After Mike Gwerder announced his plans for the 2024 season that he’ll be under the HTS KTM awning, we decided to catch up with the Swiss rider to discuss his plans for the future and more.
GateDrop: Mike, you’ve signed with HTS KTM from Hungary for the 2024 season. How did the deal all come about and you must be pleased to secure a team for the season ahead?
Gwerder: At first we was not searching for a team. Sounds weird I know but at that point I didn‘t know when I would get healthy again. In October 2023 I got an ACL surgery and the doc told me it will go 4-6 months, so I put my goal to get healthy as fast as possible.
I knew there is no chance to make a full MX2 GP year in 2024. Once I went to my friend Michael Sandner to Austria to train with him physically and then we came to talk about 2024 and then as fun we came to his Team HTS. We kept speaking about that and then I was thinking why not and I asked the Team what their plans are. Like this we came to a deal for the ADAC races and I‘m really thankful to them to make this so fast and uncomplicated ready!
GateDrop: You’ve been part of the GP paddock since the EMX125 class, but the past two years has been hard for you with injuries. What has that been like to deal with and not show your true potential?
Gwerder: Yeah it has been some hard years… it‘s hard from the mental side to because you know what you can do and I showed it a lot of time but maybe only for a half race… but like you said the past years I had injuries and because of that I haven‘t had a winter preparation, so it was hard to be physically ready for racing a 30 minute moto…
GateDrop: Everyone always talks about how fast MXGP is but MX2 is also really deep full of talent. It must be tough when not 100% fit?
Gwerder: Yep, it was tough, I can tell you! There are so many fast and talented riders and when you are not on your 100% level it‘s not possible I guess to end up in front. The speed is incredible fast, I got to know it a lot of time when I started in the front. I could ride 10-15 minutes there and then I was done… But yeah I still believe in myself, if I have a good winter without injuries, I will be there.
GateDrop: You had a good spell with the WZ KTM team, what was it like being with the team for the past 2-3 years?
Gwerder: Yeah it was a good time. I learn a lot in this 3 years. We achieved some good results and had good times. I‘m thankful for everything what they have done for me and wish them good luck for the future.
GateDrop: Did you have any MX2 GP offers for 2024?
Gwerder: Yes, I got some offers and we were speaking about it. But I needed to say it makes no sense to sign an MX2 contract when I‘ll be not fit for the first races. It‘s was a hard decision but I think it will be the best like this.
GateDrop: The main focus for 2024 will be the Swiss championship and ADAC, what are your goals for those championships?
Gwerder: I still don‘t know if I’m ready for the first races, I wasn‘t on the bike since my last race at the ADAC. If I’m able to ride all the swiss races my goal is to get Swiss champion. And for ADAC I‘ll not be able to race all the races so keep my goals race to race. For the start my goal is the top 10 and for the future I wanna come close to top five, top three.
GateDrop: Will it be tough not being a full time GP rider next year? Do you plan on racing many MX2 GP wildcards?
Gwerder: I would like to be again an MX2 rider but we did the right decision. For sure, we will do some wildcards. One of them will be the Swiss GP and for the rest as much as possible.
GateDrop: What’s the goal for beyond 2024, to secure an MX2 GP ride again in 2025?
Gwerder: My goal this year in overall is to do good results in all categories to get an MX2 ride for 2025. So, yeah now you heard it, I‘m open for 2025 to make a full MX2 GP season!
GateDrop: I believe you are still studying as well, can you tell us more about that?
Gwerder: I do an apprenticeship as a businessman and I’m now in my 4th year. I will finally finish it in the summer. I am doing my training with my racing mechanic. That means when I’m at home, I’m employed by him and when I’m driving he’s employed by me.
GateDrop: Have you any pre season plans yet – any International races?
Gwerder: I wish I could go for some. But like I said before I wasn‘t on the bike since September. So I have still a lot of work to do… I will start riding again in February so there is no chance to do some.
Interview: Andy McKinstry
Image: Mark Somay
