Oriol Oliver will make the biggest step of his career in 2026 as he prepares to join the premier MXGP class with the Gabriel SS24 KTM team. After several seasons in MX2 – including a difficult 2025 that saw him jump into the British-based outfit mid-season after being without a ride. The talented Spaniard now has a fresh opportunity to take on MXGP.
With MXGP boasting incredible depth this year and multiple world champions on the line, Oliver knows the challenge ahead won’t be easy. But with a strong team behind him and renewed motivation, he’s determined to prove he belongs at the top level of motocross.
We caught up with Oliver to discuss the move, the transition to the bigger bike, his goals for his rookie campaign and the excitement of lining up alongside the sport’s elite.
GateDrop: Oriol, what a start to the season in Alghero – can you talk me through your day of racing?
Oliver: It was a really good day at Alghero, it was the first pre-season race and we will do two this year, but it was a really positive one to start the season like this. It feels like all the work we did in the pre-season, it’s worth it, and especially with the 450cc it feels really good. I think it’s a category that I can do really good this year. During the timed practice, I don’t know what happened exactly, but I didn’t do really a clean lap and I was only 12th, quite far to the first.
But in the moto’s, I had really good starts in a track that you needed and a good pace, I had quite a lot of arm pump in the first moto. I think a lot of riders had it because it’s the first race so it’s normal. I could finish third so that was really good. In the second moto, I also had a good start, but then they passed me on the inside. I had to try to pass more riders than in the first one and some riders crashed, I managed to finish fourth. It was really good and riding was good. I finished third overall with the same points as Tim Gajser. I am really happy and it is really special to do it with the number 83. This year I decided to race with the number 83 and it is special because it means a lot for me to have this number. I’m happy to start the season like this.
GateDrop: You’ll be racing MXGP this year with the Gabriel SS24 KTM team. How does it feel to have a good ride sorted for 2026? It’s not easy!
Oliver: Yeah, it’s not easy to find a team for the world championship, so I am really grateful for the opportunity they are giving me, I will give my best out there and try to do a useful year as a rookie in MXGP, I’m excited!
GateDrop: What does it mean to you to finally make the move up to MXGP?
Oliver: It’s quite special, as I grow up watching these big names that I will race with…
GateDrop: The prep for 2026 has already started. How do you feel on the bigger bike?
Oliver: It feels really good, during the first trainings on the bike I enjoyed a lot the power of the bike and how you need to ride it, smoother and higher gears. It’s fun just to feel that you are going faster everywhere because of the power. After some years racing the MX2 World Championship and for now I have a base of a set up. We will make some upgrades to the suspension and engine as we continue with the pre season.
GateDrop: You are quite small, I assume you’ll race the 450cc but did you consider trying a 350cc?
Oliver: No never, the more power the better. I already tried the 350cc and did a few ADAC MX Masters races with it in the past. I liked it but in MXGP, it would be even more difficult to compete with the big boys on a 350cc. The 450cc you need to adapt a bit the way of riding but I think with my type of riding it suits me good.
GateDrop: What’s your thoughts on the age rule? If it wasn’t for that would you have preferred to stay in MX2 or where you ready to make the step up to MXGP regardless?
Oliver: As I finished this year with racing, for me it was a bit sad to see that my MX2 World Championship career ended, but now that I switched my head and already doing the pre season with the 450cc, it feels quite refreshing and the change is exciting. In MX2 I felt that sometimes the power was a little problem if you compare with the factory bikes, but I guess in MXGP the power won’t be that big of a difference, and more about setting the bike good for yourself, if I am not wrong. Anyway, it would be good if they could change the age and put it at least one more year.
GateDrop: What are the biggest differences you’ve noticed already between a 450cc MXGP bike and the MX2 machinery?
Oliver: The power… it’s good to never put second gear on a track.
GateDrop: What areas do you feel you most need to improve on to be competitive in MXGP?
Oliver: On being a bit stronger in general, putting a lot of hours on the bike will help this pre season and a bit more gym time.
GateDrop: Have you set any specific goals for your rookie season?
Oliver: I want to learn as much as possible, my goal is going for the top ten. The field will be really tough this year so we will take it race by race and get better where we need.
GateDrop: The depth in MXGP is going to be incredibly high this year, it’s not going to be easy. How do you prepare for lining up against multiple world champions every weekend?
Oliver: I have a good team behind me and we are training hard. We have some support from the factory, a great group of people. Shaun (Simpson) is a good manager that has some experience in this class so it will be an interesting one.
GateDrop: Is there anyone in the MXGP class you’re really looking forward to battling with?
Oliver: In general it would be a nice feeling if I can battle with the front group.
GateDrop: Last year the Gabriel SS24 KTM stepped up to give you a ride when you had nothing and now you are with them for your first season in MXGP – you must really appreciate what the team have done for you?
Oliver: For sure, I could fill in this year in a complicated moment when I had no team and now I can stay ti take on MXGP so I really appreciate Simon, Shaun and KTM for this opportunity!
GateDrop: You’ll also race the British Championship again, what was your thoughts on the series this year? In MX1 you’ll go up against the likes of Mewse, Watson, Sterry and more. Are you looking forward to that?
Oliver: Oh yeah, I am looking forward to it. They have a really good championship with some diversity of tracks, a one day format and some good riders so looking forward to do a good championship there as well. I will also use it as a good training for MXGP.
