Pelle Gundersen continues to take impressive strides as he adapts to life in the MX2 World Championship, and his performance at the opening round of the Dutch Masters at Heerde underlined that progress. The young Norwegian showed strong speed in the opening moto, running up front with more established names and proving he has the pace to compete at a high level, even if physical demands and a setback in race two limited his overall result.
We caught up with Gundersen as he reflects on his encouraging speed in Heerde, the challenges of stepping up to MX2 full-time, and how he is adjusting to the intensity of Grand Prix racing. He also discusses his decision to move on from EMX250, the valuable experience he gained last season, and how key moments – including a breakthrough ride at Lommel – confirmed he belongs in the class. Along the way, he opens up about life racing out of Norway, the influence of his father Kenneth, and his ambitions across MX2, the Swedish Championship and beyond.
GateDrop: Pelle, we are here at the first Dutch Masters. I mean that first race, really really good, you were second there for a long time. I thought at one stage you were going to be able to stay there but obviously a couple of very good riders got past you. You must have still been happy with your pace and your riding in the first one?
Gundersen: Of course the first moto was really good. I am happy that finally I could get a good start. We made some small changes this week and it helped with the start. Also, in the second moto just failed a little bit after the gate. The speed was good in first moto but I stiffed up a little bit, stiff arms, arm pump but it was still good.
GateDrop: I mean did you feel comfortable riding along with Kay and Cas, they have a lot more experience than you. Did you feel comfortable riding with them and battling with them?
Gundersen: Of course it was good to finally be up there and race with them. For my self-confidence to be able to ride with them, it’s good.
GateDrop: In the second moto I think you had a big crash, firstly are you okay?
Gundersen: Yeah, in the second moto I was bad out of the gate but was up to around eighth or but then I twisted my ankle.
GateDrop: Did you crash?
Gundersen: No, I never crashed. I just twisted the ankle and it was a struggle to finish but happy to still finish in tenth. I’ll be alright for Riola this weekend.
GateDrop: This track in Heerde, have you ever raced here before and how did you find it? It was so rough!
Gundersen: I’ve never raced here but I’ve ridden here a lot for training. I liked it, but it was much harder than usual. With all of the jumps they made, it was a good layout but just sketchy. It was good prep for the GP’s. I would say it’s pretty different from tracks in Norway. In Norway it’s either full hardpack or full sand so it’s a bit different but I like these kind of tracks.
GateDrop: Last year you started in the EMX250 class but you decided to make the jump up MX2, what were the reasons for that?
Gundersen: First of all it was a struggle that I had a small injury last year and struggled to come back from that. I just decided to try out the MX2 World Championship and really enjoyed that so that made the decision to switch to MX2 this year.
GateDrop: Was it an easy decision to stay in MX2 again or did you have to sort it out with sponsors and things like that?
Gundersen: No, really it was a pretty easy decision after the MX2 GP rounds that I did last year.
GateDrop: How are you finding racing with the best riders in the world? I mean some people say oh there’s only 25 riders etc etc, but the level still seems very very high.
Gundersen: Yeah, in the top 20 the level is high and with all of the riding during the weekend – it’s much more riding and you feel that on the body when the last moto comes on Sunday. It’s really good to get all of that riding and experience.
GateDrop: Are you getting used to it being in the MX2 class? I’m not sure how many GPs you’ve done now, it must be seven or eight or something like that?
Gundersen: Yeah, it’s something like that but I’m starting to get used to it and I’m happy with my decision to race in MX2.
GateDrop: You were very good at Lommel last year, I think you were battling for top 15 did that give you confidence that you belong in the class?
Gundersen: Yeah, that was like the main moto when I was riding almost all of it in the top ten. Then unfortunately I fell with two or three laps to go. That made me like 100% sure that I wanted to go MX2 for the following year.
GateDrop: I mean where are you based? Are you still staying in Norway?
Gundersen: Yeah, I live in Norway. I go to school in Norway.
GateDrop: It’s a long way to travel just for a Dutch Masters, it shows how dedicated you are to the sport.
Gundersen: Yeah but also now we have the we have camper here so it means we can fly. We’ve been on the road with the GP’s so it was perfect to just stay here to do this Dutch Masters before we go to Riola – it was good prep for that.
GateDrop: You got to race the MXoN last year in Ironman, that was the first time you raced in America and the first time racing the MXoN. What was that experience like?
Gundersen: It was a crazy experience with the team and racing the event with both of the Hakon’s (Osterhagen and Fredriksen). It was amazing, the track and everything was just crazy.
GateDrop: Your Dad (Kenneth) is a former GP rider, I actually remember your dad racing I’ve seen him in the early 2000s. What’s it like having him in your corner, he’s been there and done it so I’m sure it’s helpful…
Gundersen: It’s helped a lot, he’s been through it all and he helps me every day with everything. It’s really good to have him help me.
GateDrop: In Norway there’s a lot of young talents coming up, there were a few in the 85 and the 125 class, obviously you’ve got yourself Kevin, the Hakon’s and Cornelius. It’s good to see a lot of riders coming from Norway now, are you are you proud to see that?
Gundersen: For sure, we have a new generation coming up now. We had one guy here today, Iver Emilsen who won the first moto today in the 85cc class. We have Haakon Ronning doing really good on the 85cc as well. It will be great to see them race EMX this year and hopefully they can have a bright future.
GateDrop: For the rest of the GP’s, are you going to do the rest of the MX2 GPs in Europe or is it still up in the air for a few?
Gundersen: I think that is the plan – we will do all of the MX2 GP’s in Europe.
GateDrop: Have you decided yet if you’re going to do the full Dutch Masters or just wait and see in that one?
Gundersen: No, this is the only Dutch Masters round I will do because I have to do the Swedish Championship which is also a nice series.
GateDrop: When does the Swedish Championship start and what are your goals for that probably to try and win the title?
Gundersen: For sure, we will try to win the title and it starts in Saxtorp during the first and second of May so that is after the GP in Arco.
