Irish motocross continues to take positive steps on the international stage as more young talents are committing to racing in Europe – and Daniel Devine is the latest rider to make the move.
The pathway has been steadily growing. A few years ago, Cole McCullough made the bold transition to Europe and proved that Irish riders can compete against the best young talent in the world. That example has since inspired others to follow, with Max Jones racing a full EMX65 campaign last season and impressively securing his place in the final at Loket.
We recently reported that Mason Shields will also take on the EMX65 series in 2026, and now Devine is set to join him on the European stage – but in the EMX85 class. The promising young rider has confirmed his intentions to contest the full championship, with the key objective of reaching the EMX85 final at the iconic Loket circuit in the Czech Republic.
To further accelerate his development, Devine also plans to race selected rounds of the Dutch Masters of Motocross. The premier Dutch series is renowned for its deep sand tracks and fierce competition, providing a perfect testing ground for riders aiming to progress through the European ranks.
This growing trend of Irish riders taking on European competition is hugely encouraging for the future. Racing regularly against elite opposition across a range of challenging circuits is a crucial step in long-term development – and it’s clear that riders like Devine are determined to make the most of the opportunity.
With more Irish youngsters broadening their horizons, the experience gained now could play a major role in strengthening Irish motocross for years to come.
Daniel Devine:
“I want to race in Europe to try race and learn at the best tracks from the best riders in Europe. My goal is to try and qualify to get get inside the top twenty. It would be a dream to get to the EMX finals in Loket and share the track with my MXGP idols”.
