The greatest motocross rider of all time, Belgian’s Stefan Everts is obviously part of a very famous motocross family and there may one day be another world champion named Everts.
The father of record 10-time world champion Stefan Everts is Harry Everts, himself a four-time world champion, and now Stefan’s son Liam has just signed up to ride for the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team.
This photo above (Liam Everts at left and Stefan, right) was taken at the Junior Motocross World Championships in Australia in 2018 (four years ago), but Liam Everts is now just as tall and strong as his father.
The question now is has he got the same world championship-winning ability?
Having raced for a handful of factory teams himself, Stefan Everts knows the pressures and expectations of having a factory ride, however, he feels his son is more than ready to accept the challenge and make the most of his chance inside the factory system.
“I am very proud and happy he got his chance now,” Stefan said.
“It wasn’t an easy ride for him until now; some injuries and some up and down periods and of course, being the follow-up of his father and grandfather … He is a hard worker with a lot of passion and heart, he put a lot into it, and of course, he wants to reach his goal and become a World Champion one day.
“I am really happy that he has a factory team behind him to go to the next level. Of course, he needs to show and prove he is worthy of such a ride, but I am sure he will continue to make his progress, like he did the past year, and let’s see where we end up.”
As a record 10-time world champion, the experience that Stefan has can’t always be relayed to Liam, but the relationship between the two makes sure that Liam’s entry into the major league of MX2 championship racing could be a little easier than that of many other factory rookie riders.
“Of course, sometimes when we are racing, I see things coming and how it will end up, but that is a lack of experience and he still needs to improve a lot of things on the bike, but he has only done one GP season.
“Some kids learn fast, and some learn a little bit slower, and he is taking his time. He really learns step by step and I keep seeing him making progress. I believe that is a good way to move forward.”
The Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team has a handful of multiple world champions in their personnel, including Antonio Cairoli, Joel Smets and Heinz Kinigadner and while that gives a lot of experience, it is still up to the riders in the team to make the transition from a middle of the field rider to a Grand Prix winner or podium finisher.
“The guys who are there, plus the back-up team, with all the championships they have won, are one thing but at the end of the day, Liam is on the bike himself and he needs to turn the throttle, make the right decisions and go fast. You can have a million championships on the side, but in the end you have to do it by yourself!”
So, while many will be looking at the famous names inside the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing team, look out for that young man Liam Everts, taking in as much as he can from the more experienced former champions and hopefully also scoring some major points in his first season as a factory rider.
Words courtesy Geoff Meyer
© Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ
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