Lynn Valk has been one of the standout names in the Women’s Motocross World Championship in recent years, consistently proving she belongs at the sharp end of the field. The Dutch talent showed flashes of her form again in 2025, but her campaign was cut short by injury at her home Grand Prix in Arnhem. Despite the setback, Valk remains positive and focused on her recovery, while also reflecting on the progress she has made both physically and mentally this season.
We caught up with Valk as she opens up about her injury and rehabilitation, her thoughts on the WMX calendar, life alongside her brother Cas Valk in MX2, and her ultimate dream of one day lifting the WMX World Championship title.
GateDrop: Lynn, you sadly got injured at your home GP in Arnhem. How’s the recovery coming along?
Valk: It’s going really well so far. I am very lucky with the people behind me as I have the best products to get better very soon. After 19 days I went to my boyfriend who is working as personal trainer at the gym, and went to see a specialist who have dealt with this similar injury multiple times before – together we did a lot of exercises which I could do already really well.
The day after I went to see the physiotherapist from team NL and together with these people we have made a plan for the best possible rehabilitation. It will definitely take a while but I have not much pain at the moment so hopefully I can continue to work like this.
GateDrop: How would you sum up your 2025 season before the injury?
Valk: It was up and down, it could have been better yes, but I have definitely proved this year that I was fighting for the championship. I have made a step towards the right direction from last year, I felt a lot fitter physically but also mentally. So that’s definitely something good to look back on. Although the season didn’t end the best way. I am definitely looking back on Arnhem my time practice with a very good feeling.
GateDrop: There was a massive gap in the WMX calendar between Germany and Arnhem. What was that like? I’m sure you’d prefer less of a gap!
Valk: Yes, it was way too long this break but unfortunately us WMX girls have to deal with this… I just dealt with it, took a few weeks were I was riding less but more training physically and then started riding again a lot on the bike. I felt ready coming in to Arnhem. But it also felt like it was kind of a new season as we were out for that long (laughs).
GateDrop: You were with the Van Venrooy KTM team this year, how was it all going with the new team?
Valk: Yes felt really good! I mean it was the teams first year with KTM, but it was the same people as before and we have known them a long time. It’s close to our home so it’s definitely easy to communicate and work together.
GateDrop: You’ve rode for quite a lot of teams, what team would you say you were the happiest and why?
Valk: (laughs) With all the teams I have a really good understanding, Van Venrooy are great people and also the mechanics I have known from before so that makes it nice to be working together. Also Schmicker was nice and they definitely helped me a lot, we should have continued but unfortunately due to what happened with Jef it ended a different way.
I think with Maddi I have learned very very much, the Italian tracks, living there with a different culture but mostly Corrado and Marco their passion for motocross is amazing. For the four seasons I have rode for JK Racing and still I can call them family, when I started in WMX they helped me. Together we achieved my best result in the championship and I really enjoyed working with them.
GateDrop: Can you walk us through what a typical training week looks like for you?
Valk: At this exact moment not so much (laughs). When I have no races I usually ride Wednesday and Saturday and sometimes also on Tuesday. On the other days I ride the bicycle, and also gym quite a lot.
GateDrop: How different is your preparation compared to riders in the MX2/MXGP classes? I guess you’d know because you have Cas as a reference…
Valk: Yes it is different but also per person, it’s different. Cas rides a lot more on the bike than me. I don’t ride on the bike as much as some other people just because I prefer that. On some moments/weeks yes I ride a lot but I just train more off the bike. For me at some point you are on a level where you can lose more then gain. I prefer to stay hungry when I ride rather when it is just becoming a habit.
GateDrop: Do you feel the WMX series gets enough rounds and attention compared to the men’s classes?
Valk: No, absolutely not. Us as the Woman’s World Championship, we get six rounds where two of them are far away. So for some riders it’s only 4 four rounds. Most of the girls are privateers so it’s not like the boys where all the teams will pay to go there but we have to do it ourselves. How can you call it a championship if you have six races? When you have one bad result it’s already difficult to win those points back.
When looking at the amount at the riders, most of the races the girls have a fuller gate than MX2 or the MXGP class. So, yes it’s a shame that we get so less attention.
GateDrop: What would the perfect WMX calendar look like for Lynn Valk?
Valk: Around eight to ten races I think would be a lot better. Like the boys for example they have Riola Sardo and then Arco di Trento. So like this you can travel there and then stay there instead of going back and forth or have one race and four weeks later another race.
GateDrop: Growing up did you look to any WMX riders – who did you look up to the most and why?
Valk: Yes, definitely. I know Larissa Papenmeier very good, I have known her since I was riding the 65cc, she has so much experience and is just a very nice person. Also Nancy (van de Ven), Kiara (Fontanesi) and Courtney (Duncan). At first I watched them on television and now I can say that I raced against them (laughs).
GateDrop: What’s it like having a brother (Cas) racing in the MX2 World Championship – do you motivate each other?
Valk: As much as we can, yes. I mean Cas is still my little brother (laughs), but riding wise he’s further than me which is a good thing. So, yes we do train together as much as possible and help each other out.
GateDrop: Do you share training sessions or riding tips with Cas?
Valk: Yes. I think Cas helps me more than I can help him riding wise. But always when we see something we help each other. I help him more in different ways, like fixing new tires on his van or getting an oil change, he helps me on track. On all different aspects we help each other.
GateDrop: How proud are you of what Cas has been able to achieve so far?
Valk: I’m very proud of him. He is very talented and I know he can achieve a lot more when everything falls into place. Even though in Arnhem he was the first person who was with me when I crashed, and then seeing him with tears in his eyes, that definitely does something with me and shows how close we actually are.
GateDrop: The level of WMX has really stepped up in recent years – how do you see the progression of women’s motocross?
Valk: Oh yes. I think the level is the highest as it’s ever been. I mean you can finish sixth and win the next race. It is great to see the level and riders increasing.
GateDrop: You are young but Lotte van Drunen and Daniela Guillen are even younger, you must have a lot of respect for them?
Valk: For sure. Its great to race against them and the respect is there for sure but that also applies to all the other girls out there, woman supporting women, right?! It is nice to see so many girls from different countries racing the highest level of motocross.
GateDrop: Kiara Fontanesi, two kids but she has been awesome this year, I am sure you also respect her a lot as well?
Valk: I definitely do, yes. I have a lot of respect for Kiara, she’s a mother with two kids and then racing at this level is amazing. As I am injured now I’m definitely rooting for her.
GateDrop: What more do you think needs to be done to give WMX the recognition it deserves?
Valk: More media opportunities and not put us out on track first because most of the times we are before the EMX. I think they forget that we are actually a World championship and not European. We definitely also need more races.
GateDrop: Do you feel there are enough opportunities for women to make a career in motocross?
Valk: No, it should be a lot better. It’s a shame the teams are always only looking for the boys. Why not have a girl on the team? I think it’s the best for everyone and for a team a girls season costs way less money than the boys!
GateDrop: Outside of racing, how do you like to spend your free time?
Valk: I like to spend time with the people close to me. I’m very lucky that I met someone who I can share a passion with and support me in everything. He helps me with my rehabilitation and I’m sure together we will be more fit than before. Eight now I spend my weekends on the track watching him ride (laughs). We like to cycle a lot and play dice games.
GateDrop: What’s the biggest lesson motocross has taught you in life so far?
Valk: Never give up on your dreams and always keep working hard.
GateDrop: We’ve seen a few girls race rounds of the MX2 World Championship before. Is that something you’d be interested in doing in the future?
Valk: At the moment, not really no. I mean never say never. When the opportunity is there we can always see. But it’s not something I am planning.
GateDrop: Where do you see yourself in five years within the sport?
Valk: I hope that I am able to win a World Championship one day and I am working really hard for that. But in this sport an accident can happen anytime anywhere, that’s something I’ve learned again this year. So, staying healthy and working hard is very important and let’s keep enjoying!
GateDrop: What would it mean to you personally to win a WMX World Championship title in the future if you manage to achieve that?
Valk: It would mean a lot. I mean together with all the people around me we continue to grow, so let’s see what the future brings.
