Young Dutch talent, Dex van den Broek didn’t have an ideal 85cc first moto at the Junior World Championship as he had to come from last but he was able to get back up to tenth. After the first moto an overall podium looked very unlikely.
However, in moto two he battled right at the front and ended up finishing an impressive second behind Lucas Leok and he had a nice battle with Levi Townley. It meant he ended up third overall.
We caught up with Van den Broek after the weekend to discuss his podium and more…
GateDrop: A podium here at your home Junior World Championship. You must be very, very happy, especially after a bad start in moto one…
Van den Broek: Yeah, I had a bad start in moto one and then I came all the way up to 8th or something and then I crashed on the first lap. So, I had to come from P35 to tenth and that was good. In the second moto I had a better start, around 6th. I then made my way up to second. I fought the whole race with Bauer, with Townley and with the Swedish guy. I finished second in the moto and third overall so that was good.
GateDrop: After the first Moto, did you really expect to get on the podium?
Van den Broek: No, no, no. It was very good to get on the podium.
GateDrop: In the second Moto, you showed you had the speed to run right at the front. So, in terms of your speed, you must be happy?
Van den Broek: Yeah, the second moto, it was good. I had a good start and I ride with the other guys, the rhythm, and that was good.
GateDrop: How did you find the track? Yesterday it was very deep, today not quite as deep but did you find it rough or just typical a Dutch track?
Van den Broek: Yeah, it was really difficult with all the bumps. But it was not very, very rough.
GateDrop: You’ve had a little injury. I think you’re still recovering a little bit from the injury. What’s it like to ride with it?
Van den Broek: Yeah, it was good and I had a little bit of recovering time.
GateDrop: Next year you’re going to be on the 125cc?
Van den Broek: Yeah.
GateDrop: Are you looking forward to making the jump up? And have you rode with a 125 yet or are you going to wait?
Van den Broek: So, I think the plan is to do a few more Dutch races and then get on the 125cc for a few months to prepare for 2025, that’s the plan.
GateDrop: Next year you’re obviously going to be in the GP paddock quite a lot. Are you looking forward to being in the GP paddock and racing on the same weekend as Herlings, Prado, Gajser?
Van den Broek: Yeah, I am looking forward to that.
GateDrop: What’s the dream for the future?
Van den Broek: (without any hesitation) To be world champion.
