FUNCHAL, 5 June 2007 - On the morning of Monday 4th of June, Team Manager of Kawasaki Racing Europe Jan de Groot passed away because of a serious illness which had hospitalized him for more than a week.
The likeable Dutchmen was one of Team Green’s bastions, as he worked with Kawasaki since 1994. Jan was born in 1945, and devoted most of his life to Motocross, working with dedication, humility and enthusiasm.
Once former Motocross rider De Groot entered the business of racing, he gained soon a well-respected and well-deserved status because of his technical skills, and his ability to obtain the most from his riders, by building exceptional human relationships within the team.
Jan’s career as Team Manager was one of the most successful ever seen in the history of Motocross. He won World Titles with Greg Albertyn, Stefan Everts, Sebastien Tortelli and Mickael Maschio; De Groot also worked with some of the most important riders in this era of Motocross, such as Pit Beirer, Marnicq Bervoets, Talon Vohland, Frederic Bolley, Steve Ramon and Chad Reed.
His current team was made by Tanel Leok and Billy Mackenzie, the latter being the fresh winner of the Japanese Grand Prix, which the Scott dedicated to his team manager Jan de Groot.
Youthstream will sorely miss Jan de Groot’s presence in the paddock, and offers their sincere condolences to his family and friends.
There will be a one minute of silence in Jan’s memory before the first heat of the French Grand Prix this weekend, to remember one of the men who gave a great contribution to the sport.
