The SB KTM outfit are a relatively new team in the Motocross world as they burst onto the scene in 2022 focusing on the EMX250 series. The team have worked with the likes of Christopher Mills, Yago Martinez, Miguel de Waal to name a few. For 2024, Jens Walvoort is the only rider under the awning as the team have decided to step up and contest the MX2 World Championship.
We caught up with team owner, Sofian Benallouch to discuss the team, moving up to the MX2 World Championship and more…
GateDrop: Sofian, you created the SB KTM team and burst onto the MX scene in 2022. What made you decide that you wanted to start your own race team?
Benallouch: Yeah, that’s a really good question (laughs). Since I was young, I am riding dirt bikes and I was always dreaming about motocross bikes. I think I was a 13 year old when I first went to a GP race. From that moment I started to like it more and more! In 2019 I started to help some riders in the past during their career and quickly I got a feeling that I can do something in the motocross. That’s why I created my team to assist the riders in their career.
GateDrop: Initially, you ran an EMX250 team for the past two years, how was it running an EMX250 race team?
Benallouch: Yeah, to be honest… to start a new team, it’s never easy. It’s really hard with everything! But it was okay because we did it step be step and week be week we got more experience. Of course there are some up and downs but I believe that is part of this sport.
GateDrop: What sort of things have you learnt from the past two years running the team?
Benallouch: I believe when you work hard and never give up, you can create something nice in your career as a team but also as rider!
GateDrop: For 2024, you decided to make the decision to step up and race the MX2 World Championship. What was the decision behind this?
Benallouch: The reason why we decided to do MX2 is because of the rider. Jens is a rider who showed me in the last year a lot of potential. He is a hard worker, he is professional and he has the discipline. These things makes me believe in him.
GateDrop: Budget wise, was it hard to come up with the extra money to contest the MX2 World Championship as oppose just EMX250?
Benallouch: Budget wise it’s always hard for all the teams, I think. But we have got some sponsors and nice people who make it possible for us to do the season with Jens.
GateDrop: Jens Walvoort is the only rider under the awning this year, what is he like to work with?
Benallouch: He is awesome. I like his character and mentality. What I can say ….. he is listening with the advice we give him and he does what we ask of him. It’s not only to me but also to his trainer, Marc De Reuver and his physical trainer, Glen D’Huyvetter. He is always listening really good. That’s what you need if you want to step forward in this sport.
GateDrop: You have quite a nice awning and setup, was it a tough decision to only have one rider for 2024?
Benallouch: Yes, of course. To move up to MX2, sometimes a lot of people, they don’t think what comes after. To do MX2 races on GP level is not that easy and it’s so much work and stuff that follows you. You can’t imagine how many things there are to take care off. That’s why we decided to do it with just one rider.
GateDrop: What are your goals/expectations from Jens this year in what is his rookie season in MX2?
Benallouch: I expect from Jens a good season and also a strong season! He is good and a talented rider. We are going step be step to have a solid ride. He needs to focus on his season and the results will follow.
GateDrop: For the future, would you like to run more than just one GP rider?
Benallouch: It’s difficult to give you a answer about that because to run a team is already hard and not easy. With two GP riders for example not only do you require more stuff and material but also more people to get it all organized well.
GateDrop: In terms of your team, have you set yourself a long term target of what you would like to achieve?
Benallouch: At the moment I am fully focused on Jens as I want to help take the best out of him. We hope we can build from here and we will see what the future brings for Jens and our team.
Interview and image: Andy McKinstry
