As the 2025 EMX125 season approaches, Dutch talent Dean Gregoire is gearing up for another exciting year with the Motovation Motorsport KTM team. After stepping into the squad mid-season in 2024, he quickly adapted to the professional environment and is now looking to build on that experience.
We caught up with Gregoire to discuss his transition to the EMX125 class, his winter training – which included dominant performances in the French beach racing scene – and his goals for the season ahead. With guidance from top mentors like Joel Smets and a growing confidence on both sand and hard-pack tracks, he’s determined to make his mark in the championship.
GateDrop: Dean, let’s go back to last year, you had the opportunity to sign with Motovation Motorsport KTM towards the end of the season to finish the season racing the EMX125 series… how did the opportunity all come around?
Gregoire: Motovation Motorsport lost their riders due to unforeseen circumstances. The team, together with KTM Motorsport, chose me to step in and finish the season. It was a great opportunity to compete within a professional structure and I was very happy to get this chance.
GateDrop: When you look back on the 2024 season how would you reflect on it?
Gregoire: It was my first year in a new class, at just 13 years old, with little experience in MXGP/EMX weekend schedules. It was a big step, but I had some great moments throughout the season – strong qualifying results and solid races. Of course, it was all new for me, so I learned a lot. I also made some mistakes, but at this age, I think that’s just part of the process.
GateDrop: You will be staying with the Motovation Motorsport KTM team for the 2025 season, you must be happy with that?
Gregoire: I’m really happy to continue working with the team. I think we made big progress this winter in the right direction, and we’re still improving—so let’s get the season started!
GateDrop: What has your off-season been like? Where have you spent most of it?
Gregoire: During the off-season, we competed in the French beach race championship, Course sur Sable. I won every race I competed in, except for one where I couldn’t finish – I ran out of fuel just 250 meters before the finish line due to a leaking fuel tank. The races were 90 minutes long, and the final event, Le Touquet, was an incredible experience. I had never seen so many spectators at a race before – 300,000 fans that weekend!
GateDrop: I see you raced the Le Touquet race in France, that is a crazy race and crazy conditions. How did you find that?
Gregoire: Besides the beach races, we focused heavily on physical training. Working with my coach Antonio Engelen has taken me to a higher level physically. We also spent time testing and improving the bike, and I’m really happy with the progress we made, especially with the suspension.
GateDrop: It seems like you’ve done a lot of sand riding in the off-season so you’ll be ready for the sand races?
Gregoire: I grew up riding in the sand. Like many others, my idol is Jeffrey Herlings, the best sand rider in the world. We train on the same tracks where he has done thousands of laps. I’ve watched his videos, seen him race in person, and even had the chance to ride with him a few times. Training on the same tracks and learning from his advice has helped me a lot.
GateDrop: Have you did much hard pack riding this off-season and do you feel ready for Cozar? It’s a rocky track…
Gregoire: We didn’t do as much hard pack training this winter, but we did spend Christmas in Barcelona, where I trained for a few days with my little brother. I also joined JJ Racers (Roberts and Augusts Justs) for a training day at Golf Park MX. It was a great session, structured like a race weekend with qualifying and two motos.
My dad has taken me to tracks in Wallonia, France, since I was seven, racing in the AMPL federation on my 50cc bike. Those historic tracks between Liège and Luxembourg are known for teaching great fundamentals—what they call “écolage” in French. The skills I developed there helped me perform well from the start of my EMX65 career. I also raced the Master Kids event in Verdun on both my 50cc and 65cc, where I won four titles.
Last week, we had a three-day training camp with the Dutch federation in Germany. It was a great way to prepare for hard-pack conditions ahead of Cozar. Cozar was my last race of last season, and it went well – I had good speed and strong results. I’m carrying that confidence into this season, ready to build on where we left off.
GateDrop: Looking to the 2025 season, what are your goals for the 2025 season?
Gregoire: My goal this year is to stay consistent and aim for top 10 finishes. It’s a long season with many races, so being a steady contender is key. If we have a strong weekend, we’ll push for a top 5 result. And of course, like every rider, the dream is to fight for podiums.
GateDrop: You’ve worked with Marc de Reuver in the past, what was it like working with him and do you still work with him?
Gregoire: Marc de Reuver has been a family friend for a long time and has supported me from the very beginning of my career. We’ve never had a full trainer-rider program, but he has always been there to help me during the season. Whether watching me live or following my results, he always has advice for me. He’s like an extra set of eyes looking out for me. He is also our trainer/coach for the Youth World Championships, working alongside our national coach Barry Forscheler. Last season, we won the World Championship with the KNMV Dutch team in Heerde – an unforgettable experience!
GateDrop: I think at some trainings, Joel Smets helps you, what has it been like working with him?
Gregoire: Two months ago, I started working with Joel Smets. He’s showing me how factory riders train and work, and I’ve had the opportunity to train with them, watch, and learn. I believe this is a big step toward a higher level of racing and training.
For the past two years, I trained with Dietmar Lacher, who helped me a lot during my 85cc season and guided me through my first EMX125 year. Now, working with Joel Smets on some training days, I feel we’re taking the next step toward the future. I’m grateful to both Dietmar and Joel for sharing their knowledge with me.
GateDrop: The EMX125 looks pretty wide open this year, who do you see as being the title contenders?
Gregoire: It’s hard to say exactly who will be in the title fight – but I hope to be one of them! Last year’s strong contenders who are staying in the class will definitely be title favourites.
