Storm Maymann has taken a significant step forward in the EMX125 Championship this season, building on a difficult rookie campaign to establish himself as a regular points scorer and a rider capable of running with the leading factory-backed riders.
The Danish youngster currently sits fourteenth in the championship and enjoyed his standout weekend of the season at Kegums, where he went 7-10 for seventh overall – his best EMX125 result to date. Despite limited training opportunities and the challenges that come with running a privateer effort, Maymann has continued to put himself in the mix, showing the speed to battle inside the top five before often finding himself lacking late in the motos.
With the EMX125 series heading to Sweden this weekend, Maymann will be looking to make the most of conditions he knows well, having also been leading the Swedish Championship this season. We caught up with Storm to discuss his progress, the sacrifices required to compete as a privateer, his career-best result at Kegums, the level of competition in EMX125 and his hopes of remaining in the class for 2027.
GateDrop: Storm, you are focusing on the EMX125 series this year and you’ve showed big improvements. Last year you scored 2 points in the races you contested. This year fourteenth in the championship. How would you describe your season so far?
Maymann: Yes that is true, I have stepped up this year and showed glimpses throughout the whole season. I still feel like I could have done better, but there’s been too much inconsistency late in the motos. All in all I feel happy with how my season has went so far.
GateDrop: What kind of things did you work on during the winter? I assume you had a strong preparation coming into the season and that’s why you’ve improved a lot this year?
Maymann: No not at all. We gave it everything we had and rode 16000km to be on the bike 16 times (from the middle of December to Almonte). It was a frozen winter at home and an unlucky trip to Spain at the start of the year with the weather. It is not an excuse, just bad luck with the tight budget we have and also with school at that point. It’s a mix of everything, having that rookie season in back pocket and also knowing that there are not many more EMX seasons left, if we have to do it on our own.
GateDrop: At Kegums you went 7-10 for 7th overall – your career best round of the EMX125 series – you must have been really happy with that weekend when you reflect on it?
Maymann: Yes, of course. One of the weekends where I felt super good and could push in the end of the motos and also with qualifying P4 close to the factory boys. I was also the first non-factory rider that weekend in the overall.
GateDrop: There are a lot of talented and fast riders in the EMX125 class. Just how high is the level?
Maymann: I mean it is obviously extremely high and also with all the factory supported riders, it’s quite hard for us being able to match it, but it is not impossible.
GateDrop: What would you say is the toughest thing about racing the EMX125 class?
Maymann: For me it’s the endurance and speed late in the motos. I’m up there battling in the top five at almost all rounds, I see the pace and I make the starts, I just always feel like I come up short in the end, which is due to the area/island I live only do twenty minute training sessions. We only train in Sweden between the race weekends to get the thirty-five minute motos done.
GateDrop: You have a privateer setup, just how difficult is that and especially for your parents?
Maymann: Of course, it’s hard and we have to rely on a lot of people/sponsors. I mean just in every aspect with the distance to the rounds, the budget and balancing work at the same time, (Not for me, I have finished school). There are a lot of sacrificing, but at the end of the day this is what we want to do and choose to do. We have put a lot of effort into this season and after being in the car for days before and after races it can be draining for us, but we believe something good can come our way, if we keep showing up and put the name up there in the mix.
GateDrop: Sweden is up next this weekend, it isn’t a home GP but it’s the next best thing for you. The atmosphere will be great – how much are you looking forward to that GP this weekend and what’s your expectations?
Maymann: I couldn’t be more excited. I want to go out and let the riding do the talking. I am leading the Swedish Championship, so I am very familiar with the conditions up there.
GateDrop: Have you got any plans for 2027 yet – do you have to move up to the 250cc or have you another year in the EMX125 class if you want it?
Maymann: I have another year in the EMX125 series. I already rode a 250cc this winter, but I really want to stay in the EMX125 class. There are no plans for 2027 yet and that is a problem. I try not to think too much about it, but of course it’s on my mind. We are not in a position to ride a full EMX125 season on our own next year and that is sad, because I feel good on the 125cc. I’m not super big and I’m done with school now so I can put in even more time this winter and during the season. We will see what options that hopefully could come our way for 2027 as I’m interested in anything.
