Rene Baeten’s 1958 FN 500
when the European 500cc Cham- first true professional motocross RenÈ Baeten was born in Herenpionship was upgraded to world tals in northern Belgium on June rider that took his racing seriously championship status in 1957, 10th 1927 and was one of the and he was good friends with the Baeten was back in business, best motocross riders of his era. cycling world champion at that time showing everybody his obvious Despite not starting his racing Rik van Looy, who also hailed from talents. Despite his efforts and career until he was 20 years-old Herentals. Both riders had acafter a close run world champion- cess to their own sports doctor, a it wasn’t long before he found ship campaign, Baeten fell short himself on everybody’s radar and man by the name of Dr. Claes, the of becoming the first everputs moto-a spotlight within 6 years he was among the The 125cc class in the European Championship usually nextof the same father ofon thethe doctor cross world champion by a single name that fixes up a lot of today’s elite of Europe’s finest motocross big name in motocross. In fact both of the 2015 FIM Motocross World Champions and point, finishing 2nd to Sweden’s riders, placing 2nd overall in the current professional racers and vice-world champions Romain Febvre, Gautier Paulin, Timwas Gajserasand Pauls Bill Nilsson. However, 1957 European 500cc Championship a racer he Jonass was inspirational to to be the year of his life. two years running in 1953 and watch as Sylvain have all won the EMX125 championship on their paths to motocross supremacy.recalls: 1954. Even though he didn’t know him ‘He was fantastically fast through personally, according to Sylvain The following two seasons left the corners at that time; it was Geboers, RenÈ Baeten was the beaten off the podium, bareunbelievable and watching him inly placing inside the top ten but
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