It is gearing up to a big year for Jayson van Drunen as he prepares for the EMX125 championship. The Dutch talent makes the move to Fantic after signing with AIT Racing – he’ll working closely Petar Petrov.
Van Drunen is also trying to follow in his fathers footsteps as Marcel was a World Championship rider back in the 90’s.
We caught up with van Drunen to discuss his signing with AIT Racing and much more…
GateDrop: Jayson, you moved up to the EMX125 championship in 2023. How did you find racing the series and being in the MXGP paddock on a weekly basis? It is a big jump up and the level is high!
Van Drunen: Coming into the MXGP paddock back in 2023 was a dream come true for me. Riding the same tracks and being around all your idols is really something special.
GateDrop: In 2024, you improved a lot and saved one of your best rides of the year for the very last moto so you made progress as the season went on…Were you happy with the season and how do you reflect on it?
Van Drunen: 2024 was a challenging year, I had a lot of ups and downs and made some costly mistakes. It was mostly just me and my Dad at the races and this was hard to have everything organised perfectly. We suffered from quite a few technical issues and a lot of silly mistakes on my side. I was happy to finish the season high and show what I am capable of.
GateDrop: For the 2025 season, you have signed with AIT Fantic Racing, just how did the deal all come around?
Van Drunen: We were looking for a team and our suspension guy Wilfred van Mil put us in contact with Petar.
GateDrop: You’ll work closely with former MXGP rider, Petar Petrov… What have the conversations been like with him and are you looking forward to working with him?
Van Drunen: Petar has a lot of experience in the MXGP paddock, I am really looking forward to working with him and already have a good connection and communication together.
GateDrop: What are your goals for the 2025 EMX125 series?
Van Drunen: My goals are to finish top five in the championship. When you look at it realistically, last year (2024) I showed that I can easily be a top ten guy speed wise, but I lacked consistency. For 2025, a lot of the top ten riders are moving up to the 250cc, so I expect to be challenging for top five with more consistency and less mistakes.
GateDrop: Growing up which rider(s) did you look up to and why?
Van Drunen: Eli Tomac and Jeffrey Herlings because they are hard workers and they always dig deep, I love their attacking riding style also.
GateDrop: You have your father in your corner, Marcel. What is it like having him to guide you in becoming a top GP rider yourself?
Van Drunen: Having my Dad by my side has been a massive help in my success, he taught me all the fundamentals and everything you need to be a GP rider. However, it does remain my Dad and communication is sometimes difficult with the age I am now.
GateDrop: Do you feel any added pressure because of who your Dad is?
Van Drunen: No, I think everybody has there best level, it’s only positive to have a dad like mine in my corner.
GateDrop: You also have Chris Mills in your corner, what is it like him to help you and how does he assist?
Van Drunen: Chris is my Brother in law, he’s been involved with me since I was on the 65cc back in 2017, he also had a few top ten results in the EMX when he was racing at this level, so it’s great to have his experience and advice. He is still racing in England but still comes to some of my races when his calendar allows him to. Normally when he is present he will help with everything behind the scenes and also to have somebody between me and my dad is helpful at times. He also helped with bike testing.
GateDrop: What’s the plans for the off-season before the EMX125 series gets underway? Will you stay in Netherlands/Belgium or go elsewhere to put in the prep?
Van Drunen: I will travel to Spain with my team and the KNMV selection from December 14th to December 28th. After that, I will attend a training camp in France, also with the KNMV selection.
GateDrop: Have you any races planned before the EMX125 opening round and if so what races?
Van Drunen: I will be racing Hawkstone International and the Dutch masters.