Posts
3834
Joined
3/27/2008
Location
Capistrano Beach, CA, USA
Edited Date/Time
1/27/2012 12:52pm
Pierre Karsmakers : « On a bike and without assistance at 62 »
This guy is incredible. At 62-years of age, he is the oldest rider entered in the Dakar. To make it an even greater challenge, he has decided to do it without assistance. And the craziest thing in all this is that; Pierre Karsmakers could finish in the top 50 in the world’s most difficult rally. “It is good to ride slowly for two days then very fast on the following two, if you feel good on the bike”, says this phenomenon. “Strategy is essential. You have to see how the other riders are riding and adapt.”
Pierre Karsmakers’ Dakar debut dates back to 1987. An unknown in the rally, the Dutch rider created a major surprise in his first participation finishing 10th overall. After a crash the following year, he tried with a truck and a car, often spacing out his entries every three of four years. In 2000, he returned on a bike along with his 23-year old son Jyrki. “He finished 25th”, says a very proud father. But he did better, finishing 13th overall, at the tender age of 53.
For Pierre Karsmakers, the Dakar represents a second sporting life. The Dutchman with the French surname – a reference to his mother’s origins – made a name for himself as a professional motocross rider in the 1960’s and 70’s. After winning three championships in Holland, he joined the Yamaha team in the United States, where he won the 1974 title. “After retiring in 1980, at 34-years of age, I needed another challenge”, says Pierre. “This corresponds to my need for adventure.
I will ride without assistance because when you do everything on your own you really learn about yourself. And, I have a really good BMW bike that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance in the bivouac.” In the race, the old sage could beat a great number of those who could be his sons.
This guy is incredible. At 62-years of age, he is the oldest rider entered in the Dakar. To make it an even greater challenge, he has decided to do it without assistance. And the craziest thing in all this is that; Pierre Karsmakers could finish in the top 50 in the world’s most difficult rally. “It is good to ride slowly for two days then very fast on the following two, if you feel good on the bike”, says this phenomenon. “Strategy is essential. You have to see how the other riders are riding and adapt.”
Pierre Karsmakers’ Dakar debut dates back to 1987. An unknown in the rally, the Dutch rider created a major surprise in his first participation finishing 10th overall. After a crash the following year, he tried with a truck and a car, often spacing out his entries every three of four years. In 2000, he returned on a bike along with his 23-year old son Jyrki. “He finished 25th”, says a very proud father. But he did better, finishing 13th overall, at the tender age of 53.
For Pierre Karsmakers, the Dakar represents a second sporting life. The Dutchman with the French surname – a reference to his mother’s origins – made a name for himself as a professional motocross rider in the 1960’s and 70’s. After winning three championships in Holland, he joined the Yamaha team in the United States, where he won the 1974 title. “After retiring in 1980, at 34-years of age, I needed another challenge”, says Pierre. “This corresponds to my need for adventure.
I will ride without assistance because when you do everything on your own you really learn about yourself. And, I have a really good BMW bike that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance in the bivouac.” In the race, the old sage could beat a great number of those who could be his sons.
This year the Dakar Rally is in Argentina.First time it's not being held in Africa.
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A true champion.
Guys like these are nothing short of amazing.
Sure he was older than me & my rider,
but an awesome guy just the same.
He kinda took my rider at the time
Mike Bell under his wing & I know that Mike
appreciated it. Me too. many lessons to be had
for sure......Moto, training, testing, just thinking!
I remember those days well. It shaped me, &
honned me for sure. We all got along great.
Pierre, Ed"the Field Marshall"Schidler, his
Ace mechanic, Bell & myself......good times,
hard serious work (relentless testing),
always fun & funny as well. Love him or hate
him, that guy, beyond all the others, really
helped shape American Moto, & there's no
denying that one. "True Grit always 100%"....
That's the Pierre I know & remember.
Dave O.
His Brother, Paul, handles Leatt in Holland and a lot of Europe (along with Paul's daughter, Lenny)
Pieter Does is his nephew, and he is the President of Twin-Air
Rob Karsmakers runs TMV, pretty much the primary distributor of MX accessories in Holland
All super nice great people
I spent a week end hanging out with Toon, and his wife Rian, at the Vet Natioanls where as he proceeded to whip my ass ( I have excuses) we went to the Monsters of MX, and had a blast. Good people, and they will be back to defend this year.
Funny note, Toon, & Rian, spent a week at the beach below my house prior to meeting them.
Coolest guy I met through them was Henry Rosenthal and his wife Sunny. As Henry says, he is the "Thal" in RenTHAL.
Cool nutty guy with a strange fascination with trains and coo-coo clocks
Pierre was my hero and a major influence when I just started riding. I remember he and Tim Hart on Team Yamaha back in the day. (Everyone wanted a YZ with the tank straps)
I know this is an old blog, but Pierre will always be cool!
Chris
i was always impressed by his pure speed back then and his style was very cool too
Great memories.
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