Tanel Leok

Tanel Leok

Nationality Estonia Estonian
Born June 1, 1985 (age 29)
Võru, Estonia
Motocross career
Years active 2000 – present
Teams KTM, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, TM
Wins 3
GP debut 2001 GP da Holanda, 125cc
First GP win 2008 Irish GP, MX1

Tanel Leok (born June 1, 1985 in Võru)[1] is an Estonian motocross racer competing in the FIM Motocross World Championships in MX1 class.

Early life

Tanel was born in Võru, Estonia and currently resides in Balen, Belgium. His father, Arvo Leok, was a motocross rider and introduced his son to the sport at a young age. He lived in Estonia and attended Sõmerpalu Primary school until he was 16 years old when he decided to pursue his racing career full-time.

Career

Early career

He became the first rider with two junior world titles to his credit, winning the 85 cc FIM world cup in 2000 and the 125cc FIM Junior World Cup in 2001. He turned semi-professional midway through the 2001 season, and qualified for a number of GP races at 15 years of age. He claimed his first senior title in 2001 as well, being crowned German 125cc champion. His hard-charging and unmistakable racing style earned him the moniker "The Estonian Express."

2002–2003: KTM

In 2002 his first professional team was Vangani Racing KTM His teammates in this team were Tyla Rattray and Ben Townley. In 2003, the Vangani Racing team metamorphosed into Bruforce Racing, still on KTM motorcycles. Tanel had by now definitely broken through in the top level of motocross world.

2004: Suzuki

After a few successful races in the 125cc class in 2003, he successfully shifted to 250 cc class for the Motovision Racing Suzuki team in 2004. He made a huge impact during this season, being the only remaining top level rider on a two-stroke machine in the class. His reputation was solidified with a number of furious on-track battles with the hotshots of the class, such as multiple world champion Stefan Everts.

2005–2008: Kawasaki

Tanel Leok in June 2008

At the end of the 2004 season he signed a two year contract with the Kawasaki factory team of legendary champion maker Jan De Groot. Leok claimed his first podium in FIM Motocross World Championships MX1 class in 2 April 2006 at Zolder, Belgium. This contract was renewed for another two-year term at the end of the 2006 racing season.[2] After having claimed numerous GP podiums in the preceding year, Tanel Leok won his first MX1 Grand Prix in Ireland in 31, August 2008.[3] He claimed 9 podiums and 1449 points with kawasaki team.

2009: Yamaha

Tanel Leok in June 2009

At the end of the 2008 Season, Red Bull Yamaha De Carli announced that they will move on to MX1-GP in the 2009 season and the riders will be Antonio Cairoli and Tanel Leok.[4] The 2009 season started off well for the Estonian, winning the Italian MX1 motocross championships by a margin of 5 points over Cairoli (158–153).[5] He won the first GP of the season in Faenza, Italy, and was the first holder of the red plate marking him as world championship leader.[6] 2009 year was steady season for Leok, only 2 retirements: 1st race in Latvia and 2nd race in Brazil.

2010: Honda

Tanel signed with Honda on September 27, 2009 and in 2010 season he is in LS Motors Honda team, his teammate is Davide Guarneri.[7] In his first season with LS Motors Honda team Tanel chose his "legendary" riding number 40, he started riding in MX1 class with this number in 2004. In addition he got his first personal driving trainer – Marnicq Bervoets, this is very important renewal for Leok. His first competition with Honda was on February 7, 2010 in Mantova Starcross. He had good starts, placed 3rd in second race and 1st in third race, overall place was 6th, because he retired first race.[8] Tanel Leok finished 2nd to Guarneri in Italian MX1 motocross championships. Leok lost the championship by 17 points (152–135). On May 16, 2010 Leok won the second race and was the overall winner in the Grand Prix of Catalunya.[9]

2011: TM

In September 2010 Tanel signed with TM Racing Factory Team.[10] His first competition with TM was on February 19–20, 2011 in Mantova Starcross. Leok finished second in all three races and were also second overally behind David Philippaerts.[11] The 2011 season was poor season for Tanel, he had several crashes and technical problems with bike. The best moment of this season was holeshot win in the Grand Prix of Czech Republic and the worst moment was the crash in the Grand Prix of Great Britain.[12]

2012: Suzuki

In October 2011 Tanel signed with Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 team, this is Suzuki factory team. His teammate in 2012 season will be Clement Desalle.[13] On February 5, 2012 Tanel Leok battled snow and icy conditions to race to second place overall against 1080 riders at Enduropale Du Touquet Beach Race in northern France, less than two minutes behind overall winner Jean-Claude Mousse.[14] Leok best race in 2012 season was in Benelux GP where he got his only podium in this season.

2013: Honda and TM

In September 2012 Tanel signed for British motocross team Route77energy MVR-D Honda. His teammate in 2013 season was Jason Dougan.[15] On 2 June, Tanel crashed heavily and broke his collarbone, causing him two miss two races. At the end of the month, Route77 Honda withdrew from the World Motocross Championship due to financial problems.[16] Prior to the Swedish Grand Prix, Leok rejoined the TM Racing Factory Team.[17]

2014: TM

In November 2013 Tanel re-signed for Italian motocross team TM Ricci Racing. His teammate in 2014 season was Davide Guarneri.[18]

2015: Kawasaki

The Estonian Express, Tanel Leok, has signed an agreement with the British based LPE Kawasaki Team for next year. After a long time in the Grand Prix's, Leok will focus himself on the British MX1 Championship and the MX Nationals in Great Britain.

Career summary

Tanel Leok celebrating win in 2010
Season Series Team Name Final Placing
2000 World Junior Motocross Championship 85cc Privateer Honda 1st
2001 World Junior Motocross Championship 125cc Bodo Schmidt Racing KTM 1st
German Championship 125cc Bodo Schmidt Racing KTM 1st
2002 World Championship 125cc Vangani Racing KTM 10th
2003 World Championship 125cc Vangani Racing/Bruforce KTM 15th
2004 World Championship MX1 Motovision Suzuki 6th
British MX1 Championship MX1 Motivision Suzuki 3rd
KWS British Champion MX1 Motivision Suzuki 1st
2005 World Championship MX1 Kawasaki 11th
Dutch Championship MX1 Kawasaki 3rd
2006 World Championship MX1 Kawasaki 5th
2007 World Championship MX1 Kawasaki 8th
Dutch Championship MX1 Kawasaki 1st
2008 World Championship MX1 Kawasaki 8th
2009 Italian Championship MX1 Yamaha 1st
World Championship MX1 Yamaha 7th
2010 Italian Championship MX1 Honda 2nd
Belgian Championship MX1 Honda 2nd
World Championship MX1 Honda 6th
2011 Italian Championship MX1 TM 9th
World Championship MX1 TM 12th
2012 Enduropale Du Touquet Beach Race Suzuki 2nd
Belgian Championship MX1 Suzuki 2nd
World Championship MX1 Suzuki 8th
2013 World Championship MX1 Honda, TM 14th
Maxxis British Championship MX1 Honda, TM 6th
2014 World Championship MX1 TM 18th
2015 MAXXIS ACU British Motocross Championship Kawasaki 2nd*

* Season in progress.

Complete 125cc/MX2 World Championship Results

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Pos. Points
2001 KTM ESP
 NED
21		 AUS
 BEL
29		 GER
21		 BEL
 SWE
 FRA
 BEL
 SUI
 GER
17		 NED
26		 ITA
 AUT
17		 0
2002 KTM NED
 ESP
15		 GER
6		 FRA
28		 ITA
28		 AUT
 BUL
 SWE
 BEL
 GER
12		 CZE
15		 RUS
6		 20th 51
2003 KTM ESP
14		 NED
14		 EUR
22		 ITA
26		 BUL
14		 AUT
17 		SWE
12		 BEL
13		 NED
6		 GER
15		 CZE
11		 FRA
21		 15th 73

Complete MX1 World Championship Results

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pos. Points
2004 Suzuki FLA
8		 ESP
9		 POR
16		 NED
11		 GER
9		 BEN
7 		GBR
4		 FRA
5		 ITA
10		 BEL
8		 SWE
12		 CZE
6		 WAL
5		 EUR
9		 IRL
11		 RSA
12		 6th 356
2005 Kawasaki FLA
11		 ESP
25		 POR
 BEL
9		 EUR
5		 JAP
6 		GBR
13		 ITA
12		 FRA
18		 SWE
10		 RSA
11		 WAL
12		 CZE
7		 GER
5		 ENG
16		 NED
29		 IRL
5		 11th 299
2006 Kawasaki FLA
3		 ESP
2		 POR
5		 GER
3		 JAP
5		 BUL
5 		ITA
4		 GBR
5		 SWE
12		 RSA
4		 CZE
7		 BEL
14		 IRL
9		 NED
12		 FRA
2		 5th 443
2007 Kawasaki BEN
11		 ESP
7		 POR
12		 ITA
2		 GER
12		 JAP
14		 FRA
5		 BUL
11 		SWE
3		 ITA
9		 CZE
4		 BEL
3		 IRL
29		 GBR
6		 NED
12		 8th 355
2008 Kawasaki NED
16		 ESP
5		 POR
9		 BUL
11 		ITA
8		 GBR
5		 FRA
9		 GER
3		 SWE
11		 RSA
9		 BEL
15		 CZE
7		 IRL
1		 BEN
14		 ITA
13		 8th 352
2009 Yamaha ITA
1		 BUL
7		 TUR
10		 BEN
3 		POR
6		 CAT
10		 GBR
5		 FRA
4		 GER
7		 LAT
11		 SWE
6		 BEL
7		 CZE
9		 NED
4		 BRA
14		 7th 395
2010 Honda BUL
14		 LOM
12		 NED
4		 POR
6 		CAT
1		 USA
31		 FRA
8		 GER
10		 LAT
8		 SWE
12		 LIM
5		 CZE
3		 BRA
8		 BEN
6		 ITA
15		 6th 356
2011 TM BUL
15		 NED
9		 USA
16		 BRA
14 		FRA
10		 POR
9		 ESP
6		 SWE
18		 GER
19		 LAT
10		 LIM
6		 CZE
4		 GBR
13		 EUR
16		 ITA
17		 12th 267
2012 Suzuki NED
9		 BUL
11		 ITA
10		 MEX
5 		BRA
14		 FRA
15		 POR
9		 BEL
7		 SWE
6		 LAT
7		 RUS
10		 CZE
9		 GBR
7		 BEN
3		 EUR
8		 GER
13		 8th 381
2013 Honda QAT
14		 THA
12		 NED
8		 ITA
16 		BUL
15		 POR
12		 BRA
16		 style="background:;""#FFFFFF| FRA
 style="background:;""#FFFFFF| ITA
 14th 232
TM SWE
13		 LAT
18		 FIN
19		 GER
15		 CZE
10		 BEL
11		 GBR
9		 EUR
14
2014 TM QAT
13		 THA
14		 BRA
18		 ITA
19 		BUL
15		 NED
9		 ESP
18		 GBR
16		 FRA
15		 ITA
13		 style="background:;""#FFFFFF| GER
 SWE
22		 FIN
16		 CZE
9		 BEL
22		 style="background:;""#FFFFFF| BRA
 style="background:;""#FFFFFF| MEX
 18th 146

* Season in progress

Personal life

Leok married Karoliina Karu on 11 October 2008.[19] They have two sons, Sebastian (born 3 December 2007)[20] and Travis Leok (born 14 April 2010).[21] His cousin Aigar Leok is also a motocross racer.

References

  1. ↑ "Tanel Leok" From www.yamaha-racing.com, Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Leok inks two year deal with kawasaki" From londonbikers.com, July 5, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  3. ↑ Tanel Leok won in Ireland From www.mxlarge.com, August 31, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Tanel Leok Joins Yamaha Red Bull De Carli" From www.vitalmx.com, November 5, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  5. ↑ 2009 Italian MX1 motocross championships Results From mxrealtime.com, March 15, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Tanel Leok wins at rain plagued faenza" From www.hyundai.eu, March 29, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Tanel Leok And His Move To LS Motors Honda" From mxlarge.com, September 29, 2009. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  8. ↑ Mantova 2010 Results From mxlarge.com, February 8, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Grand Prix of Catalunya – Musquin and Leok win in Spain" From mxlarge.com, May 16, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Tanel Leok joins TM Racing Factory with high ambitions" From motocrossmx1.com, September 18, 2010. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  11. ↑ "LEOK GUIDES TM TO SECOND ON FIRST OUTING" From moto.mpora.com, February 23, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
  12. ↑ "Billy MacKenzie Tanel Leok Hard Crash - GP Of Great Britain - 21.08.2011 " From youtube.com, August 22, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Factory Suzuki for Tanel Leok in 2012" From moto.mpora.com, October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Leok second in Le Touquet 2012" From mxlarge.com, February 5, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Tanel Leok back in the UK with Route77energy MVR-D Honda" From moto.mpora.com, 13 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  16. ↑ "Tanel Leok murdis Briti motokrossi etapil rangluu" From postimees.ee, 4 June 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  17. ↑ "Tanel Leok oli sunnitud hooaja keskel tiimi vahetama" From sport.err.ee, 29 June 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  18. ↑ "Leok stays and Guarneri joins him at TM Ricci Racing" From moto.mpora.com, 11 November 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  19. ↑ "Motokrossisõitja Tanel Leok abiellus" From www.elu24.ee, October 15, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Tanel Leok sai isaks" From www.tanelleok.com, Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  21. ↑ "New baby boy for Tanel Leok" From moto.mpora.com, Retrieved April 17, 2010.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tanel Leok.