MxLarge Story
Shaun Simpson interview - Hunting for a title
Interview Thursday 22th September 2011 By Tom Jacobs
The Belgian LS Honda Racing outfit is ready to finish the 2011 motocross season in style at Mont-Saint Guibert where the final round of the Lotto Trophy will take place. Shaun Simpson stands on the threshold of the title in the highly regarded Belgian Open Motocross Championship. He currently leads the series with a 53-point lead over the Italian Davide Guarneri.
Ken De Dycker, who makes his comeback in Mont-Saint Guibert after sustaining a neck injury at the GP of Limburg in Lommel, is third trailing his team mate by 63 points. With 75 points up for grabs Shaun needs to score 23 points to be crowned champion.
It would be Simpson’s first accolade in the MX1 class, the popular British rider already claimed the British MX2 title in 2008.
It would be Simpson’s first accolade in the MX1 class, the popular British rider already claimed the British MX2 title in 2008.
The Mont-Saint Guibert track, based in a huge sand quarry is arguably one of the finest in Belgium. Ken De Dycker had the opportunity to sample the course on Wednesday, Big Ken was beaming with enthusiasm afterwards. “It feels great to be back on the bike! I was happy to find out I had no discomfort at all, not even stiffness in my neck. I’m really looking forward to race again this weekend. The track is awesome to race as well. Last year was a bit of a bummer because we had to ride a shortened layout. Now I had a similar feel to when I discovered the track a couple of years ago. It’s big, wide, fun to ride and there are some cool jumps.”
For LS Honda Racing the title with Shaun Simpson would mean a third consecutive national title after Davide Guarneri’s Italian MX1 Championship in 2010 and Clément Desalle’s domestic success in 2009. While ‘Braveheart’ feels at home in the Low Countries, where he has lived during the season since 2007, we wanted to know how much Belgian there is in the fast Scott!
You are living in Overpelt now, but you also lived in Holland one year. Do you notice the difference between Dutch people and Belgian people?
Shaun Simpson: “Obviously the language is a little bit different, especially with the accent and also with how people behave. (smiles) Dutch people are definitely louder and more direct! I can’t say I prefer one more than the other, but I had fun in Belgium as well as in Holland and made friends everywhere.”
Shaun Simpson: “Obviously the language is a little bit different, especially with the accent and also with how people behave. (smiles) Dutch people are definitely louder and more direct! I can’t say I prefer one more than the other, but I had fun in Belgium as well as in Holland and made friends everywhere.”
Ok, let’s test you knowledge about Belgium. What’s the capital city?
Simpson: “Brussels.”
Correct! How many official official languages are being used in Belgium?
Simpson: “There’s two for sure, Dutch and French. Do they speak German in some parts? Is Flemish a separate language, or is it a dialect?
There’s three languages: Dutch, French and German. Flemish is just a dialect, like Scottish in Great-Britain I guess. When was Belgium founded?
Simpson: “I have no clue, I am not good at history. (laughing) Don’t ask me about the first king, I don’t even know who was the first British king was!”
What other sports besides motocross is Belgium famous for?
Simpson: “For sure cycling, road cycling and cyclocross. Other than that, is ice hockey big? I know Ken (De Dycker) likes that. I’m really a two-wheel guy myself.”
Tennis, judo, athletics and billiard are also pretty strong. Can you name five Belgian bands or music acts?
Correct! How many official official languages are being used in Belgium?
Simpson: “There’s two for sure, Dutch and French. Do they speak German in some parts? Is Flemish a separate language, or is it a dialect?
There’s three languages: Dutch, French and German. Flemish is just a dialect, like Scottish in Great-Britain I guess. When was Belgium founded?
Simpson: “I have no clue, I am not good at history. (laughing) Don’t ask me about the first king, I don’t even know who was the first British king was!”
What other sports besides motocross is Belgium famous for?
Simpson: “For sure cycling, road cycling and cyclocross. Other than that, is ice hockey big? I know Ken (De Dycker) likes that. I’m really a two-wheel guy myself.”
Tennis, judo, athletics and billiard are also pretty strong. Can you name five Belgian bands or music acts?
Simpson: “I’m not good with music I am afraid. I know that Werchter is a big festival, and I went there a few times but I can’t remember any bands, sorry! I hardly know British bands. Man this is hard work your quiz!”
Okay, something easy. Who’s your favourite Belgian babe?
Simpson: “Belgian babe? (rolls his eyes) I don’t watch a lot of TV so I’m not familiar with the names, but for sure you have some nice girls in Belgium!”
Okay, something easy. Who’s your favourite Belgian babe?
Simpson: “Belgian babe? (rolls his eyes) I don’t watch a lot of TV so I’m not familiar with the names, but for sure you have some nice girls in Belgium!”
What’s your favourite Belgian dish?
Simpson: “I like witloof, I’m not even sure we have that back home! Fries are also nice and frikandel special.”
Simpson: “I like witloof, I’m not even sure we have that back home! Fries are also nice and frikandel special.”
Can you name two Belgian comic book characters?
Simpson: “Beats me, I’m not into comics even not the American ones. I have to admit I’m pretty boring!
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