One exciting prospect to be excited about in the UK is young Jamie Keith. Despite very little experience racing outside the UK he really impressed at the Junior World Championship at the rough deep sand of Heerde.
Keith finished 6-8 in the moto’s and had a great battle with Gyan Doensen in the first moto, we all know how fast he is as he’s challenging for the EMX125 title!
This weekend, Keith heads to Arnhem to make his EMX125 debut ahead of lining up for the full series in 2025 which should really help him improve even more.
We caught up with Keith ahead of the weekend to get his thoughts and more…
GateDrop: Jamie, first of all domestically you are having a great season racing in the UK. Can you tell us how the season is going for you?
Keith: My season has been brilliant so far, the points gap in the Dirt Store British championship isn’t where I want it to be, but I will do my best and try and secure the championship.
GateDrop: I was at Heerde for the Junior World Championship, and you were superb there battling right with Gyan Doensen in the first moto and looking at home. Can you talk me through your races there?
Keith: My race at the Junior Worlds were something I was not expecting, my lap times were on par with the top three and I pushed right until the last second to get as many positions as I could which was sixth and eighth for sixth overall!
GateDrop: You haven’t raced outside the UK much so heading to Heerde what did you expect?
Keith: I went over to Heerde with an open mind, the first goal was just to qualify which I did and then the second goal was to be fighting for top fifteen which I also did… but I was sitting comfortably inside the top 10.
GateDrop: Sometimes British riders when they go outside England struggle to show the same pace outside the UK, you must have been pleased it didn’t affect you at Heerde?
Keith: I wasn’t really that nervous at the Junior Worlds as I knew I had the pace, I just hit my marks, kept my head on and secured solid positions which I’m very pleased with.
GateDrop: This weekend, you’ll make your EMX125 debut at Arnhem. You must be excited to race during an MXGP weekend and the same weekend as the best riders in the world?
Keith: I can’t wait. The track looks amazing and it’s a dream come true to be riding and racing on the same track as the factory boys.
GateDrop: What’s your goals for this weekend?
Keith: The first goal is the obvious one which is to qualify which I feel very confident in myself, and the next goal is to be inside the top ten again showing the European boys what I can do.
GateDrop: Will this be the only EMX125 round you’ll contest this year, or could we maybe see you in Switzerland or Spain?
Keith: Unfortunately, this is the only EMX125 round I will be doing this year, I wish I could do some more but only this one will be for me this year.
GateDrop: You are obviously very fast in the sand, what’s the hard pack riding like?
Keith: When I come from sand to hard pack, it takes me a few laps to find my flow but overall, I can spin roughly the same speed around the two different terrains.
GateDrop: I believe you work closely with Ashley Wilde, what’s it like working with him?
Keith: Ash and I started working together at the end of 2022, and I couldn’t fault a second of it, he pushes me on and off the bike to be the best I can and the most of all, he believes in me.
GateDrop: Have you any plans for 2025 yet, it would be nice to see you race more EMX125 rounds…
Keith: Next year in 2025, I’m doing the full EMX125 season to show my speed and try to make that dream and making this my job come true.
