Touquet: Potisek joins Yamaha as Demeester bows out

Timotei Potisek will replace the legendary Arnaud Demeester at Yamaha next season following the Frenchman’s retirement from the sport.

Potisek, the reigning Le Touquet Enduropale champion, has been Demeester’s main challenge for the past few seasons. His competitiveness against one of the all-time greats of the off-road sand racing discipline left bosses in no doubt as to whom they wanted on their team in 2010.

“When Arnaud announced his decision to retire at the end of last year’s Enduropale, Timotei was always in our minds as a replacement,” explained Yamaha’s Jean-Claude Olivier. “He has now signed a contract to join us for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. We hope he can continue the successfully legacy of Arnaud Demeester for many years to come.”

Demeester meanwhile will bring a glorious career to an end this weekend at the Beach Cross de Berck in France.

The seven-time Le Touquet winner will hang up his helmet at the age of 36, a decision he announced after missing out on an eighth win at the motocross beach race in February due to mechanical problems.

The race in Berck will pay homage to Demeester by organising a ‘friendly’ race which will reunite many of his closest rivals from his 20-year career.

Sadly, the Frenchman, nicknamed ‘the Sandman’ due to his huge success in the discipline, is unlikely to take part in either race due to an injury he suffered recently to a tendon in his finger.

“I’ve cut my finger quite badly and am 90% sure I won’t take part,” said Demeester. “The race will include the likes Béthys, Hauquier, Belval, Frétigné. Pichon and Tim'(Potisek) will also compete.

“I’m looking forward to it because all my friends from Dunkirk and all the old mechanics I’ve worked with, in fact everyone who has been important in my career will be there.”

Demeester will not cut his ties from the sport completely after this weekend and already looks after two youngsters who are hoping to emulate their mentor’s stunning career.

“I look after a couple of young riders,” confirmed Demeester. “Gauthier Leclabar is a 23-year-old from Amiens and Sebastien Ducrocq trains with me one every two weeks. I give them advice and also organiser a special training programme for them.”

Watch the Le Touquet Enduropale on Motors TV.


Andy Wilkinson