I remember a long, long time ago when Stefan Everts started his race career. Having followed in his father footsteps, this second-generation Everts arrived at his first Grand Prix, with hundreds and hundreds of Belgian fans. Everts flags flying high in the air and more pressure than anyone could image. That was back on April 2,1989 and for Stefan was prouder than you could ever imagine.
“I was proud to be there,” Everts said at the time. “Papa wanted me to follow the fastest riders in practice, but that irritated me, I wanted to do my own thing. I wanted to choose my own lines.”
Stefan finished the GP with 24-21 and was lapped by leading American, Trampas Parker. “In the end, I was shattered, but Park tore past me like a rocket. I cannot do this, I thought back then. I just couldn’t believe that these riders raced at this speed for 40 minutes.”
Even for the greatest of all time, the beginning of a career in the toughest sport in the world isn’t an easy one. Now, Stefan is the father and as his son, and the grandson of Harry works his way through his own career, the pressure remains huge for the Everts family. Liam Everts, in his fifth full MX2 career has gone 10-4-4-6 in the championship points.
He has at times looked capable of fighting until the end of the season for a world title, but mistakes and injury slowed his progress. The fight for points isn’t as important to Stefan as it is seeing his son do what he knows he is capable of.
“I don’t look at my results and expect him to do the same,” Stefan told us. “I would just like to see him do his best, with the potential he has. I still see a lot more inside of Liam and he also knows that (he has more potential) and a lot of people know that, that he has more potential. Being the son of…. that just makes it so much more difficult. People can never realize how difficult that is.”
Knowing the pressure himself, from following his four-time world motocross champion father, Harry into the sport, Stefan Everts knows the hardships of many waiting for him to do the same as his famous dad. He also knows that for Liam, that pressure is doubled, as his father is the greatest of all time.
“I think he has big balls to do that. He is a different rider with different potential. I am so happy he made this great performance at des Nations and showed what he can do on the 450. I am so happy for him and its good for his confidence. This year was very difficult for him. The start of the season was maybe too good for him. He won the second GP and then after Arco he started putting a lot of pressure on himself after the DNF with the throttle cable that broke. He came good again, made the podium in England and was looking really good in Finland, but then he made that massive crash and that set him back a lot. I think also, going through another big crash like that, was difficult for him. He is a fighter, and he isn’t giving up and keeps going and that is very good and positive to see that.”
Now, as Liam Everts starts his preparation for the 2026 season, maybe his final season in the MX2 class, everyone wishes him success. A world title isn’t impossible by any means, the talent is there, and the DNA has always been there. Sport is a mental game, and if the third generation Everts can maintain consistent results, he is very much capable of being the 2026 MX2 world champion. At the end of the day though, the goal will always be to be the best he can be.
Photo Credit: Fullspectrum
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