Clement Desalle retires after 2020 (or does he?)

Motofinne
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Motofinne
Edited Date/Time 10/21/2020 12:05pm
Big news, Desalle retires. What a great career he's had though, one of the fastest ever to not win a title.

Visa det här inlägget på Instagram

After 15 seasons of GP, 11 as factory rider. I ll stop the Grand Prix of motocross end of this year. I m thankfull for what it bring to me. I m really happy I could be a professionel motocross rider in the world championship on a good level (a dream when I was little boy). This decision now because of a package of reasons, but I respect the rules I gave myself a long time ago. And to be honnest it's coming more and more difficult to enjoy the riding and life in GP for me. The sure thing is that I ll love forever riding a motocross bike and during I can I ll ride. I could not achieve one dream to be world champion but It's like that. Big thanks to everyone who support me. #cd25 Après 15 saisons de GP, 11 en tant que pilote d'usine. Je vais arrêter les Grand Prix de motocross à la fin de cette saison. Je suis très reconnaissant de tout ce que cela m'a apporté. Je suis très content d'avoir été pilote professionnel de motocross en championnat du monde à un bon niveau (un rêve en étant petit). Cette décision maintenant à cause de plusieurs raisons. Et je respect les règles que je me suis fixées. Et pour être honnête, ça devient de plus en plus dur de prendre plaisir en GP (circuits,...). Ce qui est sure c'est que j'adorerai pour toujours rouler en moto. Je n'ai pas su atteindre un de mes rêves d'être champion du monde mais c'est comme ça. Un grand merci à tout le monde qui m'a supporté. #cd25

Ett inlägg delat av Clément Desalle (@mx_panda) 13 Okt 2020 kl. 11:46 PDT



Edit: A rumor from MX Vice. He looks at the US nationals in 2021.
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Bidirella
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Bidirella 10/13/2020 12:07pm
10/13/2020 12:07pm
Wow, didn’t see that one coming! Big suprise..

Congrats on a great career Panda!
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bayodome
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bayodome 10/13/2020 1:03pm
10/13/2020 1:03pm
Bummer to see him go. He was a great rider and always seemed very professional off the bike as well.

Anyone know who will replace him on the KRT squad?
WCRider
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WCRider 10/13/2020 1:07pm
10/13/2020 1:07pm
bayodome wrote:
Bummer to see him go. He was a great rider and always seemed very professional off the bike as well. Anyone know who will replace him...
Bummer to see him go. He was a great rider and always seemed very professional off the bike as well.

Anyone know who will replace him on the KRT squad?
Watson I think
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visser62
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visser62 10/13/2020 1:13pm
10/13/2020 1:13pm
Sad to see him go, but happy he gets to do it on his own terms. For a few years there the Panda was so fast. He might've won that 2015 title if not for injury.
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Prntscrn
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Prntscrn 10/13/2020 1:34pm
10/13/2020 1:34pm Edited Date/Time 10/13/2020 1:38pm
How humble this comes of Laughing I mean it's true but funny

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Mr. Afterbar
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Mr. Afterbar 10/13/2020 1:47pm
10/13/2020 1:47pm
Sad to see this, but glad that he’s going out on his own terms. Always one of my favorite GP riders. This news comes as a bit of a shock.
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cdm806
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cdm806 10/13/2020 1:50pm
10/13/2020 1:50pm
I loved watching him come over to Unadilla and battle Dungey for the lead all day. Wish more GP riders would come do a few Nationals, and vice versa
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M-M
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M-M 10/13/2020 2:08pm
10/13/2020 2:08pm Edited Date/Time 10/13/2020 2:09pm
cdm806 wrote:
I loved watching him come over to Unadilla and battle Dungey for the lead all day. Wish more GP riders would come do a few Nationals...
I loved watching him come over to Unadilla and battle Dungey for the lead all day. Wish more GP riders would come do a few Nationals, and vice versa
Definitely turned a few heads that weekend.


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M-M
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M-M 10/13/2020 2:10pm
10/13/2020 2:10pm Edited Date/Time 10/13/2020 2:14pm
Also in the 2013 mxon winning team.

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agn5009
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agn5009 10/13/2020 2:10pm
10/13/2020 2:10pm
Hes had a great and long career, definitely one of the best ever competing in the GP's. Congrats CD25.
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Jordan421
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Jordan421 10/13/2020 2:13pm
10/13/2020 2:13pm
10 years ago I was in the navy and was deployed in Spain at the time. During my stay, this was the first time watching a GP race, and the way he was able to bully his was through the pack to take the race win (I can’t remember what race it was) got me hooked on GP’s for good. He sure had pure raw talent and grit to win every race he was in. Hell of a career and enjoy your retirement man, well deserved.
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Suicidal_Tendencies 10/13/2020 3:31pm
10/13/2020 3:31pm
7446pats wrote:
Stats edit I made today [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/13/454045/s1200_ABC14AFE_E752_4C3E_AD5E_6873E5C832D9.jpg[/img]
Stats edit I made today
That's really cool. I became a fan when he came over and raced a National in 2010. Super fast.
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USA
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USA 10/13/2020 3:34pm
10/13/2020 3:34pm
7446pats wrote:
Stats edit I made today [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/13/454045/s1200_ABC14AFE_E752_4C3E_AD5E_6873E5C832D9.jpg[/img]
Stats edit I made today
Winning 10% of the races you competed in on the world stage is very impressive. Enjoy it, panda! Going out one of the last of the gnarly OGs

That post from Herlings is funny as hell.
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crusty_xx
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crusty_xx 10/13/2020 3:36pm
10/13/2020 3:36pm
I remember when he raced a German national in 2006 or so. He was relatively unknown back then and killed in on the 450 with 16 years. He had that smooth riding style back then already
ATKpilot99
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ATKpilot99 10/13/2020 3:37pm
10/13/2020 3:37pm
7446pats wrote:
Stats edit I made today [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/13/454045/s1200_ABC14AFE_E752_4C3E_AD5E_6873E5C832D9.jpg[/img]
Stats edit I made today
That's an impressive record. I didn't know he had that many wins.
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Lurk Ing
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Lurk Ing 10/13/2020 3:59pm
10/13/2020 3:59pm
For many years, he kept Suzuki in the big picture. Always there giving the champs nightmares.




And 2013 MXoN champion
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RG1
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RG1 10/13/2020 4:32pm
10/13/2020 4:32pm
Great rider and a great guy. Sad to see him retire but he can be very proud of an extremely impressive career.
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Park Boys
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Park Boys 10/13/2020 5:16pm
10/13/2020 5:16pm Edited Date/Time 10/13/2020 5:18pm
7446pats wrote:
Stats edit I made today [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/13/454045/s1200_ABC14AFE_E752_4C3E_AD5E_6873E5C832D9.jpg[/img]
Stats edit I made today
ATKpilot99 wrote:
That's an impressive record. I didn't know he had that many wins.
Everyone of em on a 450, for most ACs 2009 - 14 title run DeSalle was really the only one who could be a thorn in his side.
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Neverclear
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Neverclear 10/13/2020 6:15pm
10/13/2020 6:15pm Edited Date/Time 10/13/2020 6:16pm
cdm806 wrote:
I loved watching him come over to Unadilla and battle Dungey for the lead all day. Wish more GP riders would come do a few Nationals...
I loved watching him come over to Unadilla and battle Dungey for the lead all day. Wish more GP riders would come do a few Nationals, and vice versa
M-M wrote:
Definitely turned a few heads that weekend. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/10/13/454020/s1200_desalle_unadilla_cox_2010_001.jpg[/img]
Definitely turned a few heads that weekend.


My son and I took my Mother-in-Law to 'dilla that year. Ever since, she always asks "How's the Panda doing this season?"
Dungey had to really step it up to win that day, and we all became huge fans of DeSalle. I hope he has a great post MX life...
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DeStouwer
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DeStouwer 10/13/2020 11:27pm
10/13/2020 11:27pm Edited Date/Time 10/14/2020 2:38am
The most winning rider who never became worldchampion retires. Practically his whole career he had to fight against Cairoli, like Bervoets had to fight against Everts.

- 23 GP's
- 1 MXoN (2013, together with De Dycker and Van Horebeek)
- 1 Belgian national title (2009)
- 3 times vice-worldchampion (2010, 2012, 2013)
- 3 times third overall (2009, 2011, 2018)
- 2 times second in MXoN (2010, 2012)
- 1 time third in MXoN (2009)
- Winner of the Open class at the 2010 MXoN
- 5 MXoN-selections (actually more, he had to forfait a couple of times due to injuries)

Also, in my opinion, he will remain the last true GP-rider who voiced his opinion on several occasions against Luongo / YouthStream / Infront or organisers in general, without a fear of kickback. Even for this reason alone he is and will remain a great champion among the very great to me.

I hope he can enjoy life now the way he wants, together with his wife Andrea and daughter Emma.

Thanks for the memories Panda!
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FARANG
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FARANG 10/13/2020 11:50pm
10/13/2020 11:50pm
Best of luck to him, I always liked Desalle.
Cortami79
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Cortami79 10/14/2020 1:02am
10/14/2020 1:02am
A great rider, athlete and person. He wasn't known for his social media presence, but his character was unique in the paddock. He really made life difficult for Cairoli for a few years. Injuries cost him a lot to get to the world title unfortunately, but he has had an amazing career.

Two years ago after the season end, he came to our club to give a riders clinic for young riders. Really friendly guy. Passionate in his sport and health, which resulted in a very educational day for these kids. Both on and off the track he gave great tips about technique, sleep, dedication and focus. Hopefully he can stay involved in the sport in the future.

photo credit : Boaz Timmermans
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keinz
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keinz 10/14/2020 8:35am
10/14/2020 8:35am
It was like ages ago when I first heard of him, because he totally skipped the the MX2 class, and went straight to the MX1 in the world scene. At age 17! I don't know anything about panda's balls, but Clement def has them
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skeef
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skeef 10/14/2020 9:36am
10/14/2020 9:36am
Lurk Ing wrote:
For many years, he kept Suzuki in the big picture. Always there giving the champs nightmares. [img]https://live.staticflickr.com/2910/14146263300_60dafe3436_c.jpg[/img] [img]https://images1.suzuki-racing.com/images_temp/1/58063/42134.9158101852/1600/0/FFFFFF/0/mxgp6clement-desalle34.jpg[/img] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8c/24/ff/8c24ff75a4a1d37119e35940ee57b231.jpg[/img] [img]https://www.thormx.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/podium_CX7C9883.jpg[/img] And 2013 MXoN champion
For many years, he kept Suzuki in the big picture. Always there giving the champs nightmares.




And 2013 MXoN champion
dang... kyb, akrapovic, and a red seat. What a sweet looking machine.
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Titane
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Titane 10/14/2020 11:39am
10/14/2020 11:39am
bayodome wrote:
Bummer to see him go. He was a great rider and always seemed very professional off the bike as well. Anyone know who will replace him...
Bummer to see him go. He was a great rider and always seemed very professional off the bike as well.

Anyone know who will replace him on the KRT squad?
WCRider wrote:
Watson I think
No way
He’s not deserving this factory spot
I see him more at Covington place
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Motofinne
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Motofinne 10/21/2020 12:54am
10/21/2020 12:54am Edited Date/Time 10/21/2020 1:02am
Retiring from GPs, but open for a fill-in ride in USA? I guess we'll have to put a question mark regarding him retiring from racing.

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Bidirella
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Bidirella 10/21/2020 1:11am
10/21/2020 1:11am
That change quickly if that true. Would be good hire for JGR with a outdoors only contract
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