Starting a Motocross team from scratch is never an overnight decision – it takes vision, planning, and a deep understanding of the sport. For Harrie Meuwissen, that spark came last August, amid unexpected circumstances and a clear opportunity. With the backing of the MX Academy in Switzerland, Meuwissen Motorsports Honda is now ready to take its place in the MXGP paddock, fielding a diverse lineup that spans WMX, EMX250, and MXGP.
From managing logistics and having a dedicated workshop in Lommel, to nurturing young talent like Nico Greutmann and guiding riders through their first international campaigns, Meuwissen and his team are embracing the challenge with ambition and meticulous preparation.
We caught up with Meuwissen as he opens up about the early days of the team, the support of his family and partners, and the goals he has for both his riders and the future of the team.
GateDrop: Harrie, you don’t just wake up one day and decide you want to run a Motocross team, then go and do it. It takes months/years of planning. When did you first get the idea, you’d like to run a team in the GP paddock?
Meuwissen: Well, actually, at the end of August last year we came up with the plan to start our own team. It actually happened like this: we were at an interview at the MX Academy in Switzerland. Raf could have signed another year, but due to his serious injury, we found out that, especially with higher temperatures and riding at a high level, his only kidney couldn’t keep up. That’s when the idea came, with the full support of the MX Academy in Switzerland, to run our own team.
GateDrop: Initially I think the team was going to be more focused on WMX, but in the end you’ve decided to run 1 WMX rider, 2 EMX250 rider and 1 MXGP rider. In the end you probably took on more than intended?
Meuwissen: Yes, you’re right, that was the plan. But we received so much interest that I think we’re offering the complete package. Raf has ridden in many teams, both good and less successful. We’ve tried to create something beautiful with the experience we gained. We have a workshop in Lommel where the mechanics can live. We’ve also rented a house 5 km from the workshop where the riders can live.
They all train physically with Kenny van Dueren, and Kenny also helps Raf with the motorcycle training in the initial phase. In principle, we were full with three riders, but with the request from Switzerland to also accommodate the talented Nico Greutmann, we couldn’t refuse. It’s going to be busy, we know that, but we’re going for it.
GateDrop: You have support from MX Academy in Switzerland. Just how important is that for your team?
Meuwissen: That’s very important. Without the MX Academy, we wouldn’t have been able to launch this project. But we’ve often sat down together to map out the lines for a multi-year project. We share a great vision, have a reliable brand behind us, and collaborate with the best tuners to present ourselves as effectively as possible.
GateDrop: Raf raced in Switzerland last year and maybe even the year before. That clearly helped to build relationships in the sport? What was your thoughts on the Swiss series?
Meuwissen: Well, let me just say, this was a very special experience in Switzerland. After Raf’s serious accident, we received another great offer from Switzerland. So we were only going to race the Swiss championship. I really thought, with Raf’s experience (EMX, MX2, Dutch Masters, ADAC), it would be easy to get a podium finish.
But…the tracks there are incomparable to what we’re used to. Really banked corners, very high speeds. I can’t compare this competition to any other we’ve ever raced in. The racing is very fast, and it’s always a fantastic organization with a large crowd.
GateDrop: Raf is the team’s coach/trainer for 2026 – how is he adapting to his new role?
Meuwissen: (laughs) Raf is Raf. He’s probably the sweetest guy in the entire paddock, so he’s still getting used to his new role. It’s just hard for him to be tough on his riders, but he’s getting stronger every week. For me, he’s the best colleague you can have. If someone says something, I feel something, my bike is acting up, Raf just gets on it, and we immediately have a second opinion about the incident or any discussion. Raf is doing a great job, and so is my wife, Miranda. We do this as a family, and without this support, you can’t lead a team.
GateDrop: This is your first time in the position of having to plan a race team – what’s it been like planning the logistics of it all etc?
Meuwissen: The plan is to use easy-ups, especially in our first year. A van will then be available for the riders. We have our own van – Miranda and I then have the camper and trailer.
GateDrop: So far how has pre-season been going with all the riders?
Meuwissen: Well, we’ve been in Spain for about six weeks. We’ve had a lot of rain, like everyone else, so it’s been a lot of work and wear and tear, but we were able to get some good training done. Now we are back in Belgium and back to full throttle in the sand.
GateDrop: Nico Greutmann has big potential and should really suit the 450cc. How’s he looking on the bigger bike and what’s your goals for him in 2026?
Meuwissen: Nico, in the beginning mainly had to learn that he was also on a 450cc and no longer on a 250cc. It takes time, but Nico learns quickly. How fast? I don’t know but he occasionally shows things, especially his lap times are good. What I also find very important is that he is the big brother to all our riders; he helps and supports everyone, that’s a credit to him His expectations? I think top five in the ADAC MX Masters series. MXGP is difficult for me to say anything about. It’s his first year in MXGP, and don’t forget straight up from the EMX250 class. It’s going to be a great class, with only good riders. We don’t want to put any pressure on Nico and let him gain experience.
GateDrop: In the EMX250 series class, you signed Emile de Baere and Jordan Van Wyk – in the end why did you decide to go with these riders and what do you expect from them?
Meuwissen: Jordan is a super talent from South Africa. I’ve never seen such a cool guy with super style. Of course, he needs work, but that’s also the challenge. This guy surprises me every day. I’ll tell you, he won’t be on the podium next year… but he has something in him.
We went testing in France with Emile. Raf and I were amazed by this guy’s talent in terms of riding, style, and foot position. As everyone knows, he lost his great friend, his father, in motocross, so he needs some mental work, but this guy also has so much potential. We’ll also start with Emiel in the EMX, but he’ll definitely be an MX2 rider in the future.
What I expect? EMX250 will be a big class. As always, the first races will have 80 to 100 riders, and then everyone will be eliminated. So, we’re not setting the bar too high for the EMX250 riders. We’ll try to qualify, and then we’ll see what happens step by step.
GateDrop: Laura Raunkjaer has signed for the WMX class – what’s the goals for her?
Meuwissen: We actually have the same goal for Laura, she already knows the Honda from last year so that is already an advantage and I think if she has a good winter behind her she could finish between P8 and P12 in the WMX series.
GateDrop: Being a none factory team – how hard do you think it is to compete with factory teams and riders?
Meuwissen: We’ll see. Of course, we don’t have the budget of the factory teams, and we have to make do with what we have. For some of our team’s riders, it’s the first time in their careers in an organized team, so they’re without family around them. Jordan even made the move to Europe for his goal. Again, we have a strong brand behind us, with what I believe are the best tuners.
GateDrop: Long term where do you see the team in the future?
Meuwissen: In a few years to run a factory team in the paddock (laughs).
