Young Italian talent Filippo Mantovani has announced his decision to step away from Motocross, bringing an end to his racing career at just eighteen years old.
Mantovani was tipped for a bright future in the sport after an impressive 2025 campaign in the EMX125 European Championship, where he finished third in the championship behind fellow Italian Nicolo Alvisi and Frenchman Mano Faure.
The youngster stepped up to the EMX250 class for the 2026 season, but an injury meant his rookie campaign did not go according to plan. Now, Mantovani has decided to call time on his motocross career, although he has chosen to keep the reasons behind his decision private.
At just eighteen, Mantovani leaves the sport having already demonstrated his potential on the European stage, with his third-place finish in the EMX125 championship standing out as a highlight of his young career.
We’d like to wish Filippo all the best for the future, whatever it may hold.
In an emotional message shared on social media, Mantovani reflected on his time in the sport, thanked those who had supported him throughout his journey and said goodbye to racing.
Mantovani confirms the news on social media:
Even the most beautiful chapters, the ones you wish would never end, eventually reach their final page.
For me, the time has come to switch off the engine and get off the bike. It’s a decision I’m making with tears in my eyes, because this sport was my life until just a few months ago.
Looking back, I’m proud of the results I’ve achieved over the years, results that will remain in my heart forever and that nobody can ever take away from me. For reasons I prefer to keep to myself, my story ends here. Saying goodbye isn’t easy; it hurts incredibly, but I’ll carry every single emotion with me, every corner, every victory and every defeat.
Thank you to everyone who is part of the MTA Racing team, especially my mechanic, and above all, my friend Diego, who has always been by my side over the years and treated me like a son.
Thank you to my entire family for supporting me from the very first day to the last and for always believing in me.
Thank you to all my friends and my fitness trainer, Giacomo Iacopini who has always been there for me and cheered me on. A special thank you to Cristian Beggi and Alessandro Lupino, who have always managed to give me the best advice, both behind the starting gate and in life.
It’s been a pleasure. Thank you, everyone.
FM102
