Farewell to the Doeksens.

Left to Right: Joel, Jolanda, Jan Jnr and Jan Snr.

They have flown straight to England where they will pickup their purpose built KRM Transporter.  The ‘maiden voyage' is to drive to Austria for Christmas with family followed by a short stay in Switzerland with friends. They will then head south to the warmer climes of Spain.

Joel will attend an eight week motocross training camp of former World Champ John van den Berk. Better known riders that have been through the school are; Josh Coppins, Marc de Reuver, Kevin Strijbos, Ken de Dijcker, Max Nagl, Jimmy Albertson, Jeffrey Herlings etc etc.

Many other GP riders will join the same training camp and will compete against each other in the weekends on local Spanish tracks. This is all in preparation for Joel to compete in the MX3 Championship which starts in Greece on 17 April.

Then, Jan Jnr, will return to Auckland to study a Batchelor of Commerce Degree (BCom) at Auckland University.

They have have no illusions as to how tough it will be but are going for the experience.Joel has certainly proven his pace here recently, amongst the Senior ranks.

Jan Doeksen Snr takes up the story: "One of the main reason to go overseas with Joel is that I made a promise many years ago that if the boys finish High School to Cambridge Exams level, I would show them every motocross track in the world. They have finished school, so I have to keep my promise. Jan Jnr has no real interest right now as he wants to go to University but Joel can't wait."

"Joel is around 83 kgs and will always be a MX1 rider. The MX3 Class is becoming the step-up class for the MX1 Class in Europe. We also think it will make the whole exercise less expensive because you have to do less development on the MX3 motorbike than in the MX2 Class."

"Some people have asked us which country Joel was going to ride. This always surprised us a little bit of course Joel will ride under the New Zealand flag ! He is very proud to be a Kiwi and remembers only New Zealand as his home. Joel was 6 years old when we arrived in New Zealand."

Both boys were born on the Caribbean Island of St Maarten. It's a French/Dutch Island and the Dutch area is only 16 square miles. In English/French it's spelt St Martin. It is 150 miles east of Puerto Rico – Alan H.

Jan continues; "I would be lying if I said that we do the trip only for Joel because to travel the world in a nice truck does excite me. What doesn't excite me is Joel racing. I love all the aspects of motocross but I'm totally over seeing my own sons riding. I guess that this is the price I have to pay for having my sons around me all the time and being so close to them. Motocross makes you very close."

"Finally, I would like to thank all the people we know from motocross in New Zealand.”

The purpose built Mercedes Benz, KRM Motorhome, has a full workshop in the back and room to stow up to three bikes. As a home until mid September 2011 it is beautifully appointed. Their colourings will differ from these pics. Josh Coppins was sponsored by KRM.

Their itinerary is massive from the outset; England to Austria / Switzerland, to Spain, to Greece then to the Czech Republic.