Jan Pancar might just be the most underrated story in the MXGP paddock this season. The Slovenian has quietly been grinding away as a full privateer, surrounded by a small, dedicated family team—and yet, he’s gone on to do what no other rider without factory support has done this year: claim a moto podium in the most competitive motocross championship in the world.
While many overlook riders outside the factory structure, Pancar is making it increasingly difficult to ignore his raw speed, resilience, and sheer commitment. From managing his own travel logistics to rebuilding his bike with his dad during a GP season, he shares an honest and eye-opening look behind the scenes of life as a privateer. In this extended interview with Kevin Frelaud, Pancar reflects on his standout ride, the struggle to be recognised, how close he is to the factory pace, and what the future might hold—including interest racing in the USA and a confirmed Slovenian MXoN appearance.
Jan, you are the first full privateer to score a moto podium in MXGP this season, and it might even be in the last decade. I quickly looked through the sheets, and I couldn’t really see any other privateer rider do that. Tøndel got a podium in Portugal last year, but he was with Schmicker KTM at the time. That result, it must be very rewarding for you, and your small crew, despite the so-so second moto.
Pancar: Yeah, it was actually a really good moto. I actually didn’t ride to my full potential, because I got such a big arm pump that I was just holding on to my bars, you know. But still, I watched a bit the race back, and it’s not like I was blocking the guys behind me.
In some laps, I had like a 20-30 meters gap, so yeah, it was really good. I think three laps to go, I was still second, so third in the end is really good. I hope the teams notice me, you know. Because I have the speed, we can see it during the time practices, because I was like – on the hardpack of course – around the top 5 at almost every race, I think.
But in the second moto, I had some bad luck, unfortunately. I started 6th and went down in a corner just because I somehow put it in neutral. I don’t know how, maybe with my boots… So yeah, I crashed, and then I was ninth. It would still be a pretty good result, but then my chain fell off. But it was not the first time, so I turned into a privateer engineer, you know. I put it back on quite quickly, so I was, I think I was like 18th. So, then I passed two guys, ending in 16th.
But yeah, it was difficult to ride after, because I had bent bars, and the clutch was down from the first crash. That was unfortunate.
That’s fair. I understand better now because I looked at the lap times, you were like, I think you had a 1.50 as the best lap time, something like that. And you were quite quicker than the guys in front of you, but it seemed like you couldn’t catch, and I was wondering what was happening…
Pancar: I was 6th, riding comfortably, and I was just trying to go forward. In my head, I was thinking «okay, now I start to push and try to catch Vlaanderen and Gifting» because I was half-way there, but then I crashed. After it was really difficult with the bent bars and stuff.
What was it like holding off Romain Febvre who is battling to be world champion? He’s a series leader. You held him for 25 minutes. Did the nerves get to you? It was quite hectic at the end as well, and what did you think in the moment? Like “bro, I’m f**king second”?
Pancar: Actually, it was pretty good. It was good that I started, I already had the same experience, let’s say, in Germany during the quali race. So now it was a bit easier, but I don’t know. I tried to be calm, but still the arm pump came in… Maybe I didn’t breathe enough in the beginning of the moto, and then just it came …
We did an article back in 2023 when you were still in MX2. Looking at it today, the setup still looks the exact same, actually. Even though you’re in MXGP, it looks like nothing has really changed. Your father is doing the mechanics. I think I saw your mother doing the pit board or something like that at some point. Can you tell me who’s here today and what’s everyone’s role in the Pancar setup?
Pancar: It’s just me, my Dad, my Mum, my girlfriend and that’s it. I’ve never had a mechanic with me. I’m the rider, Dad is the mechanic. Mum and girlfriend, they cook and clean maybe some boots and helmet. My girlfriend is also the mental trainer [laughs]. So, yeah, I mean, it’s quite a lot of work, but we somehow manage it, it’s pretty good.
We talked about it, you got a 4th in quali race in Germany. A very good weekend of a career best result moto today, even though the second moto, I know. Is it safe to say, or do you feel like you’re one of the most overlooked riders in the paddock? I mean, you’re a true privateer, you’re only a few points shy of the 12th place in the standings and you’re battling with factory guys pretty much every moto.
Pancar: I would say yes. I mean, Gifting is really good too. I think me and Gifting are really, really good. So, the Italian championship is really difficult, you know. But, yeah, I mean… Yeah, fortunately, it’s more on me, you know. I showed the good speed in time practices and free practices. My starts were not good until now. But, yeah, I changed some stuff and we can see this weekend. I got two good starts.
The first race, almost a holeshot. I think maybe because of the starts then the results are not that good. Because if you start 15th or 20th, it’s just impossible to come top 5, you know, even for Febvre or Coenen. It’s really hard to get to the front. So, that’s why I think the results don’t show it.
But I think my speed is really close. I would say that maybe with a real factory team, we can go even a step further like in the winter and be even more in front. But it’s on them to see that and I hope they see it.
I’m pretty sure there is hope. But do you think this kind of results will get you any type of attention, recognition or any doors opening?
Pancar: All I can say is that I hope so.
What else can you do?
Pancar: Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I will just try. I mean, of course, my worst point is the sand. That is the problem. But in all the races until the end of the season, I will just try to get the good starts I got this weekend and do the best results I can. I think I can surprise a lot of people.
What will be the ideal scenario for you in 2026? The season, obviously, is not over. But the negotiations are happening right now as we speak. You could be a nice addition to a team for next year. Obviously, I feel like you deserve a shot. But what would Jan Pancar like for next year?
Pancar: Yeah, I mean, it’s quite obvious, right? A factory team, that would be the goal. But, you know, a lot of good riders that were good in MX2 get the seats in MXGP. So it’s not easy to throw them out and I come in. I just hope I can get something. But either way, I think they will see me next year in MXGP.
Do you see this kind of result in the first moto kind of as a dig at the teams that didn’t think you were worth a ride this season?
Pancar: I mean, maybe yes. But I really don’t look at it that way, you know. I just try to do my best. I still have a lot of good sponsors behind me. That they make it happen so I can ride all the races. But, yes, it’s not easy for them too. So I get it but let’s hope for the best.
At the end of the season, you’ll have to go to Turkey, China, Australia. Those are going to be some really expensive trips. Are we going to be able to make it to those rounds without troubles?
Pancar: Yeah, we should. We should make it happen. We promised the sponsors that we would go. So we will go. We already sent the emails for the bikes and stuff. So now my role is to be on the computer and send the emails and book the flights and the hotels. We’ll try to make it as cheap as possible so we can make it happen.
Do you have any idea how many kilometers a year you log on your camper? Just doing the MXGP and the Italian Championship. It must feel like you must have to change an engine every year.
Pancar: I mean, I think it’s like around 50,000, I think. Maybe with the trainings altogether. But I mean, it’s a lot for a camper, you know. You have to sell it after two, three years. We don’t have that kind of budget. It’s not ideal for us.
You’ll be in Lommel next weekend. What’s next week going to look like for you?
Pancar: Yeah, tomorrow we take some rest and then go to some sand tracks. Yeah, it’s quite far, like three hours from my home. Because there are no sand tracks in Slovenia. I hope I can be in the top 15, maybe top 10 in the sand, that would be perfect. Yeah, it’s not easy because I didn’t ride sand until I was like 14. So, you know, it’s quite a handicap.
Yeah, but I guess if you get into a good team, you’d probably be based somewhere in Lommel or something like that. Then you do a full winter in the sand…
Pancar: Exactly. I think the full winter in sand would help a lot. Even us, we went for two weeks to Sardinia because my dad doesn’t have many holidays from work. So, you know, if I would be like two months or at least one month in Sardinia it would already be much easier for me.
How long will you be able to keep going with this setup? Of course, it seems to work for you, but is it sustainable on the long term? It must be exhausting. I say that and I don’t even know what your daily life looks like.
Pancar: I mean, I don’t know if many know, but we actually do everything on our own – the suspension, service, everything. So, at home we have to prep the bike. We don’t send the bike somewhere and they make it for us. It’s a full-time job. Even for me as a rider, I still have to clean the bikes, change the tires, everything, you know. So, it’s hard to say. I would hope it’s sustainable, but of course for like long, long term, I think it is not.
Can we talk about your Dad’s schedule a little bit? Because he seems to be 400% in it. It’s amazing to see his dedication. He also has a job. You’ve got an amazing Dad…
Pancar: Yes, of course. Yeah, it’s really difficult for him too. He has a normal job. I think he has like 32 days of holidays a year and we have to work around that. And then, you know, we try to go to the races on Thursday after work. He still works on Thursday and then that means we get to the track very late.
We have to drive the whole night and then it’s more tiring for him and for me, of course, because I have to drive too. He’s not a robot even if I think he might be sometimes [laughs]. He can just drive nine hours without issue; I don’t know how. I last like three to four and I go to sleep because it is too much for me. Sometimes I have to wake up at three o’clock and drive the camper so it’s not ideal. My father, he has a big passion. He’s trying his best, of course and it wouldn’t be possible without him.
Last question for you, Jan. Any hopes Slovenia will head to the MXoN this year? I think your federation never sent a team in the US.
Pancar: I will give you the scoop. Slovenia is going. Now you have the news, go fast and type it in [laughs].
The scoop! Gajser, Pancar, Peklaj would be the team, I guess?
Pancar: It should be like that. The third rider, they are still deciding. Maybe someone else, but probably it will be Peklaj. We will see. I had to fill out the forms for the overseas races and we had to do it for the MXoN too. So, I called the federation. I asked, «Do we go or not? I have to fill the forms now.» And they say, «OK, Jan we go». So, that’s good. It’s always nice to go to des Nations.
I mean, I’ve never been to America, but if they don’t see my potential here, maybe some teams in America will. I hope so anyway. If you’re reading, contact me on Instagram, JanPancar253 and please, let me know [laughs].
Have you been looking at guys like Prado, Paturel, Guillod, Tøndel etc? You must feel like you could have a shot over there too.
Pancar: In outdoors, I think for sure. With Guillod, we were fighting together in the beginning of the season in MXGP, and he’s constantly top ten over there. So, I think it’s kind of the same speed there and here. I mean, Prado is struggling, but Guillod and Paturel are doing really good. Even Tøndel was really good when he raced. I would have to learn supercross but I think I am more of a technical rider and should be good even for me. But, of course, it wouldn’t be easy.
