A great year for Belgian Motorcycle Academy trainees!
The students of the Belgian Motorcycle Academy (BMA) have shone in numerous speed and supermoto competitions this season. The national and continental victories achieved reinforce the BMA’s status as the benchmark for rider training in Belgium.
Speed: on the road to the Grand Prix
Created in 2020, the Northern Talent Cup (NTC) is the annual meeting place for the best young talent in Central and Northern Europe. The BMA has always taken part, and has often played a leading role. In 2024, it fielded no fewer than three riders in the colours of the Junior Black Knights Team. And once again they were successful!
A rookie in the competition, Ferre Fleerackers took no fewer than six podiums to finish 4th overall. His performance earned him an invitation to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup selections, as did his team-mate from Hastière, Tom Rolin. In 8th place, the young Belgian made the Belgian National Anthem sounds at the Sachsenring! A great performance for the young rider, who was only competing in his second season of speed racing. Lorenzo Pontillo, form Charleroi, finished 17th, improving his position with 31 more points than in 2023.
Ferre Fleerackers battles for the Northern Talent Cup title! © Dorna Sports
Former NTC rider Loris Dekkers, from Rijkevorsel, made a successful transition to the Yamaha bLU cRU Benelux R7 Cup. Always at the front, the Belgian won the title in the final round! Young Zenno Bulté living in Denderhautem shone in the R3 Cup, continuing his ascent after excellent results in the Ohvale championships in previous years.
Other academicians are already following in their footsteps to take upon them. Two of them competed in the French Mini OGP 160 championship, on the small bikes that have become a benchmark in competitions reserved for younger riders. Romain Even finished a fine 5th, and Even claimed a podium during the season. Luigi Orsolini from Chapelle-lez-Herlaimont finished 17th.
Evan Gourmet contributed to the Belgian podium in the Supermoto des Nations Juniors. © XIEM
Supermoto: still ahead!
Used to be on podiums in Supermoto, a discipline important for the BMA, the academicians did not fail to honour this tradition in 2024. They livened up the proceedings at various levels of the Belgian championship, one of the most competitive in Europe.
Lucas Stranard from Namur shone in the colours of the Academy by becoming runner-up in the S3 250cc class. He finished two places ahead of Evan Gourmet from Brain, who had a stunning end to the season with his first appearance in the S1 class at Chimay, and a podium finish to boot. He also finished 20th in the Superbiker grand final at Mettet! Evan also shone in the French S2 championship (6th), as well as in the Supermoto of Nations. Elected to represent the Belgian junior team, he went on to win a historic bronze medal in the junior category.
The BMA’s youngsters are following in the footsteps of the greats in Supermoto.
Also competing in S3, but in the 125cc class, Namur’s Justin Wathlet followed in the footsteps of his team-mate Lucas Stranard by finishing runner-up. He was also in the paddock for the French championship, and took an interesting 4th place in the S3 class.
The Supermoto programme went all the way up to the S4 85cc class with its youngest academy students. Lucas Fisette made great strides during the year, finishing 5th in the Belgian championship. His victory in the final round of the season is a proof of his rise and a sign of things to come. Luigi Orsolini finished 9th.