Quentin Carles de Caudemberg: A Corsican in the race

Le balanin d'adoption, Quentin Carles de Caudemberg, revient à la compétition pour cette 4ème manche du Championnat du Monde FIM de Trial du 30 mai au 1er juin 2025. Photo OLIVIER SANCHEZ / CRYSTAL PICTURES AGENCY

Winner of several competitions and French championship titles, the Beta Usine rider was crowned world champion in 125 youth in 2013, 3rd in the junior world championship in 2014, second in the World Nations Championship in 2014, today based in Algajola, as a mechanic at the Peugeot garage in the ZA de Corbara, Quentin de Caudemberg has decided to return to competition, just for the time of this French round of the world trial championship which will take place in Calvi from May 30 to June 1. He will be riding a Beta Bosi. On the eve of this return, he looks back on his career, his race at Ile-Rousse in 2014 when he was at the time reigning world champion, his new life and on this choice of his commitment only for this French round of the world championship - FIM Trial World Championships.

At what age did you start riding motorcycles?

From the age of 4 and a half I rode a motorbike, before taking part in my first competitions. It must be said that I went to the right school since my father and my older brother Nicolas were motorbike enthusiasts.

You have a nice track record under your belt.

At a very young age I won several competitions and national titles. Then, in 2013, I was crowned 125 youth world champion and 2015 world cup world champion.

Is it difficult to reconcile competition and studies at this time?

It's true that it wasn't easy, but I was lucky to have a school principal and teachers who were very understanding and who helped me. I passed my Baccalaureate in 2014. I also remember that when I came back from the competition in Japan, on Monday I called the high school to let them know I was absent and everything was done to make sure I could catch up on my classes.

In 2014 you took part in the French round of the trial world championship in Ile-Rousse

Indeed, and I have very good memories of it. There was an extraordinary atmosphere. I finished second in each of the rounds on the programme.

Did you celebrate that?

Yes, in the evening we went out and for the record, that's where I met Aurélie who became my partner.

Reconverti mécanicien, Quentin (à droite) compte bien décrocher la 1ère place de podium, chez lui, en Balagne. Photo OLIVIER SANCHEZ / CRYSTAL PICTURES AGENCY

Why did you stop competing so early?

Quite simply because staying at the top level for fifteen years is not an easy thing, and then it was becoming more and more difficult to find sponsors, but also for other reasons.

After your career, you chose to settle in Balagne

Yes, first of all for my darling Aurélie who is from here and Ceccé Acquaviva, operator of the Fogata cinema offered to hire me. Then I passed a professional baccalaureate in mechanics and I joined the Peugeot garage

from the Corbara ZA.

Today you decide to make a return to competition. Why?

First of all I would like to clarify that I will only participate in this round of the world championship, and there are several reasons for this. First of all it is out of friendship for the president of the Trial Moto Club Balagne, Antoine Allegrini and for my partner who is from here. It will also be my way of paying tribute to my former president of MC Grasse, Daniel Olivier, who did so much for me and who passed away recently. I will dedicate this race to him.

How do you plan to prepare?

I still ride a motorbike for fun. I train physically in the gym.

What will your ambitions be?

Of course I'll go for the win, but above all I plan to have fun.