Belgian trainer aims for English winner in Greyhound Derby
Mr Janssens said he wanted to be involved in the sport from an early age, despite Belgium not being known for greyhound racing.The 54-year-old said: "When I was kid, I lived between Antwerp and the border with Holland. I used to walk two Afghans and a greyhound, and I loved that greyhound."Racing is only a hobby in Belgium, but on a Sunday I went to a dog track, loved it and wanted a dog myself."My dad started to take me to the tracks at the weekends, and when I was 14 I finished second in the Belgian championships."
His love for the sport eventually brought him to England."In 1996 I went to my first Derby at Wimbledon and loved it, and I went to every Derby there until it closed. I also went to the Irish Derby," he said."By 2000, I'd decided I wanted to work with these greyhounds and do it as a profession."After a stint away from the sport, he found a property just north of the Norfolk-Suffolk border and began running his dogs at Mildenhall before moving them to Towcester.The trainer has had success in the Derby with first and second spots in 2021, and he had another runner-up in 2023.He says of Droopys Plunge: "He's done very well to qualify through every round. He's qualified despite having some terrible draws so far."
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Brighton bring in new set-piece coach
Brighton have appointed Yannick Euvrard as set-piece coach in Fabian Hurzeler's backroom 39-year-old has spent the past two years at Anderlecht, working on set-plays as part of the Belgian side's data analysis and performance has said he is "delighted" with the addition, with technical director David Weir adding: "Hurzeler said "We are delighted to welcome Yannick as part of the coaching team, and he will work with the team on defensive and offensive set-pieces."Technical director David Weir added, "Yannick has built up an excellent reputation in Belgium and we are pleased to bring in his expertise in an area that continues to be game-changing at our level."Euvrard, a right-back in hisplaying days, started his coaching career with the Belgium national team and was part of their staff at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Reuters
Olympic champion Evenepoel to join Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe team
Aug 5 (Reuters) - Belgian Olympic gold medallist Remco Evenepoel will leave Soudal Quick-Step and join Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe at the end of the 2025 season, his current team said on Tuesday. The 25-year-old former Vuelta a Espana winner, who won gold in the road race and time trial at last year's Paris Games, joined Soudal Quick-Step in 2019, and was contracted to the team until the end of 2026. "Representatives of Remco informed the team's management that he did not wish to discuss an extension of his current agreement," Soudal Quick-Step said in a statement. "The team's ownership and management have decided that it is in best interest of everyone to agree that Remco can move at the end of the current 2025 season." In December, Evenepoel collided with the open door of a vehicle while training in Belgium, suffering multiple fractures, a dislocated collarbone and contusions to both lungs. He underwent surgery and worried he might have to retire, but returned to competition in April. Evenepoel was third overall when he abandoned the Tour de France during the 14th stage last month.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel to ride for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe from 2026
Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel has sealed a blockbuster transfer from Soudal Quick-Step to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, effective from 2026. His contract, which had been due to run until the end of 2026, has been terminated by mutual agreement to facilitate a move to the German team. Evenepoel's future has been one of the biggest topics of debate and gossip over the last couple of transfer windows. Ineos Grenadiers were reportedly interested in the Belgian in 2023 and speculation was rife that he would join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe last summer, both rumours he denied at the time. However, the likelihood of an imminent transfer escalated after the Tour de France this summer as several members of the Red Bull hierarchy, including sports director Rolf Adag, departed the team, potentially paving the way for members of Evenepoel's entourage to take up new roles. Soudal Quick-Step released a statement on Tuesday saying: 'Representatives of Remco informed the team's management that he did not wish to discuss an extension of his current agreement, which expires at the end of 2026. After taking some time to consult with our sponsors and partners, the team's ownership and management have decided that it is in best interest of everyone to agree that Remco can move at the end of the current 2025 season. 'While we regret Remco's decision to leave, we will foster the memories that we have made and will continue to strive together to achieve some significant results for the rest of the season.' His new team shared the news in quite a different manner, saying: 'A new chapter begins for one of the most defining riders of his generation. Remco Evenepoel's arrival marks more than just a milestone for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe – it is a clear signal. With renewed confidence and bold ambition, the team is setting its course to become one of the most attractive forces on the international cycling stage in the years to come.' Evenepoel claimed a historic double Olympic gold in Paris last year, winning both the time trial and road race, as well as the Vuelta a Espana title in 2022. He is arguably the best time-triallist in the world, with two world titles to his name, as well as victories in two Tour de France TTs, and is also an accomplished Classics rider with two Monument wins, both at Liege-Bastogne-Liege. He finished on the podium of the Tour de France last year but, having suffered a serious crash in training last December, was on the back foot preparing for this year's race. The Belgian abandoned after losing chunks of time in the Pyrenees, later revealing that he had raced with a broken rib. The 25-year-old turned professional with Soudal Quick-Step in 2019. The team had previously been more of a Classics-focused squad, and the news of this transfer suggests that Evenepoel believes he needs support for a Grand Tour bid from more of a heavyweight outfit. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have built up more of a Grand Tour-focused team in recent years, particularly since the energy giant came on board in 2024. However, Evenepoel's move means the Red Bull bus is increasingly crowded with Grand Tour contenders. Four-time Vuelta champion Primoz Roglic, who has also won the Giro d'Italia, has been the outfit's primary hope in the last two seasons. But the recent success of youngsters Giulio Pellizzarri and Florian Lipowitz, alongside the presence of former Giro champion Jai Hindley and podium finisher Dani Martinez, means there could be something of a battle for supremacy in 2026.
