Jurgen Schrooten is one of the veterans of the Grand Prix scene. A long time friend of Stefan Everts, Joel Smets and many other members of the MXGP paddock and also one of the most respected media guys in the sport.

Jurgen sat down with the King of GP motocross, Stefan Everts for the Belgian media HBVL and asked about what his opinion is of the Coenen brothers racing in America this weekend.

Of course Stefan Everts rode AMA supercross and motocross events in his career, often finishing top five in both indoor and outdoor series. His battles with the likes of Jeff Emig, Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael make him probably the best person to talk about heading to USA to race during a GP season.

The original interview from Jurgen, you can find in Dutch at this website and thanks Jurgen for allowing us to run your interview. No doubt, like many of us, Everts and the whole country of Belgium will be sitting up tonight to watch the action and hoping both brothers come through their Saturday with some success and no injuries.

The Coenen’s jeopardize their World Championship by racing three times in America

Everts: “Actually, yes, because every race carries risks. Of course, things can go wrong during training too, but in races—and certainly in America—the intensity is a whole lot higher. In addition, you shouldn't underestimate the travel and the jet lag. Traveling back and forth to America three times takes its toll. Especially in combination with a busy World Championship, where there are already few free weekends. Fatigue will build up. But the twin brothers have one big advantage: they are still very young (19 years old, ed.). At that age, you can still handle this hellish pace. In five years, that won't be possible anymore. Just look at the Lawrence brothers (Hunter is 26, Jett 22, ed.). They have already announced that they are skipping the Nations this year. Simply because it is becoming too much for them.”

The Coenen brothers will be in the running for the win immediately in the US

Everts: “They have already delivered quite a few impressive performances, so why not again on Saturday? I do see them capable of competing at the front in Thunder Valley. Although they need to be well aware that it is a different kind of motocross over there. The Americans have just come from supercross and bring the intensity and aggressiveness of those races with them. The bike setup is also tailored to that. Those bikes are much more aggressive; I had a lot of trouble with that back in Unadilla. You know what else I wonder: whether they can rein themselves in? They claim that they are mainly going to America to explore everything, to have some fun. But believe me: they aren't going to close the throttle. Certainly not Sacha. He only knows one setting: full throttle. Lucas is wiser in that regard. It wouldn't be smart to ride themselves into the ground against Jett Lawrence.”

Sacha and Lucas are moving to America permanently next season

Everts: “It is difficult for me to assess that from a distance. I don't know what agreements they have with KTM. But since they are already participating in three races there, the chance seems realistic to me that they will be racing in America as early as 2027. If they both become world champions this year, they are definitely gone. Then they will leave through the big gate. But of course, we don't know that yet. Things can sometimes go strangely. The plan was for me to win the world title in 1992 and move to America in 1993. I missed out on the title, and that plan was never really put back on the table after that. One thing I do know: you have to take that step to the States early enough. The sooner, the better.”