilles Coustellier for three years. He was riding a new prototype Kamel 231 with a geometry more suited to the UCI Elite sections. Despite his ever-hectic schedule, Kenny managed to find a few minutes to tell us about his experience and a bit about his new bike. The most decorated and media-friendly rider of the moment also dropped the news that next season he will be riding for the famous US company GT, who have been making MTBs and BMXs for decades! "The Magician" will be joining another trials icon on the team, Hans "No Way" Rey! The two trials adventurers will be united on the one team for 2012! -Photos: Newspower/EOS - Pierre Teyssot.
Hi Kenny, so: the first big international UCI fixture, another victory, another title… Champion of Belgium, Europe and the World! Well done! It must be very satisfying?
Yeah, it’s amazing! It’s a difficult feeling to describe. It just feels good…. It’s completely satisfying!
Tell us a bit about the competition, you finished third in the rainy semi-final on Friday, separated from Gilles on most cleans and with Vincent in the lead. Sounds like a good start?
Yeah, I was in second place right up to the last section, but I was taking it a bit too easy and before I realised I had both my feet on the floor. That’s when I realised I needed to concentrate more the next day…
How did you tackle the final? You started before Gilles and Vincent; did that give you a strategic advantage, or the opposite?
No, I didn’t really have a strategy this time. I tried not to think about what was going on around me.
Before this first bige vent of the season, you went on a three-day training camp in Aywaille, with your tent on the roof of your van, for some non-stop trials with Iciar Van Den Bergh… it seems that it paid off! Tell us a bit about your preparation for this new title.
After organising the World Cup in Antwerp, the tendonitis and the Adidas advertising cazmpaign, the press and my sponsors let me take a bit of time to recover and to train… I think I deserved a bit of time to myself to relax, especially mentally. After ten years in Elite, I know that the way I ride is but a reflection of my state of mind, and I know how to manipulate that in my favour.
Iciar’s progression has been exponential lately. Another Belgian who’s broken into the top eight; good news for Belgian trials! Does it motivate you?
Yes, it’s great to see! It’s good for the sport in general as well. I knew he was going to make it into the final, but I never mentioned it to him; I still don’t know how well he copes under pressure. Something else that’s good is that he motivates me to ride better, and vice-versa… That’s good for the future of the sport…
Tell us a bit about you bike. You have a new Monty with a geo that has evolved in line with the current standards, with a higher BB, 20” stem, lengthened wheelbase and lower weight… Can you tell us a bit more about it?
That’s another boost for my confidence, I’d felt that I’ve been at a bit of a disadvantage compared to Gilles and Vincent over the last couple of seasons. But now I have a similar bike, with a +70 BB, the obstacles seem a bit lower and the rear wheel control is better. I chose a 1085 wheelbase, which suits my style. It’s better for bunnyhops and two-wheel control. Now that I’m sponsored byTrialtech, I chose their 20” stem and high rise bars, which suit the higher frame perfectly and give a more natural ride position.
Is this the precursor to a new production model?
Yes, they’re going to bring it out at the end of the year. I won’t be riding with Monty again next year, I’ll be with GT, but I’m going to be helping them out with input and advice for the time that we have left together…
Wow, Kenny Belaey on GT for 2012! That’s BIG NEWS, for you, and for trials! Nice one Kenny! The World Cups are just round the corner, are you ready? Yes, this victory has given me some confidence and I’m going to do my best to carry on riding well…
The 2013 World Championship will be held in South Africa, a country that you know well… Good news? Very, very good news! I love that country man, and I’ve been going there a lot since 2010, so I feel right at home there! I recommend that everyone who goes takes an extra week to have a holiday there… It’s paradise!
On the subject of South Africa, for those of us that haven’t yet seen the latest episodes of your Big Time Trials Adventure, will we have the chance to see them online one day?
Not yet, not yet… The channel still has exclusivity. Be patient!
Cool. Thanks for your time, anyway, and good luck for the rest of the season!
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