What a weekend it was for Croatian talent, Roko Ivandić racing the EMX65 championship at the old school and hard pack track of Loket. The youngster was in fine form winning both moto’s to clinch the title in style and help put Croatia on the map in the Motocross world.
We caught up with Ivandić after his impressive title…
GateDrop: Roko, EMX65 champion, how does it feel just a day later?
Ivandić: The preparation for the race was to ride it like any other race, to the best of my ability and to get me where I belong. It is great that it is the place of the European champion. I feel great.
GateDrop: Can you talk me through both of your moto’s – you nailed the starts!
Ivandić: The first race, I started well from the gate, I made a good gap at the beginning of the race, Luca Nierliyco started to catch me in the middle of the race, so I fought off his attack and increased the pace. I finished 5.7 secs ahead of him and well ahead of the other riders. In the second race I started well again and drove safely because there was no need to fight.
GateDrop: Just how did the last couple of laps of race two feel knowing you were nearly there and then crossing the finishing line? It must have felt amazing…
Ivandić: I felt amazing and relaxed.
GateDrop: You were number #243, is that because you look up to Tim Gajser and if so, why?
Ivandić: I normally have the number #643, these are the numbers from my date of birth. But in the European races in the SW zone I have to have a number from 200 to 399 and it is easiest to change one number. I’ve known Tim Gajser since I was little and I asked him if I could put 2 in front and wear his number in European races… he said I could.
GateDrop: Do you look up to any other riders and if so who and why?
Ivandić: My role models are Tim Gajser and Dangerboy Deegan.
GateDrop: How did you find the Loket track and racing on the same weekend as the best riders in the world?
Ivandić: The track is difficult and bumpy, but it’s nice to see your role models and ride with them on the same track and talk to them.
GateDrop: The week before you raced the Junior World Championship, how was that event? Do you prefer hard pack over sand?
Ivandić: The track in Holland was difficult because of a lot of rain, but I liked it. In the free practice and in the qualifying practice, I had the second time in my group, I went 4th on the ramp. Until the last lap race 1, I was riding in 3rd or 4th place when Luca Nierychlo fell in front of me and as I was close I crashed into him. While we untangled and raised the bikes, so many riders passed us that I finished 10th. In the second race I could not catch the rhythm and I fell three times, and from 31st place I came to 21st place. I love sand but I grew up on hard pack tracks and I have more experience on them.
GateDrop: Coming from Croatia, I don’t remember to many top riders coming from there, what is the sport like there and you must feel proud to help get your country in the MX map…
Ivandić: The most decorated rider from Croatia is Nenad Šipek. Motocross in Croatia is no longer at a high level due to the small number of riders and the small number of tracks on which to train. That’s why I’ve been riding the Italian National Championship for 3 years now, but I’m preparing and training only in Croatia. I am proud that the Croatian flag was on the first step and that everyone heard the Croatian national anthem.
GateDrop: What’s the plans for the rest of the season?
Ivandić: In September the finals of the Italian National Championship begin where I am the leader in the Cadeti 65 class and I have a few more races of the Croatian Championship that I intend to race.
GateDrop: What’s your plans for 2025 – time to move up to the 85cc?
Ivandić: The plans for 2025 are to move to the MX85 class.
GateDrop: What’s the big dream for the future?
Ivandić: A big dream is to be world champion in MX2 and MXGP.
