It is a legacy that has been built over 50 years. The win by the third generation of Everts just makes the Belgian family’s legacy not just special, but unbelievable.
If you told somebody that the little kid carried onto the podium on numerous occasions in 2006, in the arms of his father Stefan Everts, was going to become a factory racer, a Grand Prix podium man and eventually a Grand Prix winner, well, you would have been laughed at.
Surely you can’t have three generations of GP winners. Yes, you can!
When Liam Everts crossed the finish line in Germany last weekend, his father and grandfather embraced.
Side by side watching, they had celebrated many times before, but this one was even more special than even those great victories by Stefan, when he captured 101 GP wins and his 10 World motocross championships.
The success of your own child far outweighs that of your own. Harry Everts knew that from his enjoyment from watching Stefan win, and now, Stefan himself gets to feel that same emotion as his father felt all those years ago. For Liam, it is all a new experience, but one that he celebrated well.
Belgium’s Stefan Everts, holding his young son Liam on the podium at the Motocross of Nations in England in 2006. Photo by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
“It’s definitely nice to win this one,” Liam Everts said. “We made some good steps with the bike, and I felt ‘at one’ with it. The pressure is not easy in my shoes.
“I’m the third generation of our family and I have to perform. I proved something this weekend. It is a load-off my shoulders, but I want to keep going. I felt good and could push right to the end of that second race. I stayed smooth and counted down the laps. Hard work pays off!”
Prior to the win in Germany, Liam Everts had of course finished on the podium on two occasions, that itself was a huge achievement and one that he didn’t downplay.
The first podium in Trentino in Italy and the second in France. The Italian one was special, as his father had also podiumed at Trentino in one of his first ever top three results in his career.
“Very cool. The second race was much better than the first and I had a lot of fun out there. My first podium: I did not expect it to come at this GP. I had two great starts, but I had a wake-up call from Andrea (Adamo) in the first race! My transition to the team and the bike is going well. I’m happy.”
With his confidence building and a new plan to give himself more room to deal with the pressure, Everts again walked the long stairway to the podium and despite not always feeling comfortable with the high speed of the French track, he again proved he is more than just the son of “The King”.
“I had a lot of fun with the track on Saturday. Today it was a bit too fast, and I’m pleased to walk away today in one piece and with a good result as well. I never gave up and kept pushing 100%. My second podium; I’m super-happy.”
Now onto Indonesia and two rounds that will again test the young Belgian rider. His confidence growing with every round of the 2023 MX2 Championship, you just know that another GP win is around the corner and no better place that in Asia, where his father won his first ever motocross world title back in 1991 at the Grand Prix of Japan.
Words by Geoff Meyer
© Photos by Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ.com
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