Tanel Leok

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Tanel Leok
Tanel Leok2010.JPG
Leok at Glen Helen 2010.
NationalityEstonian
BornJune 1, 1985 (1985-06) (age 36)
Võru, Estonia
Motocross career
Years active2001 – present
TeamsKTM, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, , Husqvarna
Grands Prix227 (13 125cc, 12 MX2, 153 MX1 and 49 MXGP)
Wins3 (3 MX1)
GP debut2001 GP da Holanda, 125cc
First GP win2008 Irish GP, MX1

Tanel Leok (born June 1, 1985)[1] is an Estonian professional motocross racer.[2] He has competed in the Motocross World Championships since 2001.

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 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 on 2 April 2006 at Zolder, Belgium. This contract was renewed for another two-year term at the end of the 2006 racing season.[3] After having claimed numerous GP podiums in the preceding year, Tanel Leok won his first MX1 Grand Prix in Ireland in 31, August 2008.[4] 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.[5] 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).[6] 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.[7] 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 .[8] 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 the Mantua Starcross. He had good starts, placed 3rd in second race and 1st in third race, overall place was 6th, because he retired first race.[9] 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.[10]

2011: TM[]

In September 2010 Tanel signed with TM Racing Factory Team.[11] His first competition with TM was on February 19–20, 2011 in . Leok finished second in all three races and were also second overall behind David Philippaerts.[12] 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.[13]

2012: Suzuki[]

In October 2011 Tanel signed with Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 team, this is Suzuki factory team. His teammate in 2012 season was Clement Desalle.[14] 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.[15] 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 .[16] 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.[17] Prior to the Swedish Grand Prix, Leok rejoined the TM Racing Factory Team.[18]

2014: TM[]

In November 2013 Tanel re-signed for Italian motocross team TM Ricci Racing. His teammate in 2014 season was .[19] TM Ricci Racing rider Tanel Leok hasn’t had the best of starts to the season. With a knee injury he picked up in the off-season.

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. Tanel had a good season racing the British Championship and finished second in the championship under the LPE Kawasaki.

2016–2021: Husqvarna[]

Tanel Leok has once again inked a deal to join up with the MVR-D team for the third time in his career. His team clearly kept in good terms and Tanel will now be racing the British championship for them in 2016 – the team have decided to run Husqvarna’s in 2016 switching from the Honda machine.[20]

In September 2016 Tanel signed with 8Biano Husqvarna racing team. His teammate in 2017 season was .[21]

Leok, a former factory rider, turned 2018 season privateer and team manager of his own A1 Motorsport Husqvarna team.[22]

Tanel Leok has the world record of the most Motocross of Nations performances, he has 19 straight years and 19 times in the final. Achievied his 19th race in 2019 Motocross des Nations[23]

The A1 Motorsports Husqvarna privateer lined-up during 2020 season the second race here in Kegums, making it his 500th Grand Prix race attendance of his professional racing career, an incredible achievement for the Estonian rider.[24] Estonian professional motocross racer Tanel Leok announced on 3 November 2020 that, the Kegums round in Latvia next year will be the last of his 20-year career.[25]

Career summary[]

Tanel Leok celebrating win in 2010
Season Series Team Name Final Placing
1994 Estonian Motocross Championship 60cc MK Sinilind 3rd
1995 Estonian Motocross Championship 60cc MK Sinilind 2nd
1996 Estonian Supercross Championship 80cc Sõmerpalu MK 3rd
1997 Estonian Snowcross Championship 80cc Sõmerpalu MK 2nd
European Motocross Championship 80cc Sõmerpalu MK 1st
European Motocross Cup 80cc Sõmerpalu MK 25th
1998 Estonian Snowcross Championship 80cc Sõmerpalu MK 2nd
Estonian Supercross Championship 80cc Sõmerpalu MK 1st
Estonian Motocross Championship 80cc Sõmerpalu MK 1st
European Motocross Championship 80cc Sõmerpalu MK 33rd
1999 Estonian Snowcross Championship 80cc Sõmerpalu MK 1st
European Motocross Championship 85cc Sõmerpalu MK 5th
2000 World Junior Motocross Championship 80cc Privateer Honda 1st
European Motocross Championship 80cc Privateer Honda 7th
2001 World Junior Motocross Championship 125cc Bodo Schmidt Racing KTM 1st
German Championship 125cc Bodo Schmidt Racing KTM 1st
European Championship 125cc Bodo Schmidt Racing KTM 6th
2002 World Championship 125cc Vangani Racing KTM 10th
2003 World Championship 125cc Vangani Racing/Bruforce KTM 15th
European Championship 125cc Vangani Racing/Bruforce KTM 10th
2004 World Championship MX1 Motovision Suzuki 6th
British Championship MX1 Motivision Suzuki 3rd
KWS British Champion MX1 Motivision Suzuki 1st
2005 World Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 11th
Dutch Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 3rd
2006 World Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 5th
Belgian Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 13th
British Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 31st
2007 World Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 8th
Dutch Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 1st
Belgian Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 12th
British Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 16th
2008 World Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 8th
Belgian Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 13th
Dutch Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 8th
Estonian Championship MX1 Kawasaki Racing Team 1st
Estonian Championship MX2 Kawasaki Racing Team 1st
2009 Italian Championship MX1 Yamaha Red Bull De Carli 1st
Belgian Championship MX1 Yamaha Red Bull De Carli 9th
World Championship MX1 Yamaha Red Bull De Carli 7th
2010 Italian Championship MX1 LS Honda 2nd
Belgian Championship MX1 LS Honda 2nd
Dutch Championship MX1 LS Honda 23rd
World Championship MX1 LS Honda 6th
2011 Italian Championship MX1 Racing Factory Team 9th
World Championship MX1 Racing Factory Team 12th
2012 Enduropale Du Touquet Beach Race Rockstar Energy Suzuki 2nd
Belgian Championship MX1 Rockstar Energy Suzuki 2nd
Estonian Championship MX1 Rockstar Energy Suzuki 10th
World Championship MX1 Rockstar Energy Suzuki 8th
2013 World Championship MX1 Route77 Energy Honda, Ricci Racing 14th
Maxxis British Championship MX1 Route77 Energy Honda, Ricci Racing 6th
Estonian Championship MX1 Route77 Energy Honda 11th
2014 World Championship MXGP Ricci Racing 18th
Estonian Championship MX1 Ricci Racing 2nd
Baltic Championship MX1 Ricci Racing 6th
2015 MAXXIS ACU British Motocross Championship MX1 LPE Kawasaki 2nd
MX Nationals in Great Britain ProX Pro MX1 LPE Kawasaki 16th
World Championship MXGP LPE Kawasaki 41st
Estonian Championship MX1 LPE Kawasaki 3rd
2016 Italian Motocross Championship MX1 KTM 5th
World Championship MXGP Husqvarna, KTM 17th
MAXXIS ACU British Motocross Championship MX1 MVR-D Fuel10K Husqvarna 4th
Estonian Championship MX1 KTM 1st
Estonian Championship MX2 KTM 2nd
2017 Italian Motocross Championship MX1 8Biano Husqvarna 5th
World Championship MXGP 8Biano Husqvarna 15th
Estonian Championship MX1 8Biano Husqvarna 1st
Estonian Championship MX2 8Biano Husqvarna 1st

Complete World Championship Results[]

Year Team Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Pos. Points
2001 KTM 125cc ESP
 NED
21 		AUS
 BEL
29 		GER
21 		BEL
 SWE
 FRA
 BEL
 SUI
 GER
17 		NED
26 		ITA
 AUT
17 		0
2002 KTM 125cc NED
 ESP
15 		GER
6 		FRA
28 		ITA
28 		AUT
 BUL
 SWE
 BEL
 GER
12 		CZE
15 		RUS
6 		20th 51
2003 KTM MX2 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
2004 Suzuki MX1 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 MX1 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 MX1 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 MX1 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 MX1 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 MX1 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 MX1 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 MX1 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 MX1 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 MX1 QAT
14 		THA
12 		NED
8 		ITA
16 		BUL
15 		POR
12 		BRA
16 		FRA
 ITA
 14th 232
SWE
13 		LAT
18 		FIN
19 		GER
15 		CZE
10 		BEL
11 		GBR
9 		EUR
14
2014 MXGP QAT
13 		THA
14 		BRA
18 		ITA
19 		BUL
15 		NED
9 		ESP
18 		GBR
16 		FRA
15 		ITA
13 		GER
 SWE
22 		FIN
16 		CZE
9 		BEL
22 		BRA
 MEX
 18th 146
2015 Kawasaki MXGP QAT
 THA
 ARG
 ITA
23 		EUR
19 		ESP
 GBR
 FRA
 ITA
 GER
 SWE
 LAT
19 		CZE
 BEL
24 		ITA
 NED
 MEX
 USA
 41st 15
2016 Husqvarna MXGP QAT
14 		GBR
19 		17th 193
KTM THA
17 		EUR
10 		ARG
 MEX
 LAT
12 		GER
15 		ITA
9 		ESP
16 		FRA
 ITA
14 		CZE
16 		BEL
10 		SUI
13 		NED
7 		USA
 USA
2017 Husqvarna MXGP QAT
18 		INA
8 		ARG
21 		MEX
19 		ITA
17 		EUR
12 		LAT
11 		GER
12 		FRA
15 		RUS
13 		ITA
14 		POR
12 		CZE
14 		BEL
15 		SUI
23 		SWE
12 		USA
 NED
8 		FRA
13 		15th 223

Personal life[]

Leok married Karoliina Karu on 11 October 2008.[26] They have three sons, Sebastian (born 3 December 2007),[27] Travis Leok (born 14 April 2010)[28] and Leon Leok (born 14 March 2015).[29] His cousin is also a motocross racer.

References[]

  1. ^ "Tanel Leok" Archived 2010-04-30 at the Wayback Machine From www.yamaha-racing.com, Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  2. ^ "Tanel Leok race results". mxgpresults.com. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Leok inks two year deal with kawasaki" From londonbikers.com, July 5, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  4. ^ Tanel Leok won in Ireland From www.mxlarge.com, August 31, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  5. ^ "Tanel Leok Joins Yamaha Red Bull De Carli" From www.vitalmx.com, November 5, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2009.
  6. ^ 2009 Italian MX1 motocross championships Results From mxrealtime.com, March 15, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
  7. ^ "Tanel Leok wins at rain plagued faenza" From www.hyundai.eu, March 29, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
  8. ^ "Tanel Leok And His Move To LS Motors Honda" Archived 2009-10-03 at the Wayback Machine From mxlarge.com, September 29, 2009. Retrieved December 27, 2009.
  9. ^ Mantova 2010 Results From mxlarge.com, February 8, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  10. ^ "Grand Prix of Catalunya – Musquin and Leok win in Spain" From mxlarge.com, May 16, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  11. ^ "Tanel Leok joins TM Racing Factory with high ambitions" From motocrossmx1.com, September 18, 2010. Retrieved October 2, 2010.
  12. ^ "LEOK GUIDES TM TO SECOND ON FIRST OUTING" From moto.mpora.com, February 23, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2010.
  13. ^ "Billy MacKenzie Tanel Leok Hard Crash – GP Of Great Britain – 21.08.2011 " From youtube.com, August 22, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  14. ^ "Factory Suzuki for Tanel Leok in 2012" From moto.mpora.com, October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
  15. ^ "Leok second in Le Touquet 2012" From mxlarge.com, February 5, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  16. ^ "Tanel Leok back in the UK with Route77energy MVR-D Honda" From moto.mpora.com, 13 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  17. ^ "Tanel Leok murdis Briti motokrossi etapil rangluu" From postimees.ee, 4 June 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  18. ^ "Tanel Leok oli sunnitud hooaja keskel tiimi vahetama" From sport.err.ee, 29 June 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  19. ^ "Leok stays and Guarneri joins him at TM Ricci Racing" From moto.mpora.com, 11 November 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  20. ^ "Tanel Leok signs with MVR-D Husqvarna" From gatedrop.com, 1 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  21. ^ [Larranaga and Leok sign with 8Biano Husqvarna "http://gatedrop.com/larranaga-and-leok-sign-with-8biano-husqvarna/"] From gatedrop.com, 27 September 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  22. ^ [Oma tiimi loonud Tanel Leok: ei saanud Husqvarna tuge raisku lasta "https://sport.err.ee/688526/oma-tiimi-loonud-tanel-leok-ei-saanud-husqvarna-tuge-raisku-lasta"] From sport.err.ee, 9 March 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  23. ^ [Interview: Tanel Leok on his 19th MXoN & A1M Motorsport "https://gatedrop.com/interview-tanel-leok-on-his-19th-mxon-a1m-motorsport/#.X6_vdWgzaUk"] From gatedrop.com, 6 October 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  24. ^ [500th GP Race Attendance for Tanel Leok! "https://www.mxgp.com/news/500th-gp-race-attendance-tanel-leok"] From mxgp.com, 9 August 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  25. ^ [Tanel Leok announces retirement after 20-year motocross career "https://news.err.ee/1154379/tanel-leok-announces-retirement-after-20-year-motocross-career"] From news.err.ee, 3 November 2020. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  26. ^ "Motokrossisõitja Tanel Leok abiellus" From www.elu24.ee, October 15, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  27. ^ "Tanel Leok sai isaks" From www.tanelleok.com, Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  28. ^ "New baby boy for Tanel Leok" Archived 2010-04-16 at the Wayback Machine From moto.mpora.com, Retrieved April 17, 2010.
  29. ^ "Motomees Tanel Leok pani pisipojale huvitava nime" From elu24.postimees.ee, Retrieved September 29, 2016.

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