In a paddock increasingly dominated by factory-backed operations, independent teams remain the lifeblood of the Motocross World Championship – nurturing talent, keeping grids full, and bringing fresh energy into the sport. One such team is MX-Handel Husqvarna, a German-based outfit that has steadily grown its presence from the ADAC ranks into the international arena.
Over the past few seasons, MX-Handel has taken bold steps into both MXGP and the European Championship structure, balancing top-level competition with its commitment to developing young riders. The 2025 season proved to be a strong season for the team with Kevin Brumann impressing in MXGP. With Brumann continuing in MXGP, exciting young prospect Nicolai Skovbjerg joining the setup, and the Leok brothers remaining under the awning – guided by former Grand Prix star Tanel Leok – MX-Handel enters the new season with clear ambition and a distinct identity.
We sat down with team owner Matthias Kiok to reflect on 2025, discuss the challenges of running an independent GP team, and look ahead to what the future holds for MX-Handel Husqvarna.
GateDrop: Matthias, let’s look back on the 2025 season – how would you reflect on the season for the team?
Kiok: Hi, first of all, thank you for the invitation to do an interview. Looking back on 2025, it was a new project, a complete GP+EMX season. It started very well and looked promising, but then unfortunately Kevin was injured in Spain and Sebastian Leok was injured in Latvia for the rest of the season, and Travis Leok in the EMX125 was already out of training for the whole season in winter.
GateDrop: The team only stepped up to the MXGP paddock a couple of years ago and it’s always nice to see new teams in the paddock. In the end why did you make the decision to race MXGP and EMX with the team?
Kiok: Well, if you have good young riders in the ADAC and they want to advance and you don’t want to lose them, then you have to take it a step further, i.e., EMX or MXGP.
GateDrop: Kevin Brumann improved a lot last year consistently getting points in MXGP and battling in the top fifteen which isn’t easy. You must have been happy with his progress?
Kiok: Yes, that’s us. We worked hard with Kevin to gain his trust.
GateDrop: Brumann will stay with the team in 2026 to race MXGP – was there ever any doubt or was it a no brainer to keep him for another season?
Kiok: What is already taken for granted today. We really like Kevin and his circle of friends. It would have been a shame to lose him, but at the end of the day, there has to be a solution, and we found one together with Brumann.
GateDrop: The team have just announced Nicolai Skovbjerg for the 2026 season. When did you start talking to him and how did the deal all come together? Was it a difficult deal to sort?
Kiok: We have been friends with Skovbjerg for a long time and have often joked that he would join our team. Now it’s happened – we’ve put together a good package.
GateDrop: has a lot of potential – what are your goals for him in 2026 in both the EMX250 series and the ADAC MX Youngsters Cup?
Kiok: To win the ADAC Youngsters Cup championship and to be on the EMX250 podium.
GateDrop: I think it would be fair to say that Skovbjerg’s future is in the MX2 World Championship – if he impresses would you consider running an MX2 GP rider in the future so you can keep him under the awning?
Kiok: Let’s see what happens… But why not?
GateDrop: It is very expensive to run an MXGP team and especially to do all the rounds which you do with Brumann. Just how much budget do you need to make it all happen? It must be stressful to get sponsors etc to make it all happen?
Kiok: That is a difficult question. and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find sponsors or raise money. I’d like to mention a sum, but suffice it to say that it’s quite a lot.
GateDrop: Do you think Infront Moto Racing could change anything to support the teams more?
Kiok: I think that’s definitely possible, and I also believe that something should be done about it, otherwise there will only be factory teams in the future.
GateDrop: Sebastian Leok improved a lot this year – did he even surprise you with some of his rides? You must have been happy with his development…
Kiok: Yes, Sebastian is now in his fifth season with us and is improving every year, just like his brother Travis.
GateDrop: Will Sebastian also be staying with the team for the 2026 season? And if yes, what championships will he race?
Kiok: Yes, both Leoks are staying. Travis will race the EMX125 and the ADAC MX125. Sebastian will ride EMX250, some MX2 and the ADAC Youngsters Cup. .
GateDrop: Tanel Leok has been there done that and is involved with his son, what’s it like working with him and is he able to help the other riders under the awning as well?
Kiok: Tanel is a person with a wealth of experience and success, and is undefeated with 22 MXoN races for his country. Tanel is part of our team as the trainer for the riders, with whom he runs the track and gives tips, and also as the mechanic at the races for his son Travis.
GateDrop: Long-term, what’s your plan for the MX-Handel Husqvarna team in the future?
Kiok: That’s difficult to say. Our aim is for all riders, supervisors, mechanics, helpers, sponsors, and friends to enjoy our work and successes, because success will not come through coercion. I hope I have conveyed a few impressions about our team.
