Raising one professional motocross rider is already a huge challenge, but guiding two sons to the very top of the sport is something extraordinary. The Reisulis family from Latvia has done just that, with Karlis now a factory Yamaha rider in MX2 and his younger brother Janis already an EMX125 and EMX250 champion, set to move into the MX2 World Championship next season. We caught up with their father, Kaspars to hear about the early years, the sacrifices made, and the pride he feels watching his boys represent Latvia on the world stage.
GateDrop: How did Karlis and Janis first get into motocross? Was it something they pushed for, or did you encourage them?
Reisulis: From childhood I was fascinated by technical things. But since I grew up without a father, I didn’t have anyone who could help me get involved in this wonderful thing called motocross. Karlis learned to ride a bicycle very quickly – he was only three years old. He loved riding over all kinds of obstacles and kept doing it faster and faster. I felt that speed really attracted him, so shortly before his fifth birthday I bought him a used 50cc motorcycle. That’s how it all started. Janis had no other option because he always had to come along to the races and watch. At that time he was two years old. After one of the seasons, he got Karlis’ motorcycle and could start learning to ride himself. He was four years old then.
GateDrop: Did you have a motocross background yourself, or was it completely new to you as a family?
Reisulis: As I mentioned, no one in our family had ever been involved in it. It was something completely new. The boys were learning to become riders, and I was learning to become a motocross dad.
GateDrop: What were the early years like – travelling to local races, supporting both boys, and balancing everything as a family?
Reisulis: The first two years were easier because only Karlis was racing, and I only had to take care of one rider and one bike. At first, my wife didn’t often come with us to the races because she thought of it as my passion. Slowly I got her involved in the process as well. Later, when Janis also started racing, then the whole family had to be involved because two riders needed looking after. I remember in 2013 Karlis and I entered 35 races in one season. That was crazy from my side, but Karlis just wanted to ride and ride. Of course, that also started to hit the family budget. Thanks to my wife for her support and understanding, because the family also had to sacrifice for it.
GateDrop: Has it been difficult to manage when both Karlis and Janis were racing in different classes at the same time?
Reisulis: Yes, it’s not easy. In between motos you have to get everything ready quickly because you want to see both of them ride, but if they’re each in different classes then there’s less time. At first, it was also difficult for me when they rode in the same class. Karlis was fighting for the top three, while Janis had just started racing. At the end of a race, I didn’t even know what position Janis was in or how he had done. That was painful. Later I learned how to follow both. Then it became difficult again when they started battling against each other in races – it tore my heart apart. Now I’m slowly getting used to it.
GateDrop: Obviously at the start it’s important they have fun, but do you remember a moment when you thought they had what it takes to make it in the sport in the future?
Reisulis: Yes, at first it was just to keep them busy and interested. When Karlis started riding a 65cc bike, I felt he had talent. Everything came naturally and easily to him. Then I thought we should dedicate more time to it and go to the Netherlands, because that was the motocross mecca for young riders. I quit my job and started dedicating all my time to the boys. We travelled a lot and trained. Then a supporter from the Netherlands, Willem Hamstra, appeared – he helped us a lot and still does to this day.
GateDrop: Karlis is now a factory Yamaha rider in MX2 – how big of a milestone was that for the family? I guess growing up it is always a dream to become a factory rider…
Reisulis: A big turning point for the family was already when Karlis signed with Yamaha and started racing for the MJC team. Right away it was easier, because good bikes and logistics were provided. Of course, now Karlis’ dream has come true, because racing in the MX2 World Championship with a factory team is amazing. Not many riders get that chance. Thanks to Yamaha for believing in him and supporting him. When we first started in motocross, we never dreamed about this – I didn’t believe it was possible to make it this far from a small village in Latvia.
GateDrop: Janis has already won both EMX125 and EMX250 titles – how proud were you seeing him achieve that at such a young age?
Reisulis: I am very proud because Janis’ work ethic is incredible. His passion for this sport is phenomenal. The way he worked after a serious injury was something special. I am also very proud of Karlis – he is like an icebreaker for Janis. We test everything with Karlis, and Janis can then follow the right path. These achievements are also thanks to their coach, Roberts Justs, who has been with us since 2016 and thinks every day about how to improve.
GateDrop: Motocross is a demanding sport for families – what sacrifices have you had to make to support their careers?
Reisulis: The biggest sacrifice is time, because I can’t give as much as I’d like to the rest of my family – I also have three other children. As I mentioned, I quit my job to dedicate time to motocross. And of course, like for everyone, huge amounts of money are spent to get the boys to where they are now. But I don’t regret it.
GateDrop: How difficult was it to deal with injuries, setbacks, or times when results didn’t go as planned?
Reisulis: Yes, dealing with injuries is mentally harder than physically – both for the riders and for the parents. The most serious injuries have been Janis’. The first big one was in 2019 when he suffered a severe concussion. We even considered stopping motocross then. But now Janis is where he is. We’ve been lucky that their mother is a doctor – that really helps with managing the boys’ health issues. It’s also tough when there are small injuries that stop them from riding at 100%. That can break you mentally because the results aren’t what you expect. But then the whole family comes together to help deal with it.
GateDrop: Financially and logistically, how challenging was it in the early days to give them both opportunities?
Reisulis: Here we have to give a big thanks to the family of Roberts Justs, especially his father Ilmārs. When Janis started on the 65cc bike, Ilmārs told me to focus on Karlis and provide him with everything he needed, and that he would help with Janis. That really helped us. Also to Willem Hamstra. At the beginning, big support also came from Tomass Cīrulis and Balticmotoparts, because it’s so important to have people who believe in you when you’re still at the bottom.
GateDrop: What are Karlis and Janis like away from the track? Do they switch off from motocross at home?
Reisulis: On the way home from training, motocross ends for them – they don’t talk about it. They are very different. Karlis likes being around people and is outgoing. Janis prefers being alone – he’s more reserved. But they never argue with each other. If someone does something unfair to one of them on the track, you can be sure the other brother won’t let it go and will get revenge for him.
GateDrop: How similar or different are they in terms of personality and approach to racing?
Reisulis: As I said, they are very different. But in races they both only want one thing – to win. That’s what they share.
GateDrop: Do you see one of them as more naturally talented and the other as more hard-working, or is it balanced?
Reisulis: As I said earlier, Karlis has natural talent and bike feeling. His riding style and position on the bike are special. Janis has achieved more through hard work. He’s also been lucky to always have Karlis next to him in training to learn from. Janis’ strength is mental – nothing can shake him. Sometimes I joke that if you could combine them into one rider, Herlings would be carrying water for him.
GateDrop: In Sweden you had another Reisulis racing as their younger brother competed in the BLU CRU class. That must have been stressful (laughs)?
Reisulis: With him it’s much easier because I’ve already left all the stress with the older boys. I feel bad that I can’t dedicate as much time to him as to the others. But slowly that is changing, because Yamaha is taking more care of Karlis and Janis, which means I have more time for Augusts.
GateDrop: What are your hopes for his future in the sport?
Reisulis: I think if we can dedicate more time to him, the results will come. He also trains in the Just brothers’ system, so he has a solid foundation – we just need to work on developing speed.
GateDrop: Janis will race the MX2 World Championship next year, what do you think that’ll be like for you having to watch both in the same class and at times probably battling against each other?
Reisulis: Yes, it won’t be easy for me, because it’s hard to watch them fight each other. But for them it will actually be easier, because they complement each other.
GateDrop: Do you think having each other as brothers in the same paddock helps push them to the next level?
Reisulis: I think the key to their success is that they always push each other forward in training. The training process is much more productive that way. You don’t need to look far for examples – the Coenen brothers, the Lawrence brothers. Training together brings results.
GateDrop: What advice would you give to other parents who have young kids dreaming of a motocross career?
Reisulis: The main thing I’d like to say is that parents should be patient, because every child is different. And also, believe in your children and don’t blame them when they fail.
GateDrop: Before Pauls Jonass it had been a while but now there’s more and more talent coming from Latvia. You must be proud of both Janis and Karlis who can help put Latvia on the motocross map?
Reisulis: Yes, Pauls inspired many and showed that with hard work you can achieve a lot. Now that the Justs brothers have created their own motocross academy, more and more young riders are emerging in Latvia who are ready to fight for top positions in Europe and the world. It’s years of hard work. The first fruits are the Reisulis brothers – and there will be more. I am truly proud that both my sons have made it onto the Latvian team for the Motocross of Nations, and together with Pauls they will carry the Latvian flag.
