Jere Haavisto arrived at Lommel with one clear objective – leave Belgium as the 2026 EMX Open champion. The Finn delivered in style, overcoming less-than-ideal starts in both motos before charging through the field to secure a dominant 1-1 sweep and finally claim the title after finishing runner-up at the same venue two years ago.
We caught up with Haavisto as he reflects on achieving a long-term goal, explains why he felt even stronger on Sunday’s brutally rough circuit, discusses his impressive progress in the ADAC MX Masters, and reveals why, for now, he’s focusing on that championship rather than expanding his MXGP schedule.
GateDrop: Jere, The EMX Open Champion 2026, just how does that sound first of all?
Haavisto: It sounds good, I’ve been chasing this title a couple times. In 2024 here I finished second so it’s quite nice to finally get it.
GateDrop: And can you just talk me through your races first of all, the starts weren’t great, you had to work your way, quite similar races actually, you had to work your way through to the front but I mean once you got into first position there was no stopping you!
Haavisto: Yeah, I mean yesterday my start was quite good I feel, I think I was first in the first corner but then somebody was a little bit on the inside of me and then he pushed me a little bit wide in the first corner. That’s why my start was quite bad and today also I had to make a couple of passes to get to the front. My riding was actually better today than yesterday so I felt quite good all weekend long.
GateDrop: What were your expectations coming into the weekend, was it just to win full stop or I guess you have to respect the other riders coming here too?
Haavisto: I knew there was some fast riders like the guy (Knuiman) who finished second, he’s really good on the sand tracks. But of course, my goal was to win the championship.
GateDrop: What was the track like yesterday compared to today, it looked really rough both days but probably even rougher today.
Haavisto: Actually, after yesterday they didn’t do that much preparation for the track just some jumps maybe but still today I felt a lot better than yesterday even though it was more rough today. My bike setup was today a little bit better.
GateDrop: Do you enjoy those types of tracks, I mean it’s a pretty unique track you don’t get to race conditions like that all the time with such deep sand but do you enjoy it?
Haavisto: I enjoy it, actually. Lommel is really special with how the sand is here and it’s a little bit harder than it used to be I feel like. But I felt good on it.
GateDrop: Just on your season so far obviously the main focus is on the ADAC Championship just how would you reflect on that so far this season? I think you got your first podium so you must be happy with how that’s going…
Haavisto: I got my first podium, and I got my first race win so it’s been a good season so far. Of course, I’m trying to be more often on a podium and get at least third place in the championship, that would be good.
GateDrop: Just on the level of that championship, what’s that like? Nagl is injured now but usually you’ve got Nagl and Roan van de Moosdijk, I mean these are legit guys top 10 GP speed. What’s the level like and is it tough to race against those guys every week and try to win?
Haavisto: Yeah, I feel like the level is really high. Actually I felt quite proud to watch the races in US when Van de Moosdijk was racing there and I think he finished somewhere inside the top 10. I was just looking thinking that’s the guy who I’m battling with at the ADAC races so I feel like the level is really high. You also see guys like Spies and Tom Koch doing pretty well at the GP’s as well.
GateDrop: I think you’ve done a few GPs this year, right?
Haavisto: Just one in Kegums.
GateDrop: How was that for you, did you enjoy racing the MXGP class?
Haavisto: It was a disaster, that was a really bad weekend for me. I just was struggling all weekend long.
GateDrop: How did you find the level of MXGP at Latvia? You’ve raced some GPs in the past but I mean this year the speed at the front looks crazy…
Haavisto: Yeah, I mean every year the level is really high there. It’s difficult to say which year is a little bit higher because it’s always hard to make some good results there.
GateDrop: You’ve got the ADAC races left, have you any plans to do GPs – maybe Arnhem?
Haavisto: Not this year but maybe next year – let’s see.
GateDrop: Is that the goal, would you like to race more in the paddock and maybe do four-six GPs?
Haavisto: It would be nice if you get a good contract and maybe you get something from it. The goal is to be a professional rider and if that means you can’t ride these races then it’s better to do just the ADAC racing.
