Since moving up to racing the 250cc, Håkon Østerhagen injuries really haven’t been kind to young Norwegian talent. This year he had the opportunity to race the MX2 World Championship with JM Honda but a neck injury sadly ended his season.
Østerhagen is currently without a ride for the 2025 season so he eager to secure a team so he can start to focus on his return next year. We caught up with the likeable Norwegian talent to discuss his injury, future and more…
GateDrop: Hakon, first thing to touch on is your injury. Whilst preparing for the German GP you picked up a neck injury. Initially it sounded like you may make it back towards the end of the season but that hasn’t happened. How bad was the injury and how are you now?
Osterhagen: The injury is going good, very good actually. I was hoping to be back on the bike in the end of the season so I could race the last races but with the injury I had I need to wait until November to ride.
GateDrop: I saw you at Lommel GP – was it tough being in the paddock and having to watch?
Osterhagen: You always want to ride so watching while you know you should be out there is no fun but I have got use to it, lets say. But it’s also fun to watch the fastest ride so when you’re back on the bike you could maybe start focusing on doing some minor changes that you see the best are doing.
GateDrop: Just on your season before the injury, it wasn’t great and at Arco you were telling me you just weren’t sure what was going on. Now you’ve had time to reflect, how would you describe your season up until the injury?
Osterhagen: My start wasn’t the best no, I mean I had some good races here and there but I couldn’t figure out how to do it every round. The people around me were telling me it was stress and my physical wasn’t great after being injured almost 3 year in a row. Maybe it was stress, I couldn’t really tell.
GateDrop: You signed with JM Honda for this year, what was your time like with the team?
Osterhagen: The team is very energetic, they always want to test and make the bike better for the riders. Great people to work with and a good environment.
GateDrop: I believe for 2025, you have been notified that you won’t be staying with the team… Disappointing to hear I am sure but have you had any other interest?
Osterhagen: Sadly no, but I mean I kind of understand when you don’t perform, I have tried reaching out but the teams are mostly full or they are speaking with someone. It would be good to stay in MX2 but as of now I will take what I get.
GateDrop: If it came down to it, would you be prepared to step back down to the EMX250 series which you could use as a reset year?
Osterhagen: Yes, 100%. I wouldn’t say a reset year but stepping down and take a year where I can evolve again and maybe do some good results to get some confidence back and hopefully a whole year with riding.
GateDrop: It doesn’t feel like it was that long ago you were right at the front of the EMX125 series and it looked like you’d have an amazing future, you have a lot of talent… but injuries, it must be so frustrating the amount of injuries you have had?
Osterhagen: 125 days were the best days in my life, everything was put together nicely and if it weren’t for Marco and Corrado (Maddii), I would never become a Junior World Champion. I would do anything to get that year back. But as I posted on my Instagram a while ago is that we are motocross riders and injuries are a part of the sport. After this last one I wasn’t sure if I would come back, I was lying in my bed and was like should I stop? But after thinking and thinking I am not even near to giving up. I will do the work and hopefully be back on the track.
GateDrop: In this sport talent and potential is quickly forgotten about if you don’t have result for a year or two, is that frustrating?
Osterhagen: It can quickly go that way and I feel like that has almost happened to me right now, the only year I actually finished was 2022 with Maddi Racing.
GateDrop: During your injury you stayed in Belgium for a while I believe but are now back in Norway, is it nice being back home – at the same time what was it like in Belgium? You were there for quite a while so did you feel comfortable there?
Osterhagen: It’s always nice to come back home to friends and family of course but knowing you should be in Belgium racing and training, it’s not the same feeling. I had great people who I could stay with in Belgium, Domi and Danielle. They have been like a second Mum and Dad.
GateDrop: In terms of 2025, would you be prepared to be based elsewhere? So if an Italian or German team for example was interested you’d have no problem relocating?
Osterhagen: Belgium is a perfect place to be in the summer so I’d be happy to be around there but if it came down to Italy or somewhere else, I’d be fine with that.
GateDrop: If you don’t get a good ride, what do you think will happen worse case scenario? I’d like to think you could pick up a national ride without too many issues so you could keep racing at least…
Osterhagen: When times like this is happening that you don’t know if you can get a ride, you start to think about what you need to do, like go back to school or find a job and use motocross a hobby sport. A lot of money goes into this sport and some can’t afford to do it alone.
GateDrop: Thanks for your time, fingers crossed we see you in the GP paddock next year…
Osterhagen: Thank you, I hope to be back soon on the bike and back behind the gate.
