During the opening round of the EMX125 series at Matterley Basin, it was almost the perfect weekend for Håkon Østerhagen. However, a red flag meaning the second moto result went back a lap meant it wasn’t meant to be. But Østerhagen hasn’t had to wait too much longer for the perfect weekend and to assert his authority in the class.
The Maddii Fantic rider went 1-1 to extend his championship lead after the first two rounds. The talented Norwegian now has a twenty-three points gap heading into round three which will head to Finland. If the first two rounds are anything to go by, Østerhagen is going to be very difficult to stop and he looks to have a very bright future ahead of him.
It would be fair to say that the first round of the series didn’t really go to plan for Valerio Lata. Coming into the season he was one of the title contenders so to only finish seventh at Matterley Basin would have been a disappointment. It was much more like it from Lata at round two though as he looked much more like himself and freer on the bike.
Whilst Østerhagen proved to be just a bit too good, Lata went 2-2 and got himself into second in the championship so he can put a disappointing round one behind him. The talented Marchetti KTM rider can now focus on closing the gap to Østerhagen and if he can do that then a win might just be around the corner.
It’s been a long time coming and a very difficult few years for Kay Karssemakers after so many injuries but Maggiora will stay with him for the rest of his career. It was the Dutch talent’s first EMX125 podium as he finally starts to show us the talent and potential he has.
In the first moto, Karssemakers had an average start as he was buried in seventh after the first lap but he looked comfortable around the hard pack track and charged his way into third. In race two he was in the top five on the opening lap but made some mistakes which saw him drop back to eighth before finding his rhythm. The SKS KNMV Husqvarna rider then made some passes to come home in a solid fifth. 3-5 saw him standing on the podium and if he can stay fit he clearly has the talent to be a regular visitor to the podium as the season progresses.
Young Italian privateer, Andrea Rossi had some good rides last year but didn’t have the best of starts to the season in Matterley Basin finishing twelfth overall. He was able to put the disappointment behind him from the opening round and was much improved at Maggiora running at the sharp end.
6-4 meant he ended up fourth overall which is a big improvement from Matterley Basin and that’s the sort of results he’ll want to keep coming. Now he’s been close to the podium the next target for him will to get on the box and he has the capabilities to do just that.
One rider that clearly has talent but hasn’t necessarily been able to put it together in the EMX125 series is Scott Smulders. The BT Husqvarna rider has been knocking on the door for good results in the past but with another winter behind him he looks stronger in 2021.
In the first moto, Smulders grabbed the holeshot and briefly led which is the first real experience for him to lead at this level – he’ll want more of that. He rode a good moto and came home in a good fourth position. In the second moto he rode a steady and smooth moto to finish in sixth which is a good day for Smulders. Fifth overall and it looks like he’s starting to improve out the hard pack which will help make him a more complete rider.
One rider that exceeded expectations at Maggiora was young Spaniard, Adria Monne Viles who actually made his EMX125 debut at Matterley Basin. At the opening round he finished seventeenth overall but Maggiora was a huge step in the right direction on his RFME GasGas.
A fantastic first moto saw him fifth in fifth and he passed riders to find his way into the top five – very impressive for the second EMX125 race of his career. A bad start made things more difficult in moto two but Monne Viles came from thirteenth to ninth. 5-9 meant he ended up sixth overall on the day which is very a very good result and should be a big confidence booster – now he has the belief he can run at the sharp end.
One rider that deserves a shout out is Sacha Coenen who at fourteen years old is a great watch. The Belgian is rapid and very stylish – he certainly rides with his heart on his sleeve. He’s also still very small which hinders him and despite having podium speed crashes have been an issue. After a DNF and a crash in moto two he only ended up thirteenth but don’t let that fool you, his speed is very impressive. As he gains strength and gets more experienced he could be a rider with a very exciting future.
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Article: Andy McKinstry
Pics: Alex Piantanida & Infront Moto Racing
