Winners and world champions: Netherlands lead / Supersport World Cup 300

The paddocks of the international motorcycle racing series are full of fast riders from Spain and Italy. A reality that continues in all categories – from MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3, to the Superbike World Championship and Supersport classes. Drivers from Northern Europe, the United States, Asia, Australia and South America have almost become foreigners. Furthermore, it is often said, “if you want to be successful in motorcycle racing, you must start your career in Spain or Italy.”

For many this seems to be the only way.

Talented drivers who have completed youth programs in countries outside of Spain or Italy continue to prove that it doesn’t always have to be this way. An example of success at the moment is the Netherlands, where, together with superbike ace Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW), a whole series of riders has recently shown amazing success.

Jeffrey Buis is already a two-time Supersport 300 world champion with Kawasaki (2020 and 2023). In the current season he won the first race in Barcelona on his debut on a KTM RC 390 R. With Scott Deroue, Koen Meuffels, Victor Steeman, who died too early, and Loris Veneman, four other Dutchmen have won in the smallest category of the series-based world championship and three more podium places.

The work of the youth in the Netherlands in the last ten years is bearing fruit. One man is largely responsible for this: former sports car driver Barry Veneman. At the Dutch motorcycle racing association KNMV, he was responsible for young talent for ten years until 2022, along with other former racing drivers such as Roy Apel and Leon Bouvet. “When I started in the Dutch team, we had big plans and a lot was possible,” Veneman reflects on his early days in an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com. “We looked for sponsors and collected money. Because if you want to launch a project to develop young talents, you need money.”

Veneman and his team have used this money to start a program for young local talent. The program provided the gradual support of talented drivers in various national and international racing classes. The foundation was laid in the Netherlands. “In the Netherlands we have the strong Honda NSF100 Cup. “In my opinion, that is still the best,” the 47-year-old is sure. “We have 25 bikes there. The boys are always given a different bike. Of course, the NSF100 is old, it has a little power and it’s a simple motorcycle. But in the beginning, in my opinion, it’s up to everyone to have the same situation.

The Honda NSF100 was built specifically for riders – with a displacement of 100 cc and an output of less than 9 hp. Veneman explains why having a powerful motorcycle is not a big deal at first: “Our goal was to have all the kids within 5 seconds per lap. Because if you have one or two fast drivers, they drive alone and have no competition. But if you make sure that the whole group is fast, then even the fastest climbers have more problems and have to fight. If you do this when you’re 12 or 13, you still have enough time to take the next steps.”

Motorcycle racing and racing are one thing. But there are many other things needed to develop into a top driver. “Physical training was also part of the program,” continues Veneman, who is also known as “Bazza” in the racing scene. “We went to the Olympic training center in Papendal with the boys once a week. Many other athletes also train there, such as swimmers, volleyball players, etc. We also had a coach from BMX sports. The training included units in the areas of strength, coordination and reflexes. The boys had to complete other training at home. Everything was written down – so you could see who was disciplined. We were also able to track physical development stages with standard performance tests.”

It was also important to Veneman that the professional performance of his talents did not suffer as a result of the program. “The thinking in the school should be the same as that of the motorcycle. The relationship should be the same. “We helped the boys and their parents balance things,” explains Veneman. “So we tried to get the boys in Holland – also because it’s cheaper than going to Spain. And then we decided which people we will continue with. Talent is the wrong word here, you must have the necessary emotions, discipline and character of this game. Of course, physical needs are also part of it. For example, if you weigh 62 kg and 175 cm, you are too heavy and tall for Moto3.”

The gifted youth program, which was often referred to as the “Veneman Program,” no longer exists in this form. “It has become more difficult in the last three years. It became very bureaucratic and the KNMV prevented many things. In addition, drivers are getting younger and parents have different expectations. This caused a lot of dissatisfaction.”