International Road Race Legend from Yesteryear: Wilco Zeelenberg

The international road racing legend of yesteryear, where has he gone, what is he up to now, and how does he view today's road racing sport? In this section, we ask these former heroes a series of (the same) questions. This week: Wilco Zeelenberg

Wilco Zeelenberg waving flag

Who is Wilco Zeelenberg?

Name : Wilco Zeelenberg
Nickname : De Zeel
Date of Birth : 19-08-66
Nationality : Dutch
Current Residence: Bleiswijk
Start of road racing career : 1984
Race Classes Active in : 80cc, 125cc, 250cc, WorldSSP600
Championship Titles: Only national titles
End of road racing career : 2000 was the last season
Current profession : Team Manager, Trackhouse Racing MotoGP

How did you first get involved in road racing?

My father built a mini motocross bike for me when I was four years old.

Which rider did you have the best battles with on the track?

Luca Cadalora, Piere Francesco Chili, Carlos Cardus, John Kocinski.

Best motorcycle you've ridden and why?

The Honda NSR 250 – 90kg and 90hp, a beautiful combination of the sound and the smell of Castrol 747/2-stroke racing.

Favorite Circuit you have raced?

The old TT Circuit Assen, because of its layout, the spectators were very close to the track, and the fast corner combinations.

What is the strangest or most hilarious experience you've had in racing?

Once, I missed a race because I was fooling around with Bert Reurink's sister.

Do you have a special memory of racing in the Netherlands?

CMSNL is based in the Netherlands
Certainly, the three times I finished on the podium during the Dutch TT were amazing!

What is the best thing you've gained from racing?

A huge amount of experience in the sport!

What did you do after your active road racing career ended?

I became the technical coordinator at Yamaha Motor Europe for the racing department concerning the R6 and R1 bikes.

Wilco on the grid before the race

Are you still involved in the sport in any way?

Absolutely! See my current profession as Team Manager at Trackhouse Racing MotoGP.

Which current or past motorcycle would you like to ride?

I don't really have that desire. I still enjoy riding as an instructor on the track, but I don't have the ambition to do it on a specific bike.

For which current rider do you have a lot of respect and why?

All current riders in Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP have my respect! Despite their talent, they all have gone through a tough learning process; motorsport is not for the faint-hearted.

Who do you see as the greatest upcoming road racing talent and why?

Collin Veijer, we will see a lot more great things from this talent in the future.

Who will be the 2024 MotoGP & WorldSBK world champions?

Francesco Bagnaia in MotoGP, Toprak Razgatlioglu in the FIM Superbike World Championship.

With your experience, how do you view the current developments within international road racing?

I can't wait for all those ride height devices to be abolished! And for us to get a front tire that can handle the temperatures of the current MotoGP bikes.

Do you have anything to add?

Despite all the years I've been active in motorsport, I still enjoy every race and the riders' performances!

This blog was written in collaboration with Racesport.nl

source: https://www.racesport.nl/de...
issued: Friday, August 23, 2024
updated: Friday, August 23, 2024

link to this page:
https://www.cmsnl.com/news/international-road-race-legend-from-yesteryear-wilco-zeelenberg_news11979.html