Jaak Van Velthoven
NationalityBelgian
Born24 January 1951
Motocross career
Years active1970–1983
TeamsHusqvarna, Yamaha, KTM
Wins5

Jaak Van Velthoven (24 January 1951[1]) is a Belgian former professional motocross racer.[2] He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1970 to 1983.

Van Velthoven was born in Lommel, Belgium. His best individual performance was a third place in the 500cc World Championship in 1973 with the Yamaha factory racing team.[3][4] He helped Yamaha develop a revolutionary motorcycle rear suspension that used a single shock absorber (invented by the Belgian engineer Lucien Tilkens)[5] instead of the traditional dual shock absorbers.

Van Velthoven also rode for the Husqvarna and KTM factory racing teams. He was a member of four winning Belgian teams at the Motocross des Nations in 1972, 1973, 1976 and 1977. Standing well over 6 feet tall, it was not difficult to distinguish him in the pack and he was often referred to as 'Long tall Jaak'.

References

  1. ↑ "Jaak Van Velthoven" (PDF). memotocross.fr. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  2. ↑ "Jaak Van Velthoven career profile". bestsports.com. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
  3. ↑ "1973 500cc motocross world championship final standings". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  4. ↑ "1973 500cc motocross world championship". akejonsson.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  5. ↑ Magazine Moto73


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