By Touted by many as the Netherlands current leading pure road racer, IRRC (International Road Racing Championship) great Joey Den Besten is the next rider to take part in, Road Racing News ten questions challenge.
The reigning IRRC Supersport champion’s answers to the popular series of questions, are as follows:
Q1: Favourite National Roads Meeting?
“For me the IRRC is the best racing championship, at this moment in time. It is also good to combine it with other events and my normal life. With the IRRC we venture to five different countries and that’s pretty cool.”
Q2: Favourite Racing Bike?
“Till now it’s the Yamaha R6. I could do a lot with that bike, nothing was too crazy. Drifting in to corners was definitely cool! But on the road tracks it was sometimes a bit to dangerous, so I had to calm down that technique.”
Q3: What’s the best part of competing on the roads?
“It’s the people around the events that make the events. All the fans and visitors that come and enjoy the races.
They make it special for me. The track conditions are also a challenge, they change continuously so we are always busy to find the right setup.”
Photo by Robby Repsol
Q4: TT, North West 200 or Ulster Grand Prix?
“The North West 200 was for me last year, my first big roads event. I only rode in the 600cc class and there was not so much time to learn the course.
I also encountered problems including a leaking tire and radiator problem, so I had some bad luck. I had to push myself to get some laps done prior to qualifying, but with a leaking rear tire it was very hard and not a very funny situation!
This year I will ride again at the North West 200, but this time with the big bike.”
Q5: Most Respected Rival?
“Every rider who I am battling with that races hard, on the limit but fair earns my respect.”
Q6: Best roads moment thus far?
“The IRRC meetings at Hengelo and Horice in 2017. I was so fast and pushing really hard those weekends. Afterwards I thought how have I rode like that and not crashed. Another personal highlight was the final meeting of the season at Frohburg, which was a thriller!
Broke 2 engines and had a lot other troubles. Me and the mechanics where busy all day and night to keep it going. With the dirt on my hands I put the gloves on and still managed to keep it calm, and became the Supersport champion.”
Q7: Is their one place or country in the world, where you would like to see a roads meeting held?
“Here in the Netherlands, there are some good old circuits where they raced back in the days! Would be great to get more of these events back on the calendar. It will also be good for the dutch racing fans!”
Q8: Who’s your road racing hero?
“My hero is Jochem Van Den Hoek.”
Q9: Supersport or Superbike?
“Superbike. This year I’m stepping up to the IRRC Superbike class. It will be a big challenge but I have some time to learn how to handle the power. This year will be a learning year.”
Q10: Pole position or fastest lap?
“Pole position, that means that you also have the fastest lap. It is always a good feeling when your times are good and that you can start the race from pole position. But it also adds a bit more pressure!”
Words by Stevie Rial
