Coming into the 2024 season, Roan Van de Moosdijk was coming into the season as an MXGP rookie and was eager to impress in the toughest championship in the world. However, things couldn’t have gone much worse for him. Hit with injuries which meant he left teams and time on the sidelines before the Kosak KTM stepped in to sign him up.
The Dutch talent focused on the ADAC MX Masters series to end his season but for 2025 he’ll be back racing the MXGP World Championship as he’ll be lining up at the European rounds of the series on a Kosak KTM. We caught up with Van de Moosdijk to discuss a range of topics when you can read, watch or listen to below…
GateDrop: Roan, I think overall a really good day for you. Obviously last year, a year to forget really, let’s be honest. So already much better here this weekend. You must be happy with what you showed here at Hawkstone International?
Van de Moosdijk: Yes, like you said, last year it started here with my knee. So, this year we improved a lot. I had a good winter training back with Marc de Reuver. We just need to get things on point. But I’m really happy with today, it was a consistent day. The first moto, I had a good start and I battled with the front guys a little bit. Just the pace I’m not used to because I missed riding with them for a whole year but it’s just a learning process for me. The second moto was solid, nothing special. Then the third moto, the super final, I felt good, I battled a bit with the front guys. So, it’s a good day for me.
GateDrop: How did it feel like to be battling with those guys? It’s been a year since the end of your MX2 career, really… Was it nice to battle some of those top guys again?
Van de Moosdijk: Yes, definitely. It was not easy for me to judge where I was during the off-season. Of course, there are some guys also in Sardinia but you never really know until it’s race time. But it felt good to battle with the guys that I usually also battle.
GateDrop: Just on last year, I was at Arco di Trento and you were there on the Honda. It was quite sad. It wasn’t Roan van de Moosdijk on the bike. Just how was that for you mentally to deal with? It must have been very, very difficult…
Van de Moosdijk: Really tough. I was still struggling with my knee that nobody knew. It wasn’t the real Roan van de Moosdijk on the bike, like you say. Mentally I was really down. I just told the team from Honda, I cannot continue like this because that’s not good for the team and also not good for me. So, that’s why I stopped. I just had to recover well and then try to come back this year.
GateDrop: The guys in Germany, Kosak KTM. You must appreciate what they’re doing for you… because they signed you for the ADACM I mean the end of last season it was okay. It still wasn’t fully you… So you must be happy that they’re keeping you for this year. To hopefully show what you can do…
Van de Moosdijk: Yes. I think it’s not too bad for me to have a group of people that is just for me. Because I’m the only MXGP guy And also the only ADAC MX Masters guy for the team. So, it’s fully on me. I think it’s good. We don’t have that much support but I think with me, Marc and the others around me, we can make some good results this year.
GateDrop: You mentioned Marc de Reuver. You maybe had the best days of your career, certainly some of them with him at F&H. What’s it like being back with him again?
Van de Moosdijk: Once Marc was free and there were talks that we’re going to be back together. I was really happy because he helped me a lot during the F&H period. I think he’s the best trainer for me and he can help me.
GateDrop: You’re with the German team. How does that work? Will you spend still a lot of your time in the Netherlands with Marc? Or will you be in Germany with the team?
Van de Moosdijk: No, I stay in Holland. We have a small workshop there and the team just from Germany come to the races. I stay in Holland with Mark, with Bradley, my teammate. And not so much in Germany.
GateDrop: What’s it like having Bradley Mesters as a team mate again? Obviously, he was also at F&H but he was very young and you three were together there. Are you able to help him? And help develop him?
Van de Moosdijk: I know him really well because we live close to each other, like ten minutes and we grew up together. He’s a bit younger than me but we grew up together so we have a good relationship. Of course, I’ve been a quite, let’s say, a top guy in MX2. So, I can help him. When he struggles, of course Marc is there. But I’m also a little bit there to help him so the connection is good.
GateDrop: What are the goals for the MXGP rounds that you’re going to do this year? I think at the moment it’s only the European rounds. You won’t be in Argentina…
Van de Moosdijk: I am only doing the European MXGP rounds. The goal is to become the ADAC MX Masters champion. Then with the GP’s, around the top ten, I hope to be there with some peaks during the season, let’s say.
GateDrop: You raced the ADAC last year, most of the championship. What was it like racing Max Nagl? That guy is still so fast. He’s not getting any younger. But are you looking forward to battling with him again on the Triumph?
Van de Moosdijk: Yes. I actually did a few physical trainings with him. It’s impressive what he can still do on the old days, let’s say. On practices he’s not amazing fast. But when the gate drops, he’s there. I think this year will be the same so it will be fun battling him.
GateDrop: Perfect. Thank you very much for your time and good luck for the season.
