Yes, I ask, because I just sold my house in Holland and moved into an apartment in the city of Arnhem, just down the road from where the Grand Prix is run. I had a large house by Dutch standards and to be honest, it’s the best thing I have ever done. No repairs needed, no mowing the lawn, or all that stuff that goes with owning a big house. The apartment is right in the city, so a nice little walk to the shops or cafes. I love it.
Yes, similar to that. We are also moving into an apartment, downtown in Hasselt and we always had this in mind, later on. Be in the heart of a nice city and Hasselt is really nice and, it is earlier than we planned, but it is less stress, because as you said, a big house means a lot of things to do. A lot of things to fix and yes, it is just more stress and now downsizing makes life easier.
You have such an amazing collection of motocross stuff. What are you going to do with all of it?
At the moment, it is in a warehouse and that is for now, but we will see what we do with it in the future.
The FIM are making a motorcycle racing museum, would you consider having some of it there?
At the moment, no. If you asked me right now, no, I wouldn’t do that. I first want to get a bit sorted in this big change in my life. I definitely want to do something with it all, but what, and where and how, I don’t know yet.
We just had the Motocross of Nations, did you go?
No.
Have you missed many Nations over the years?
Since I retired, I have missed this year and last year Liam didn’t race. I didn’t go when it was last in America, I went to Ernee, I went to Mantova, and before that, I missed a couple.
Does it still raise emotions for you, because it was such a great race for you?
Yes, maybe not as extreme as when I was a rider, but I saw this last one in America, and it was a great one. The sport is alive for that event and that is great to see, and it does bring back some great memories.
For Belgium, Liam and the two Coenen’s, so much potential in that team. They had some crashes, but you must be excited for the next decade with these three racing for your country.
Yes, let’s hope so. Let’s hope it keeps going well for them and each year we can have a strong team. I hope those guys stay motivated, because when they (Coenen’s) go to America, maybe their attitude will change. We will see, but for sure, it’s great potential. Pity they couldn’t do it this year.