Preview: EMX125 2023
Previewing the 1250cc European Championship is perhaps the most difficult of all the classes. In our sport, a winter break can make a world of difference. However, we are going to try anyway and look ahead to the European Championship 125cc Presented by FMF Racing. In this class we are looking for the successor of Cas Valk, the crosser from Nijverdal who gave the Netherlands this title for the first time. 90 riders have registered for the first competition, what are the tickets for 2023?
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In his first season in the EMX125, Janis Martins Reisulis made a big impression. In Lommel he managed to take victory ahead of Julius Mikula and big brother Karlis Reisulis. For us, the Latvian is the big favorite for the title, but who are the opponents? Elias Escandell suffered a serious knee injury last year, which ended the season prematurely. The rider from Ibiza wanted to switch to the EMX250 when Fantic knocked on the door. The Spaniard will take over Valk's place. His compatriot Francisco Garcia was supposed to compete in the EMX250 this year, but these plans changed at the last minute. Garcia is certainly someone who can make things very difficult for Reisulis. We also expect the same from Maximillian Werner, but the German has not yet managed to make an impression in the preseason. He will also be part of Fantic Racing led by Marco Maddii. Unfortunately, we are missing Mikula for the time being because the Czech suffered a broken leg in Harfsen without crashing. We will therefore have to miss the MJC Yamaha rider for the time being.
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After the four biggest title candidates comes a group including Kasimir Hindersson. The 16-year-old motocross rider will compete for the Dutch Motivation Motorsport and the Finn can certainly provide a surprise. His height may be a disadvantage, but the KTM rider certainly has the pure speed. We also see Maximilian Ernecker (F4E Racing Team), the Dane Mads Fredsoe (Sturm STC Racing) and Vitezslav Marek fighting for a position in the top five. This is the second season in the EMX125 for the Czech Marek, he made a short switch to the EMX85 last year to win the title there.
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Behind the established names, we are looking forward to the Italians Alessandro Gaspari, Nicola Salvini and Gennaro Utech who come over from the 85cc class. We also think of the Frenchman Mathis Valin and the Swede August Frisk who are eager for success in their last season. Frisk is guided by Steven Frossard and has therefore spent the last few months in France.
Belgium Netherlands:
The Belgians have seven drivers during the race on the Frauenfeld circuit; Akbar Lubis, Harry Seel (son of former GP rider Eddy), Brent van de Walle, Ian Ampoorter, Douwe Van Mechgelen, Maxime Lucas and Emile De Baere. From the Netherlands we see eight drivers in action; Damian Knuiman, Rizan Hartman, Jayson van Drunen, Gyan Doensen, Roan Tolsma, Mike Kennedy, Levi Schrik and Jan Klaas Kruisselbrink.
Debutants:
Various riders come over from EMX85 such as Mano Faure, Niccolo Mannini, Jonathan Frank, Freddie Bartlett, Van Drunen, Kennedy, Ampoorter, Lucas and of course Doensen. The KTM rider has already shown great things during the preseason and we expect him to become a permanent fixture in the top ten. If everything goes well, maybe in the top five or even on the podium.
Past Champions:
2010 Jordi Tixier
2011 Simone Zecchina
2012 Tim Gajser
2013 Paul's Jonass
2014 Brian Hsu
2015 Jorge Prado-Garcia
2016 Jago Geerts
2017 Brian Strubhart-Moreau
2018 Thibault Benistant
2019 Mattia Guadagnini
2020 Andrea Bonacorsi
2021 Valerio Lata
2022 Cas Valk
By: Steven van Kempen/KEMCO
Gallery: Brands & Leon van der Spank
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