In the brand new workshop in Genk, there is one big mark around the first weekend of March. This is the weekend of the first GP in 2014 at the Losail track in Qatar. As we’re only 22 days away from this race everybody is counting down. The preparations for the new season are still going on but everybody is super motivated for 2014!

Marnicq Bervoets: “It’s already that time of the year again! The winter has gone by as it was only a couple of weeks, but it looks like everything is falling in the right place now. We’re testing some new parts, and more are coming next week so we’re almost ready to get going. Luke arrived in Belgium mid-January and starts to get used to the rhythm here. Also Petar worked hard this winter and I notice a good progression on him. Last week the riders went to Spain for training on the hard packed tracks and next week Petar and Luke will ride their first race in Valence. Cyril too worked hard this off-season and will ride his first race next week in Lommel. After Valence we will ride Hawkstone Park too to get some racing in the pockets before heading to Qatar.”

Petar Petrov: “I’m ready for it! I’ve trained a lot this winter and I feel ready to start the season. After so many laps in Lommel we went to Spain last week for some training on harder surface and I’m really happy with the result. The new Yamaha works really well and I feel comfortable on the track. I worked a lot on my starts too, because they were my weak point last year. I hope it improves but I will let you know on March 1 if I did it right!”

Luke Styke: “Everything starts to get going now and I’m really looking forward! For me it was a huge step coming to Europe. I left all the familiar faces in Australia for people I barely spoke before. I didn’t know anybody at all and they didn’t know me. In the beginning it was a bit strange but in the end everybody is great and helpful. At first it took me over a week to get over the jetlag, I could not find a good rhythm. And let’s not speak about the weather! When I left home it was summer and 40°C, so that was a big change too. But I’m having fun, it’s so nice to discover all the new things and people. Also the bike is great! I had to discover this new bike, and I’m happy about the progression so far. We’re just back in Belgium after a solid training week in Spain and I’m looking forward to test the new parts next week. Up to the first race now!”

Cyril Genot: “The last training sessions have been really good this week. I had a great winter and I’m well prepared for this year. Around Christmas I went to Spain for two weeks to train on the hard tracks. Now I’m doing physical training during the week and I ride on Wednesday and in the weekend, and that’s working really good now. I have a great training program, which Topsport Vlaanderen and Marnicq have put together for me and I can’t wait for the first race. On top of that my bike is working really well. I recently got the race bike and it’s flying!”

Copyright: Photo: Bavo Swijers

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