It has just been announced that Max Wener has a new opportunity for the 2025 season after inking a deal with the Gabriel SS24 KTM team who will be running the official Factory KTM Junior EMX250 team. The young German has showed a lot of promise in what is only his rookie season in the class as he sits seventh in the championship standings – the second best placed rookie.
During the off season he’ll work closely with his new team manager, Shaun Simpson who certainly knows a thing or two about the sport and Joel Smets will be his new trainer. It could be exactly just what Werner needs to go up to the next level and be right at the very front of the EMX250 category.
We caught up with Werner to discuss his opportunity for 2025 and more.
GateDrop: Max, it has just been confirmed you’ve signed with Gabriel SS24 KTM who will become the Factory KTM Junior EMX250 team in 2025. First of all, can you tell me how you feel to secure such a good ride?
Werner: I still can’t believe it, I am so glad I got that opportunity. I’m still speechless about it all and it is truly a dream come true.
GateDrop: How did the deal all come around with the team?
Werner: I was really lucky to have met Tom (my manager, although he doesn’t like to be called as that). He did everything for me and just left me to focus on riding and training. He knows the right people in the paddock and got the deal done, but I also showed good potential this year in some races so that helped.
GateDrop: In terms of winter prep, the location probably won’t change too much as I imagine you’ll do a lot in Belgium and that is where you were based with JM Honda so that is quite good, does Belgium feel like home yet?
Werner: Yeah, the winter prep locations this year will probably be Lommel, Germany (Grevenbroich), and Sardinia or Spain. But yeah, it already feels a bit like home.
GateDrop: Shaun Simpson has done a lot in the sport and he’ll be your new team manager but he’ll be more than that as I am sure he’ll be able to help a lot. What has Shaun been like so far and are you looking forward to working with him throughout the winter and 2025?
Werner: He’s a really experienced rider, and I am 100% sure he can help me a lot with advice and guidance so I can put it all together in 2025.
GateDrop: This year Cas Valk worked with Joel Smets and we know how good he is. You must also be looking forward to working with him? It’ll be a lot of hard work!
Werner: Yeah, I am looking forward to working in that program with him, but I always say hard work will pay off, so it’s important to work hard to get the results I want.
GateDrop: This was your rookie season in the EMX250 series and with one round to go you are sitting seventh in the championship standings, you must be happy with that as a rookie?
Werner: Yeah, seventh is not bad, but I had too many DNF’s this year, so it could have been better. However, I showed good speed and strong starts, and now the rest will come.
GateDrop: KTM is a bike you know well as you’ve raced with one before signing with Fantic, are you looking forward to getting back in orange?
Werner: When I started in the 50cc class, I was racing with the orange weapon, so I’m looking forward to jumping back on the orange bike.
GateDrop: Your manager, Tom Sidell has been having me on all year – he even tried to let on you were going to quit in 2025! I never really believed him though (laughs). He seems to be a good friend and agent, what is it like having him in your corner?
Werner: Yeah, Tom is a good guy. He came into my life when other people stopped believing in me, especially when I was really at my lowest. He built me back up and also my confidence again. He’s actually one of the most important people to have in my corner. It’s also new for Tom to help a rider in this way, but I believe we can grow together and prove people wrong.
GateDrop: When you look at the German MXoN team it is just wow! I am sure you are motivated to work your way into the team in the future and try to follow in their footsteps?
Werner: Absolutely, it’s my dream to race for my country in the MXoN in the future, and I am really looking forward to building my way up to hopefully getting this opportunity soon.
