After two extremely difficult seasons blighted by injury and uncertainty, Marc-Antoine Rossi is finally back on solid ground. Knee surgeries, shoulder issues and repeated setbacks have severely limited his time on track, preventing the talented Frenchman from showing the true level that once made him one of the most highly rated prospects in the MX2 World Championship.
Now fully fit and preparing for a fresh start in 2026, Rossi has turned the page by joining Maddii Racing Honda, where he will lead the Italian-based team’s MX2 effort. After spending his entire career on Austrian machinery, the move to Honda represents a significant change – but also a welcome opportunity to rebuild, refocus and prove his potential away from the pressures of recent years.
In this interview with Kevin Frelaud, Rossi opens up about his long road to recovery, the challenges of returning too early, his transition to Honda, life at Maddii Racing, and his mindset heading into what he describes as one of the most important seasons of his career.
Marc-Antoine, to start with, I’d like to know how you’re doing physically. You’ve had a run of setbacks lately: knee surgeries, a thigh injury, a shoulder injury and complications. You’ve been through quite a few health issues. Where do things stand now?
Rossi: Physically, things are much better. I feel really good. I don’t have any health issues anymore. My knee and my shoulder are doing well. I hope it continues like this. I don’t have any problems on that side anymore, it’s behind me now, and I can fully focus on what’s next.
Technically speaking, the last time we saw you on track was at the Elite round in Rauville seven months ago. That’s quite a while. What’s happened for you over those seven months, and what has day-to-day life looked like for Marc-Antoine Rossi?
Rossi: Like you said, the last time I was seen was at Rauville. Since then, quite a lot has happened. At Rauville, I started complaining a bit about my shoulder; it was pulling slightly on a muscular level. The week after that, I struggled quite a bit in training as well. At the same time, I had a big problem with my knee. It was swelling up, I couldn’t walk anymore, I couldn’t do anything. I spent a lot of time in clinics having tests done. In the end, I had to undergo another knee operation – another surgery at the end of August. It took quite a while because, at that time of year, surgeons are on holiday. From there, I took a lot of time to heal and recover. I got back on the bike in mid-October and took my time. After that, I prepared myself well so I could feel as good as possible when joining the Maddii Racing Honda team.
I have to ask you about what happened in Argentina last year at the opening GP of the season. We never really had the chance to discuss it. The return to racing was clearly very difficult.
Rossi: For sure, Argentina wasn’t a good race for me. I didn’t feel comfortable at all the entire weekend. I really struggled a lot from the very first practice sessions. I hadn’t had time to prepare properly during the winter, and I had quite a few problems with the knee that I injured the previous season. Honestly, it was already a struggle just to ride. I wanted to try and give it a go, but in the end it was a very complicated weekend.
After that came the shoulder injury. A few months later, you made a return in the Elite before considering a return to GPs, but in the end, that’s where it stopped.
Rossi: Like I said, after my shoulder injury, I got back into training before Rauville. There, I felt really, really good on the bike, and I was excited about the GP’s. Then, from there, I had a muscular strain in my shoulder and the major knee problem came up. So I used that time to treat my knee, which also allowed my shoulder to recover. That’s why today I feel good.
You’ve joined the Maddii Racing Honda team for 2026 and you’ll be the lead rider in MX2. You’ve spent your entire young career on Austrian bikes, and now you’re in red. You must have recently resumed training. How is this new transition going?
Rossi: Let’s say the transition happened pretty quickly. It’s true that I’ve spent my whole life on Austrian bikes – I’d never ridden anything else. But it happened quite naturally, because I really didn’t spend much time riding last year… Getting straight back on the Honda felt natural; I adapted to it quickly.
Where are you with testing and bike development?
Rossi: We did quite a lot of testing during the winter with the team. We’re still working on setting things up at the moment. That’s a good thing – it means we’re always trying to improve the bike. It also allows me to work differently; I like testing and trying things. I think we’ll end up with a very good bike.
What mindset are you taking into the 2026 season? Given the last two seasons, you must be eager for redemption.
Rossi: For sure, I want redemption, because the last two years have been very difficult. I still showed very good speed during my first year in MX2, before going through two serious injuries that really didn’t help me. Now, I definitely want to have a strong season, a consistent one, and be present every weekend.
In this sport, you can go from the spotlight to the shadows very quickly. Being considered an outsider might be mentally less oppressive. In a way, you’ll have less pressure on your shoulders this season, right?
Rossi: Honestly, I don’t think I’ll have less pressure on my shoulders. I’d actually say it’s exactly this year that I need to show what I’m worth, because I’ve been in factory teams in recent years. If I was there, it was for a good reason, but I was never able to truly show my real value. So this is the year when I need to put everything together to show my full potential. It’s one of the most important seasons of my career.
Speaking of pressure, do you think the “factory” effect may have weighed on your shoulders in recent years?
Rossi: A lot of people talked to me about factory pressure, but it’s honestly not something I ever felt. The team was always behind me despite the injury; everything was done with goodwill, and they never put pressure on me to return to Grands Prix. They told me to take my time – sometimes I was even the one pushing to ride and come back earlier. They never pressured me in that way; they were great with me.
A new team also means a new environment. You were based in Italy with the De Carli team, so I imagine that won’t change too much. How will your programme and daily life be structured at Maddii Racing?
Rossi: It’s true that I know Italy well since I lived there for a year with the De Carli team. You could say I already have my routines there. This year will be different, though – I’ll be able to work more in the way I want to work, and I think that will be an advantage for me.
This is the question riders usually don’t like, but what are your goals for 2026? It’s a pivotal year for you — a year of rebuilding — but there’s always that competitor’s desire to perform.
Rossi: Of course, I always want to perform. I know very well what I’m capable of. When I’m fit, I know I can fight for podiums, and that’s what I’ll try to go after this year. Even so, the most important thing for me will be to complete a full season.
KTM, as a group, has gone through a difficult period. When did you find out that 2026 wouldn’t be in orange, and how did things unfold after that?
Rossi: Let’s say I kind of expected it. I’d gone two years without results; it was complicated for me… It wasn’t easy to leave the family, but after two seasons like mine, it was very difficult to find something for the future. I’m already very happy just to be lining up behind the starting gates, and I’ll fight to earn my place.
Will you be contesting all the GPs in addition to the Italian Pro Prestige championship?
Rossi: Yes, I’ll be doing all the Grands Prix this season, including the overseas rounds. I’ll have an even busier programme because I’ll also contest the full Italian championship. It will do me good to race even more.
You worked under Joel Smets at KTM. Being around him and benefiting from his experience, would you say that will help you moving forward? Can you expand on some of the areas where you improved thanks to him?
Rossi: For sure, working with Joel brought me a lot of positives. He taught me many things, like how to prepare properly during the winter, for example. When you think about it, Joel has only coached champions – that’s true. So you know it’s one of the best foundations to prepare yourself and to measure yourself against. Joel really brought me a lot, and I thank him for that.
