Ever heard the saying, you’re only as good as your last performance? Even at the tender age of 17 Bradley Mesters is very aware of its implications. However, with a strong result in Lommel and his fourth podium in ADAC MX Youngster Cup last weekend in Gaildorf, the Kosak KTM rider is definitely on the up. We sat down with Bradley before the eighth EMX250 round in Sweden this weekend and his MX2 wildcard debut at home in Arnhem the week after. Words: Tom Jacobs
Few countries, except France, have produced more FIM MX word titles than the Netherlands during the last 15 years. Needless to say that even a national youth title, of which Mesters won four, and the distinction of Dutch youth rider of the year (2015) carry some weight. Yet all of these distinctions matter very little once young riders have moved up to big bikes. Bradley grew up in a motocross family, his uncle is multiple German champ and former GP rider Marcel van Drunen.
How do you feel about the Swedish EMX250 round this weekend in Uddevalla?
Bradley Mesters: “I know the setting looks cool but I will be discovering the Uddevalla track because I never raced there. The funny thing is that this is still my first ever full season of EMX250 and I only did three EMX125 rounds so there are some places left on the GP calendar for me to discover.”
It was clear that your P3 in the first moto in Lommel meant a lot to everyone in your corner. How do you look back on the Belgian EMX250 round?
Mesters: “It was an absolutely amazing experience. Especially with so many fans around the track. And a lot of people who know me personally because Lommel is so close to my hometown, Waalre in Holland. During the last few laps of that first moto I even picked up on fans shouting my name although you’re focused on the racing! You can feel you’re about to do something special which creates a bit of a additional pressure, but that’s just something you have to learn how to deal with. I wanted to get the overall podium so it was a little bit disappointing to lose out on that come Sunday, but I had to recover after a bad start and that took its toll.”
You started the season well with good results in the Internazionali d’Italia and a top five at the Hawkstone Park International. Did you surprise yourself with that top five at the first EMX250 round in Arroyomolinos?
Mesters: “A little bit perhaps. I had a great off-season and like you said the pre-season races went very well too. I felt strong and my bike worked great so in that sense it was not a shock. But Intu Xanadu was not an easy track for me so it was fantastic to start with a top five there. To make the top five was my goal for this season and nothing is more motivating than crossing off these goals once you have reached them! So all was going well. Unfortunately I dislocated my shoulder and suffered a concussion at the second ADAC MX Youngster Cup race in Dreetz. So I had to battle some setbacks again, it took a lot of hard work to get back to my best level! That’s what made Lommel so satisfying as well.”
You had to deal with a lot of injuries the last few seasons.
Mesters: “Last year I rode my very first EMX250 race in Sardinia, where I finished 7th in one moto. That was very encouraging, but after that I injured my back and was sidelined for most of the year. I really had to get going from zero again. Everyone forgets you quickly when you’re not there. That’s just how it is. To show people what I’m capable of has been my main motivation for 2024.”
It seems there are 15, 16 riders in EMX250 who can all challenge for a top five and with a bit of luck they can make the podium, that makes the racing exciting but very unpredictable. Do you agree?
Mesters: “Yes, that’s fair to say. One moto a rider could be first or second and in the other he would be 10th. Maybe some of that is down to the one moto per day format, with one in the afternoon and the other one right before noon. And of course we’re talking about young and gung-ho riders who’re prone to making mistakes.”
Do you have a preference to racing earlier in the day or in the afternoon?
Mesters: “In general I feel I’m performing better in the second moto. I’m not really sure why, but I would prefer to have both motos on the same day, like they have in GPs. I also feel that the overall results in EMX250 would be slightly different.”
You’re still young for EMX250, you actually have the same age as the frontrunners in EMX125. And there’s no better substitute for getting your name out than winning a title. Did you ever consider to drop down and chase the 125cc title?
Mesters: “I was only 13 when I started riding on a 125 and due to some team and family issues I moved to 250s one year later. Admittedly I was way too young to race on a 250, but we made that transition and dropping down never entered the picture. Already this season I showed I have top-5 speed in the EMX250 class and I prefer to look forward.”
In ten days you’ll be riding at the Dutch GP in Arnhem. What’s your take on your MX2 debut?
Mesters: “For me it’s just about a fun experience with a lot of fan support. To do my first Grand Prix at 17 is a cool idea and the opportunity is there. We have no EMX250 round that weekend so why not get some experience at the highest level? I have some goals in mind but there’s no pressure from the team or people around me. Those objectives are purely my own.”
Some EMX250 wildcard riders have really grabbed the limelight in their first GP, especially at home. It seems you’re making a conscious effort not have people get carried away too much by expectations, even when the track will suit you. Do you agree?
Mesters: “Of course, things come a bit easier for me on a sand track because that’s what I grew up with. But I think I want to manage the situation as good as I can. If I come up short of the goal I announced for my first GP there will be more disappointment rather than excitement for the future. So yeah, I’ll be giving it 100% and we’ll see where that will bring me.”
Many of the leading EMX250 riders are on factory supported teams with bikes that are similar to the ones in MX2. Is it a disadvantage to be on private team in that respect?
Mesters: “No, I don’t think so. We choose to take care of some the bike preparation like suspension and engine tuning ourselves. This way we’re involved directly and it works out great. I’m very happy with both the suspension and the power of the bike. I don’t think my bike is any less than what my competitors are using. It’s cool of my team to allow his freedom and Kosak KTM is very supportive in any way they can.”
How does your daily life look like, do you study or are you a fulltime dedicated to the sport?
Mesters: “I finished secondary school at a LOOT school, these are schools with a special license to guide young elite athletes. It really gives me peace of mind to focus just on motocross. To train before and after school, to travel to international races and training camps, all of that is really hard to combine with education. I also set out to commit myself 100% to become the best possible rider because that’s an opportunity you only get once in life.”
You’re currently second in the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, the German MX2 series, behind Nico Greutmann. It’s a very international series and you’ve been riding there quite a lot, winning the 85cc title for F&H Racing in 2020. How does the championship compare to EMX250?
Mesters: “There are definitely fast riders in Germany. Guys who excel on those typical hard pack old school tracks for example. Riders that are actually not that well known and who’re not quite up there in EMX250. I feel that I’m competitive in both series, but sometimes it’s a bit rough to see who’s ahead of me in Germany! Although I feel that’s down to the nature of these tracks. Some are pure hard pack and not as technical or wide as what we get to ride in EMX250. That makes it harder to set yourself apart. Still this season I’ve been making a lot of headway on hard pack as well.”
At F&H Racing you worked with Marc de Reuver as a coach how was that?
Mesters: “It’s been super valuable to work with Marc because he has so much experience competing at the highest level. I learned a lot of little things, on and off the bike, from him that he was able to pass on because he’s been there and done that whereas other coaches before him did not have that same kind of experience at the highest level. It’s difficult to point to one precise thing, but just being around elite riders has been awesome. When I was at F&H Racing guys like Roan Van De Moosdijk and Mathys Boisrame regularly made the podium in MX2 so that was very cool.”
You’ve been training a lot with Van De Moosdijk, even after your time at F&H racing, right?
Mesters: “Yes, it’s very helpful if you get to ride with someone like him. He’s also a good friend so I’m happy he joined us at Kosak KTM. This winter I trained a lot together with Glenn Coldenhoff and Kevin Strijbos. There are always new things to discover. And as long as someone else is faster than you there’s something to learn! Currently I’m working with Davy Pootjes, who has a lot of experience. He went through a lot so it’s great to have him in my corner and explain what works and what doesn’t.”
Anything you can say about your plans for 2025?
Mesters: “I will definitely stay in EMX250. As I mentioned before, I made some jumps in classes prematurely before. This year I showed that top five is realistic and I think that was also possible as an overall result without the rounds I missed due to injury. For next year I want to fight for the title in EMX250 and progress to MX2 in 2026.”
Good luck for the end of this season.
Mesters: “Thanks, see you around!”
Image: Steve Bauerschmidt, Fullspectrum Media
