Fresh off another strong run of results and still carrying the confidence of an ADAC MX Masters title-winning campaign, Roan van de Moosdijk finds himself in an interesting position in 2026. The Dutchman has rebuilt momentum with the Kosak KTM setup, reminded many of his speed at Grand Prix level and now even has an exciting American adventure on the horizon with two AMA Pro Motocross appearances planned this summer.
Van de Moosdijk opens up on the pressures of defending a title, the balance between comfort and ambition in his current situation and what it would take for him to return to full-time MXGP competition. He also discussed the gap between private and factory machinery, his growing confidence again at GP level and why racing in America remains a dream for many European riders.
Interview by Julian Kehr from Cross Magazin.
Roan, Friday here in Dreetz for the ADAC series. I want to speak with you about your mindset this season a little bit. Did anything change for you this year and how you approach the races compared to last year because now you are the defending champion. Is there a bit more pressure because you want to defend the title? Is there less pressure because you got the title? How do you feel about that?
Van de Moosdijk: It’s a good question because I feel like it’s a mix of a little bit of both, let’s say. I’ve done it and I’ve won the championship so that’s a little less pressure. But of course, I want to back it up and this adds also a little bit of pressure, but I have said in interviews already after Grevenbroich that I didn’t really feel any extra nervous. I basically knew all the riders from last year and I know the competition. But they always say to back it up is always more difficult than to get the title, let’s say. Nothing really changed in my mental things or whatever, but I’m just working hard like last year and that’s it.
You said often enough how happy you are with Kosak KTM, but nonetheless you got some great GP results lately. When you look at it, is there some desire for you to compete full-time in the GPs again? Let’s say what offer needs to be made for you to even consider going back to full-time GPs and going away from Kosak?
Van de Moosdijk: Like you said, Kosak really brought me back here where I am now – back up to speed, back to the results where maybe I can always improve on the results, but it’s a difficult question as well. I feel like going back into MXGP, you really have to get a salary. I think that’s the main thing as well as having a good team and a bike so you can be up front with. There are teams, let’s say, that maybe the bikes are not that amazing, but you get some salary. It’s what you prefer, but for the moment I’m happy here and let’s see what the future will bring.
When you look at your results, what do you think your bike is like compared to the factory bikes? How much is the gap?
Van de Moosdijk: Again, another good question. You keep coming with good questions. It’s hard to tell. I think it’s just way more data and way more technology at the factory teams – It’s small details. I showed again already this year, you can battle, let’s say, in the top 10, but to be there every weekend is quite hard.
GateDrop: You’re going to the US for two AMA Pro Motocross races, could you just walk me through how that came to fruition?
Van de Moosdijk: Actually, the biggest sponsor from Kosak, Lang Technik, they have a company in Chicago. That’s how we can easily ship material and stuff. Kevin, the team manager, came with this idea already last year at Bielstein that they think about going there, so I was really interested and I kept asking how the situation was. I’m really happy this comes together now and that I’m doing two AMA Pro Nationals. I think I can speak for many European guys that racing AMA is a dream. I’m really happy to fulfil that.
Would that be also maybe an option? Maybe you get a great result and some team came along and said, OK, we want you. Would that be something you would be interested in?
Van de Moosdijk: I always say that I don’t believe that American teams just look for outdoor riders. I’m not a supercross rider and I don’t want to start doing that when I’m 25 years old. I don’t think so, but you never know in Motocross. We’ll see what the future holds.
