For former GP winner Marc De Reuver his position within the Grand Prix paddock is very much one of a young man making a mark in the sport, but now off the race track. De Reuver who trains Henry Jacobi, Adam Sterry and Roan van de Moosdijk is loving life and working with the very professional F&H Kawasaki outfit.

With F&H Kawasaki growing quickly and becoming a real force in the MX2 World championship, the addition of De Reuver as trainer has seen the team progress at a faster rate. The Dutch are known for their professional attitude and hard work, and that environment is perfect for De Reuver who loves a challenge and just as he did in his racing days wants to see his riders visit the GP podium as often as possible.

We caught up with the always friendly and positive Dutchman and talked about his riders and what they expect from the coming weeks and months.

MXlarge: Marc, Henry is riding really well at the moment. Obviously, but Prado is also riding really well at the moment and it seems like he is a level above everyone else.

De Reuver: Yes, Prado is too good, but that is okay, you also see he can make mistakes and you never know in championship and I am not saying Henry will be World champion, but Prado is better at the moment but behind him, we are all equal. Watson, Olsen, they are all together and its good.

MXlarge: What impressed me about Trentino was seeing three 18-year olds on the podium. I know 18 isn’t young when you compare to Roczen and Herlings winning GPs at 15, but it was cool to see those young guys doing well. That class is just really strong at the moment.

De Reuver: Yes, it is super, and I didn’t expect it to be like this. It is really nice to watch, they all want to win, or go for the podium.

MXlarge: Henry got five top fives in 2018, and this year after four rounds he already has seven moto top fives. He seemed to think it was a little bit of everything. What is the difference for you from Henry 2018 and Henry 2019?

De Reuver: His fitness wasn’t good in November and we knew that, and we worked on that. He also has a very good bike and a very good program, and that works. I know when they follow the program, it works. I had some moments with him, because everything is new and we argued, but he listened very well, and it works.

MXlarge: What were the arguments about?

De Reuver: Well, his results are good now. We are not on Prado level yet, and if you want to go to Prado level, you need to continue. It isn’t like after one podium the season is over. He said to me, I have a podium now I want to go for wins, and I said, Henry, I don’t think so, this is just the start. I need to push him around sometimes and that is my job and I like that, so it’s good.

MXLarge: How are you enjoying your work this year, say compared with Jonass when you won a championship?

De Reuver: Working with Pauls, we had a good feeling, but I also have it with these guys. I had a good feeling with Pauls, and we got the championship, but also with Henry, Adam and Ronan, we have a very nice group.

MXlarge: I remember you telling me at the start of the season that Henry needs to slow down sometimes. I mentioned that to him, and he agreed that he thinks more now, because he has more oxygen in his brain. That telling him to slow down, do you still need to tell him to do that?

De Reuver: All the time, all the time. Not at the Dutch championship, there he just goes hard, he knows it is a little easier and he was comfortable in the lead. Those races he can do himself, he doesn’t make mistakes. He got two moto wins and an easy race, but in Arco, then you need to help him. He was a little in panic on Saturday in the pre qualifying. You have four GPs and you are on the podium or top four and suddenly you are 14^th in pre-qualification, then everybody is a little nervous. That is normal, I had that happen to me a million times in my life. And then I talk to him and he was amazing on Sunday.

MXlarge: How important is the Dutch championship for the team, I can imagine it is as important as the GP races?

De Reuver: Very important, of course, we are a Dutch team and my boss has invested a lot of money into the team and he deserves this. I hope we can win this with Henry. Adam is still there, but with Ronan, he lost a complete moto yesterday, and then you are gone in the championship. It is only four rounds.

MXlarge: How about Adam, he seems to be struggling a little this year?

De Reuver: Not really, but in timed practice, there is always something happening at the moment. Also, last weekend, very solid. He made a crash, but he was very solid, so he is getting better again, and he has had some bad luck, but the luck will turn soon for him.

MXLarge: Hey, MXGP in Trentino. What did you think as a fan?

De Reuver: What can I say. It was nice, really good. It was super and we need those two guys out there. There is no easy winner and we need that. What impressed me the most was Cairoli? At his age, he puts it on the limit, but at his age, how does he want to win that much.

MXlarge: I think that is what stood out for me, even while Tim won, what I was most impressed with was the fact that Tony still wants it so bad, he was really riding over the edge in Trentino.

De Reuver: That is what I mean, where does he get that drive from after so many championships and race wins. Amazing.

Bavo Swijgers image