For the 2024 season, Racestore KTM made the transition from competing in the MX2 World Championship to becoming KTM’s official EMX125 team. Led by Paolo Mencacci (team owner), the team has been focused on developing young talent, with riders Gyan Doensen, Nicolo Alvisi, and now Áron Katona making their mark in the highly competitive EMX125 series.
We caught up with Mencacci to discuss the team’s evolution, the challenges of the European championship, and what to expect from their riders in 2025.
GateDrop: Paolo, the Racestore KTM team had focused more on the MX2 World Championship until the 2024 season when it became the official EMX125 KTM team. Just how did this opportunity come around?
Mencacci: One day, Thomas Traversini, who lives near me, told me that KTM Motorsport wanted to create an official team for the 125cc class and that they were considering entrusting the role to Racestore. I was immediately happy. It was very difficult for me to compete in the MX2 World Championship before, and finishing around 20th place didn’t make much sense. Now everything is much simpler.
GateDrop: For you, was it a no-brainer to take this opportunity, or was it something you had to think about because it means you aren’t present in the World Championship anymore?
Mencacci: In my opinion, the MX2 and MXGP World Championships are for the official factory teams. Private teams struggle a lot in the World Championship, and for us, it doesn’t make sense to be there. It’s just a big expense. The European Championship is more within reach, although I don’t understand why they’ve increased it to 12 or 13 rounds. It’s unacceptable, and this championship is also becoming expensive.
GateDrop: Let’s look back at the 2024 season. Gyan Doensen had a great season but sadly missed out on both titles. How was it to work with Gyan? He is certainly a talent to watch for the future, and you helped with his development…
Mencacci: Gyan is a great guy, just like Alvisi. We helped Gyan improve a lot, and thanks to our work, he went from good results in 2023 to winning EMX races in 2024. I will really miss his father – he always helped us clean up the tent after races. That was great. All parents should do this, considering we work for their children. Unfortunately, at the last GP in Spain, Gyan lost some focus, and Zanocz took advantage of it.
GateDrop: The team signed Nicolo Alvisi for the 2024 EMX125 season—his rookie season. Obviously, he was the EMX85 champion, but what did you see in him that made you want him for 2024?
Mencacci: Our job is to develop young talents so they can become strong 125cc riders and then move up to MX2 in the future. At that moment, he was the European 85cc champion and we liked that. We also liked the fact that he lives fairly close to the team, which allows us to work together frequently.
GateDrop: How would you reflect on Alvisi’s rookie season in the class? He picked up a small injury, but in Switzerland, he was amazing!
Mencacci: Honestly, after his bad crash in Arco di Trento, I didn’t think he would return to being fast. But immediately afterwards, he had some great races, like a third place finish in Sweden and even an EMX125 overall win in Switzerland. This shows that he is both physically and mentally strong. He has received a good opportunity from KTM. In 2025, he will show his true value on the track.
GateDrop: For the 2025 season, the team has signed young talent Áron Katona in what will be his second season in the EMX125 championship. What was it about Áron that made you want to sign him? Was it a KTM decision, or do you have a big say in the riders?
Mencacci: Generally, we decide on the riders together with KTM, although the final decision is KTM’s. Áron is very young – he is only 14. In 2024, it was his first year in the EMX125 class, even though he was still young enough to race in the 85cc class. Áron was already part of the KTM system, as he was being supported by Didi Lacher.
To be honest, the first time I saw him ride in 2024, I wasn’t very impressed. You could tell that at 13, he lacked experience. But this year, he has improved a lot, and I’ve seen great progress. He is set for a big season.
GateDrop: I think Áron was based in Hungary last year and had to travel to all the races from there, which isn’t easy… Will that continue in 2025, or will he spend most of his time in Italy? I think that would be a big help, but I guess he is still in school?
Mencacci: Living in Hungary is definitely not an advantage. He will have to travel many kilometres. Since December, he and his parents have spent a lot of time with us, and together with Thomas, we’ve done a great job – both technically with the bike and in training. Unfortunately, this year there will be a lot of races, so we won’t have much time for training with the team. But whenever we have free weekends, we will definitely work together. These young riders are strong, but they should never be left alone for too long.
GateDrop: For the 2025 season, what do you expect from both Alvisi and Katona in the EMX125 class?
Mencacci: Every time I set expectations for results, it never works out well. I believe both riders have the potential to achieve great results. They are strong, they have a great bike, and KTM has provided us with good technical equipment this year. The important thing is to have a bit of luck.
GateDrop: Thomas Traversini is the team manager, but I think it’s fair to say he is even more than that, as he’s a great coach and trainer too. Just how important is his role in the team?
Mencacci: Thomas plays a crucial role in the team. Before being a great coach, he is also a great technician. Often we are able to figure out when something isn’t right with the bike. Thomas is tireless – he always believes in what we’re doing, and that’s important for keeping up the team’s optimism.
GateDrop: There has been no secret about KTM’s debt and financial struggles throughout the off-season. Has this had any impact on the team coming into the season?
Mencacci: Since I run a business that sells motorcycles, I can say that the current economic situation isn’t great, and the crisis is affecting all companies in the industry. KTM’s situation shocked everyone because no one expected a company like KTM to have financial problems.
I’ve been working with KTM for many years, and they are very good at bouncing back to the top – and they do it quickly. They will do it again now. Between December and January, some things were a bit uncertain for us, but now everything has returned to normal. That gives us peace of mind to work well.
GateDrop: Do you have any future goals for the team—perhaps stepping up to GPs again, or are you happy focusing on the EMX125 class and developing young talent?
Mencacci: Right now, I don’t know… For sure, in a couple of months, we have a meeting with KTM, and there will be some news for the next season. But it’s still too early. For now, we are fully focused on 2025.
GateDrop: Thanks for your time, and all the best!
