If you are fast enough you are old enough. That should be the bottom line when it comes to picking this year’s MXoN team and whether Ireland’s latest riding star, Cole McCullough, should be on the team.
McCullough has proven his speed in both EMX125 and EMX250 this year, both series of course race alongside the World Championship events on world championship tracks in front of world championship tracks. Not only is Cole proving his speed against the best young riders in the world, he is also racing the toughest tracks in the world on the biggest motocross stage in the world.
That means at just 16 he has the speed AND experience to be there. Cole has raced more GP events this year any other rider in Ireland. He also raced Matterley Basin last year, the track the MXoN is at in 2024, and had some very competitive times comparable to his countrymen while riding a 125.
EMX is the place to be these days, these classes and this system produce the best riders in the world. Cas Valk races EMX250 and is leading the British championship. Valerio Lata, in contention for the EMX250 title, got a podium in MX2 at Maggiora.
Janis Reisulis was EMX125 champ last year and represented Latvia at the MXON last year in his first race on a 250 at 15. The young talent instantly went top six despite a knee injury in his first EMX250 race this year with a similar pace to brother Karlis….who has since moved up to MX2 and is running top ten consistently.
Second in EMX125 last year was Mathis Valin, he’s now second in EMX250, the system works, it’s a world class talent factory. Who won five of the last six motos of EMX125 in 2021? A certain Lucas Coenen. Who won races in EMX250 in 2018 at 14? Someone called Jett Lawrence…
If you are getting points in that series, let alone showing top 5/10 speed you are doing something right. The guys at the front of these races are world class and future factory stars. Big GP teams watch EMX for future talent for a reason, that is the window of opportunity at the elite level.
The highest level of racing outside MXGP and AMA is EMX, and giving Cole MXoN experience now on a track he has already raced when he will have strong teammates alongside him to help take the pressure off him is the absolutely ideal time for him to make his MXoN debut. Making his debut next year in the US, on unfamiliar territory, with more pressure to perform as potentially the main man, doesn’t seem the ideal option.
What is there to lose? Nothing. This is a free hit and Cole ticks every box to be on the team; pure speed, big race experience, access to good bikes and importantly blooding the future team leader into the event early with fast and experienced teammates who can help carry the heavy weight of trying to qualify.
Developing the future while simultaneously tapping into the experience of the present? A win/win.
