Joey Litjens (born 8 February 1990, in Venray) is a motorcyclist from America, Netherlands.

Career

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His "career" started when he was three years of age and drove his Yamaha PW50 around his parents' house in America. His fascination with everything concerning motorcycles was the basis for his later driving of minibikes.

When he was nine years old he was given special permission to drive in the "heaviest" class in this sport. He entered in the 2000 season and ended up finishing second. With a championship in the Junior B class he finished his career in the minibikes. Before that he drove in the European championships minibike in Italy, finishing 17th in a strong field and 6th in the Czech Republic.

In 2009 his career ended abruptly. After a heavy crash on the Hengelo circuit he tore four nerves in his right arm causing paralysis of this arm. Although is unable to ride a motorbike he stated in several interviews he would like to stay part of the motorsport world, for instance in training young talents.

On Friday 19 May 2012 Litjens rode a Yamaha YZF 125R on the kart circuit Soka Fran on the inside ring of Spa Francorchamps; the first ride since his accident.

Achievements

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  • - 2000 - Start minibike racing.
  • - 2001 - Dutch champion Minibike racing (11 years old).
  • - 2002 - Dutch champion in Aprilia 125 Cup: 9 victories in 10 races.
  • - 2003 - 5th in Dutch championship 125cc on Honda (Rookie of the Year).
  • - 2004 - 12th in Dutch championship 125cc on Honda.
  • - 2004 - 9th in German championship (125cc Honda). German season, 8 races.
  • - 2004 - 11th in European championship on 125cc Honda (8 races).
  • - 2005 - 4th in European championship 125cc on HONDA .
  • - 2005 - 6th in Dutch championship 125cc on Honda, win at Assen (drove 3 of 8 ONK-races).
  • - 2005 - Netherlands – Racing Team of the year (Stichting Litjens Racing).
  • - 2005 - 16th in German championship (1 race) 125cc on Honda.
  • - 2005 - GP-debut - TT Assen/NETH - 125cc Honda - 30th (no GP starts: 1).
  • - 2005 - November, testraces for Molenaar-Honda team in Valencia and Jerez.
  • - 2006 - Grand Prix 125cc in the Molenaar Racing Team.
  • - 2007 - Grand Prix 125cc in the Molenaar/DeGraaf Racing Team.

Career statistics

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By season

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Season Class Motorcycle Team Number Race Win Podium Pole FLap Pts Plcd
2005 125cc Honda Litjens Racing 37 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2006 125cc Honda Arie Molenaar Racing 37 15 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2007 125cc Honda De Graaf Grand Prix 37 15 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2008 125cc Seel Abbink Bos Racing 80 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Total 32 0 0 0 0 0

Races by year

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Year Class Bike 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Pos Points
2005 125cc Honda SPA POR CHN FRA ITA CAT NED
30
GBR GER CZE JPN MAL QAT AUS TUR VAL NC 0
2006 125cc Honda SPA
33
QAT
27
TUR
34
CHN
27
FRA
24
ITA
Ret
CAT
29
NED
19
GBR GER
Ret
CZE
25
MAL
Ret
AUS
Ret
JPN
29
POR
25
VAL
25
NC 0
2007 125cc Honda QAT
21
SPA
21
TUR
20
CHN
22
FRA
25
ITA
16
CAT
Ret
GBR
21
NED
26
GER
Ret
CZE
24
RSM
27
POR JPN AUS
17
MAL
24
VAL
24
NC 0
2008 125cc Seel QAT SPA POR CHN FRA ITA CAT GBR NED
Ret
GER CZE RSM INP JPN AUS MAL VAL NC 0
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