The Netherlands look set to field a strong line-up at the 2026 Motocross of Nations, with Jeffrey Herlings and Kay de Wolf set to represent their country in France, Ernee to wrap up the Motocross season. However, the big question all season has been who will take the MX2 slot for the Dutch team at Ernée.
Kay Karssemakers has put together a strong campaign in the MX2 World Championship but has suffered a few too many DNFs, many of which have been outside of his control. Cas Valk and Jens Walvoort would also have been contenders for the position, but Valk has only recently returned to riding following injury, while Walvoort is ruled out for the remainder of the season.
As a result, the Dutch team are expected to turn to a 450cc rider and drop them down to the MX2 class for the event.
One of the most logical choices appeared to be Glenn Coldenhoff, with Jeffrey Herlings himself suggesting the Factory Yamaha rider as his preferred option when asked about the Dutch team following the MXGP of Arnhem.
“If I were the team manager, I would select Kay and myself in MXGP or Open, regardless of how the classes were divided. Then I would put Glenn Coldenhoff on an official Yamaha 250. But I’m not the team manager. In terms of results? It’s difficult to say. It’s always a gamble. Will it rain? What’s going to happen? But I genuinely think that if Kay and I stay at this level and the MX2 rider brings home a good result, we can fight for a possible victory. Would it be easy? No. But it would be possible. I think we can win,” Herlings stated.
However, we understand that Dutch team manager Barry Forschelen has instead decided to select Roan van de Moosdijk for the MX2 spot on the team.
The Kosak KTM rider has enjoyed arguably his best season yet on a 450cc machine and is on the verge of securing his second consecutive ADAC MX Masters championship.
Van de Moosdijk has also shown strong pace in the MXGP World Championship this season, regularly running inside the top ten when competing against the world’s best. He further impressed when given the opportunity to race two rounds of the AMA Pro Motocross Championship in the United States.
With the Dutch team looking for a rider capable of delivering a strong result on a 250cc machine, Van de Moosdijk’s current form certainly makes him an interesting choice. With Herlings and de Wolf alongside him, the Netherlands would certainly have a line-up capable of challenging for the podium at the 2026 Motocross des Nations.
The team has yet to be officially confirmed, but it is understood that van de Moosdijk is expected to head to Ernée alongside Herlings and de Wolf as the Dutch look to put together another serious MXoN challenge.
