Obviously the MXGP championship is already turning heads and making us all wonder what happens in round three in Sardinia. Deep sand, and a bunch of Dutch riders involved, which always means strong results, but what has attracted our attention this week is the signing of two Dutch riders to factory teams and a British sand specialist, also signing with a factory team. So strong is the depth in Europe at the moment that riders like Brian Bogers, Roan Van De Moosdijk and Todd Kellett are not already in strong teams.

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Of course, both Bogers and Van De Moosdijk had teams when the off-season signings were announced, unfortunately, Bogers team folded, leaving him without a ride for 2024 and he nearly slipped into retirement. The situation with Van De Moosdijk and Fantic is probably better left alone, but whatever happened between the two, the Dutchman has had some luck, to see himself in the HRC tent and like Bogers, probably in better ride than he had before the drama (not offence to Fantic).

As for Kellett, a sand specialist, World sand racing champion and king of Le Touquet. A former EMX and MXGP racer, and it will be fun to see how he does in the beach like circuit of Riola. I can imagine the intensity in MXGP is a little tougher than in a beach race.

Kellett is something of a young/veteran of the sport, having races EMX250 back in 2017. His best scores in EMX were a 9th in the sand of Latvia, 7th in a French GP, a 9th in Switzerland and a 6th in the sand of Assen. Funnily enough, that sixth place came with 7-13 results and the winner that day was Jett Lawrence with 1-1 performances. Kevin Horgmo was second, Tom Vialle was third, then Mikkel Haarup and Caleb Grothues. Kellett also rode a MXGP round in Lommel in 2021 but finished with 23rd overall.

“I’m pleased I have been given the opportunity to race the MXGP of Riola, Sardinia for the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team,” Kellett said. “It’s an opportunity that I am very grateful for, and the team have been very supportive. We have done some testing, and the bike is next level! I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in this adventure. It’s not the “usual” race format for me, but we will give it 110% in the soft stuff and see what we can put on the table!”

As for Van De Moosdijk, he hasn’t raced a round of the MXGP championship yet, but he did have some success in the MX2 class, scoring a third place in 2019 in Turkey, 2-2-3 in 2020 in Latvia (on three occasions as it was Covid year). He also picked up 5-5-3 in Italy in 2020, two of those in the sand of Mantova. A second overall in Lommel in 2020 showed that he is a real Dutchman in his sand skills. He has also scored a second overall in Latvia last year and could easily finish top ten in Riola this weekend. Any higher than around that 10^th place seems unlikely in his first race for HRC.

“When I heard about this opportunity,” Van De Moosdijk said. “I knew I had to take it with both hands. The chance to ride for Team HRC doesn’t come along very often and I am hopeful that I can show everyone what I am capable of, in what will be my full-time debut in the MXGP class. It certainly won’t be easy to get up to speed on the Honda CRF450R straightaway but seeing how well Tim (Gajser) has been riding it, I know that it is a very competitive bike and I’m excited to get started and get comfortable on it. Thanks to everyone that has supported me, to get me to this moment, and I can’t wait to get to Riola and get lined up for that first gate-drop.”

Of course, Bogers has a GP win in Lommel in 2022, his first and only GP victory. Generally, in 2023 he was usually around 10^th place in the overall results. He scored a second overall to Jeffrey Herlings in the Lombardia GP in 2016 in the MX2 class and is capable of being a regular top ten guy, but Riola this weekend isn’t going to be easy.

“Yes,” Bogers told MXlarge. “It looks nice, but it’s going to be really difficult. I am short of two months of training. It was a crazy winter for me, and I did six weeks of training for Le Touquet, but before that I hadn’t done any training and after Le Touquet I hadn’t done any training. So, you know, at this moment I am just not fit enough for the race, but I am really happy and excited to be back. Also, the bike, it is a different bike, I need to get used to it, but at the moment, it feels really good. I just need to get my physical side better.”

Whatever happens with these three riders in Sardinia this weekend, all will have eyes on them, as we enjoy this exciting 2023 MXGP championship. If I had to pick, I would say Van De Moosdijk finishes 11^th, Bogers 14^th and Kellett 17^th overall. Of course, what do I know, but always fun to imagine what might happen.

Bavo Swijgers image