Joel Doeksen signs with Corrado Maddii

Sunday 23 December: Joel rode for New Zealand in the 'development squad' at the 2011 Motocross of Nations after a season riding MX3. His lap times had him midfield and in his first Open Class race he was up near the front but got taken out big time in the second corner.

Joel training in Florida - Photo courtesy of Bill McClurg

2012 saw his family living in Florida but the nearest practice track was several hours away and he was not allowed to race as insurance for non residents is about US$2500 per event. They are currently in Holland awaiting a USA Residency Visa.

Older brother Jan is doing a Commerce Degree here at Auckland University and is currently holidaying in Holland.

Meantime Joel has been training and today confirms his signing:

"Plan is I'm riding for Maddii Racing next year on KTM and will be living in Italy, next to their work shop. Team-mates are Marco Maddii (Editor - son of Corrado) and Mattia Buso, both who I rode against in MX3. I will definitely do the National and International Italian Championship but undecided if I'm going to race MX3 World Championship. If we have a free weekend we will look for one off big international races somewhere in Europe. I have a couple new gear sponsors. I will be riding Acerbis gear and Gearne Boots. I leave for Italy early January and will get into my training.

I've been training in Holland in the sand for the last four months - lately in the snow covered sand. I can't wait for next year, bring on 2013!"

So who is Maddii Racing?

In 1982 the World 125cc Championship was won by Eric Geboers,

2nd was Corrado Maddii and 3rd was Michele Rinaldi. Maddii was 2nd in 1984 and 3rd in 1985.

Michael James - cybermotorcycle.com: "The mid-eighties in the 125 GP class bore the Renaissance of Italian motocross. Cottage factories like Beta, Gilera, and Ancilotti were regularly leading GP races with Italian and non-Italian riders aboard. When the Castiglione brothers entered the fray with their superbly engineered 125cc works racer history was in the making. They hired the super fast Italian Corrado Maddii to pilot the bike. In only their first season on the GP circuit, they found themselves leading the championship over another Italian, the much-favored Michele Rinaldi. Rinaldi was the smooth tactician with Maddii the wild man who gave it his all, all of the time.

Their intercontinental ballistic rivalry led them to the forefront of the Grand Prix circuit in 1984 and at the final round, Cagiva rider Maddii had a slim but safe points lead. Maddii also set fast time in practice, demolishing Rinaldi's initial practice time. When Rinaldi responded by going out and besting Maddii's time, the ever-proud Italian went back again and shattered not only Rinaldi's record but set a track record in the process. After his record-breaking laps he cruised towards the pits, satisfied that no one was going to top his time. On the sidelines and cruising toward his destiny of becoming Italy's first World Motocross Champion, he inexplicably veered back onto the track... directly into the path of oncoming GP newcomer Michele Fanton in the middle of his qualifying fast lap.

The resulting crash was heard 'round the world’ as both riders went flying to the dirt. Maddii's bike and lower leg were broken in the process thus ending any chance of him becoming Italy's first World Champion. All he had to do was basically finish the event and he would've been crowned champion. Instead, Rinaldi won the crown, Italy's undying love, and more fame and fortune than the man who in many people's eyes was the fastest 125 rider in the world that fateful day. There was a famous photograph that ran in Motocross Action magazine showing Maddii being carried away on a stretcher. The look on his face spoke volumes about what had been lost in that instant of a moment. Rinaldi's win also put him in the good graces of Sylvain Geboers. After retiring, Rinaldi himself went on to manage both the Suzuki team and now the Yamaha-Rinaldi team that bears his name. Maddii also manages GP motocross teams but no doubt wonders what might have been. Corrado Maddi, a hero in my mind but... almost famous.

Geoff Myer – mxlarge.com October 2010: "Alessi Chiodi is without a doubt one of the true legends of the sport of Motocross. His three FIM World 125cc Motocross Championship victories in 1997, '98 and '99 put him in a place not too many riders have ever been in. Meyer interviewed with him whilst he was helping Alessandro Lupino. Chiodi said, "I think like when Corrado Maddii and Claudio De Carli helped me, they told me their secrets and I become good, so I should give my experience to other younger riders.”