It’s not always easy to make the jump up from the EMX125 series to the EMX250 series but one rider that has made the move with ease is young Dutch talent, Cas Valk. After winning the EMX125 title last year he is already winning races in the EMX250 class. After winning Sweden he was unlucky not to win at his home GP in the Netherlands as well after a break issue in race one.
For 2024, Valk has told us he’ll race a four stroke but still needs to decide between EMX250 and the MX2 World Championship.
We caught up with Valk to discuss his EMX250 rookie season and more.
GateDrop: Cas, your home round of the EMX250 series here at Arnhem, bad luck in the first moto but the second one you rode amazing, I think you can be happy with the riding…
Valk: Mixed emotions for sure. Leading the first race and then a problem with the back break but still managed third place which was really good. The noise control said it was too high so I got docked five places so it is a bit hard to accept. I got my head down for race two and got the race win so it still got me on the podium and second overall actually, quite surprising. But yeah, super happy with second overall. It is a shame about the first race but it was a good weekend overall.
GateDrop: How did it feel to lead in the first one and then in the second one in front of your home fans? Fortunately no issues in the second one so you could get the moto win…
Valk: Yeah, it was just incredible. The crowd was amazing and everyone cheering me on was nice. Also battling with the other Dutch guys at the front in the first race and also battling with Kay in the second one. It was a nice weekend for the Dutch fans I think in the EMX250 class.
GateDrop: You got the win in Sweden and then had the speed to win at Arnhem and your still a rookie in the EMX250 class, it must feel good to show that speed at totally different type of tracks…
Valk: Sweden was really hard pack on Saturday but then on Sunday with the rain, muddy. But I managed to do really good there to get the win, an incredible weekend. You don’t get this often – free practice P1, timed practice P1 and winning both races. It was just incredible.
GateDrop: How would you reflect on your rookie EMX250 series, did you expect to be this good already?
Valk: Yeah, it started out really well in Riola and then I had some rounds that weren’t the best let’s say. In Spain I won again but then Latvia was down again with the DNF also. It was a shame but the last two rounds were going really good so better than expected for sure.
GateDrop: What’s the level like in the EMX250 series compared to EMX125 – tough or for you no problem?
Valk: It is quite tough in the first races but I think when you are there and with a good start you are battling for the first positions that it is quite similar. The guys are just more strong and the pace is a bit more high. They’re also more aggressive but you know, it makes racing more exciting.
GateDrop: Looking ahead to next year you have a bit of decision to make… stay in EMX250 and fight for the title or move up to MX2 and race with the best in the world, is that something you’ve been thinking about already?
Valk: For sure it is not an easy decision, that is for sure. We are thinking and at the moment we haven’t decided yet what I am going to do but soon I will decide.
GateDrop: You’ve obviously been racing a two stroke but I imagine next year the plan will be to ride a four stroke and adapt to that bike as that’s what it’s all about when you move to MX2?
Valk: For sure, next year we are going to ride the four stroke, it doesn’t matter which bike or which brand but for sure we are riding a four stroke next year to make the step in MX2 or in EMX250 to prepare for MX2.
GateDrop: Your sister had a good weekend in WMX, what was it like supporting her up in pitlane?
Valk: Yeah, it was nice, just the second race, not a great start but overall she needs to be happy with a third place and being on the podium at her home race.
GateDrop: Being with the Fantic team you are based in Italy, how do you find that and have you picked up much of the language?
Valk: (laughs) It is nice in Italy for sure, it is a really nice country. It is not so easy to learn Italian for a Dutch guy but I am learning some words let’s say. The easy words and the bad words but I need to learn more Italian but it’s nice.
Interview: Andy McKinstry
Images: Danny Relouw
