Young British talent, Hayden Statt certainly has good speed and talent but things just didn’t fall into place for him at Heerde to show what he could really do. He will head to Loket this weekend and ready for redemption – he wants to be right at the front in the EMX85 class.
For 2025, the young Brit plans on racing the EMX125 series so that will be exciting to see another talented young Brit in that class next year.
We caught up with Statt after the Junior World Championship at Heerde to get his thoughts.
GateDrop: Hayden, not the weekend you would have wanted at Heerde despite showing good speed on the Saturday, nothing seemed to fall right for you on Sunday. Can you talk me through your weekend?
Statt: Yes, of course, it definitely was not the weekend we were hoping for at all. The first race was heading in the right direction until I crashed in the split section and the race after I just felt as if I wasn’t able to prove myself after the second corner crash but we will push on and for sure you will see a lot better results at Loket.
GateDrop: I am sure you are disappointed but team GB still ended up on the podium with a third overall, so you must have been happy to stand up on the Nations podium?
Statt: Yes, I was not expecting for the team to be in 3rd as not all of our performances were the greatest but yes of course I was happy to stand up on the podium to show Britain do have great talent.
GateDrop: Jamie Keith was very fast, you must have been pleased to see him ride so well? Battling right with Doensen!
Statt: I was really pleased to see our 125cc rider Jamie Keith battling it out with Gyan… I think a lot of people underestimated Jamie.
GateDrop: How did you find the Heerde track? With the rain it made things deep and gnarly… Do you like those kind of tracks?
Statt: I found Heerde to be quite a demanding track and definitely not for the weak but I’m not sure it was the greatest choice for a worlds as a lot of riders ride the track making it unfair for some. Events like that should be held at tracks which aren’t rode a lot.
GateDrop: Loket this weekend for redemption, what are your goals for the EMX85 races there?
Statt: My goals are of course to win that is what I’m there to do and another position does not satisfy me but top 3 and I will be pleased.
GateDrop: How do you feel on the hard pack and will you do any riding before Loket?
Statt: We will test during the week and get ready for Loket and get some hard pack rode.
GateDrop: After Loket, what’s the plans for the rest of the season?
Statt: I will have a few British rounds after Loket but there will be no rest as I will need to get fit and strong on the 125cc.
GateDrop: It’s still early but do you know your plans for 2025 yet – another year on the 85cc or maybe move up to the 125cc?
Statt: For the 2025 season I will be moving 125cc as I see no point in wasting another year on the 85cc to be a year behind the year after.
GateDrop Whenever you do move up to the 125cc, I am sure you can’t wait to be part of the GP paddock racing in the EMX125 class in the future – that’s where it’s at!
Statt: Yes I’ll be excited to be in the GP paddock, the plan is to do all the EMX125 rounds and over the winter I’ll put the work in to prove I belong there.
