Ahead of the EMX250 opener, we take a look at some of the dark horses ahead of the season.
We also looked the rookies, here.
The Dark Horses
After missing the entire 2023 season, Dave Kooiker will make his return to racing in 2024 and will be motivated more than ever to remind everyone of his talents. Kooiker who has been with the Hutten Metaal Yamaha team in the past is on the move to Schmicker KTM in 2024. In some ways it will be a rebuilding year for Kooiker but he told us he wants to be in MX2 in 2025 so he’ll need good results.
One rider that has showed a lot of promise in the EMX250 class in the past is Swiss rider, Nico Greutmann who already has plenty of top ten results to his name. Greutmann who was with the SB KTM team last year has made the switch to new team in the paddock, Cat Moto Bauerschmidt Husqvarna. He’ll hope to start the season the same way he did last year before an injury cut his season short.
The WZ KTM needed a fill in rider and decided to look to Australia, they give Ryan Alexanderson a bike for the end of the 2023 season which allowed him to get his feet wet to racing in Europe. He rode a couple rounds of the ADAC Youngsters Cup and raced the final EMX250 round at Matterley Basin so he has some idea of the level and won’t be coming in completely blind.
Petar Petrov has a management role at the AIT KTM team in 2024 and decided to give young French rider, Xavier Cazal a chance to take on the EMX250 series. Cazal was with the VHR team since his EMX125 days but will now switch teams and will be hoping the change of environment and having Petrov’s guidance could be the change he was after.
One rider to really keep an eye on is Bradley Mesters who raced the first and final round of the EMX250 series last year as injury meant he missed most of the season. The Dutch talent has made the switch from de Beats Yamaha to Kosak KTM and has looked really good in pre-season before the EMX250 opener. He is fast in sand and will be hoping it transfers to the hard pack as well.
It’s not easy being a privateer but Slovenian rider Jaka Peklaj will be rocking a true privateer setup and be hoping to battle with some of the heavy hitters in the class. His goal will be to secure a ride with a good team in the future.
British rider, Joe Brookes has signed with 426 Motorsport for the 2024 season – he has big boots to fill after Isak Gifting rode with the team last year and delivered a British title. Brookes himself has good potential and looks good in pre-season, he’ll be hoping to take that speed in the EMX250 campaign and run at the front. Another British talent to keep an eye on is Chambers Husqvrna rider, Alfie Jones who will also contest the EMX250 championship in 2024.
Last year, Saad Soulimani had the opportunity to race some MX2 World Championship events with the Young Motion Yamaha team but he’s decided to focus on the EMX250 series in 2024 and he’ll be hoping his experience racing MX2 has made him a better rider. Soulimani has signed with Ghidinelli Yamaha and has decided to go down the road of racing a two-stroke.
Article: Andy McKinstry
