Red Bull KTM factory rider, Andrea Adamo will always be a world motocross champion, and his 2023 season will go down as one of Italy’s proudest moments, in a history that of course has names like Antonio Cairoli, Alessio Chiodi, Andrea Bartolini, Alex Puzar and Micheal Rinaldi in it.

Adamo would love to join Puzar as a two-time champion, which would place him only behind Cairoli and Chiodi, who have nine and three titles respectively. With his age sneaking up, and the chance of having one final year in the MX2 class, that second title would be a lot easier to win in MX2, than in the MXGP class, which over the next 10 years is going to see huge fireworks, with big talent.

Like Lucas Coenen, Kay De Wolf, Simon Langenfelder and Liam Everts, Adamo has a style that will suit the 450 class and for me, with riders like Jeffrey Herlings, Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre and Glenn Coldenhoff all getting older and slower, these MX2 boys are going to be causing some major problems for those legends.

We caught up with Adamo as he enjoys the off-season, resting his body and even having time to enjoy his friends with an enduro riding weekend. The harshness of world travel and pushing his body to the limit has been given a break and enjoying just being a man and not an athlete has given him time to reflect on what he wants to do in the future. We caught up with the always friendly and professional Italian and below is what he told us.

MXlarge: Firstly, congratulations on great season. You might not be the world champion this year, but third in the world isn’t something to be ashamed of?

Adamo: I mean, no, of course, it is partly how I see it. One thing, when I quite my racing career, I will be proud of third in the world. I am always speaking with Joel (Smets) as we work together, and he tells me; he is proud of his second and third places in the world. The times he did those finishes; it means something to him. For me, at the moment, it is disappointing to not win the title, but as I said, I think I will be proud of this when I retire.

MXLarge: As a motocross rider, a very tough sport and a very tough season. I don’t know if you keep riding or you take a break and just put the bike away. How is that for you at the moment?

Adamo: Honestly, this season has been tougher than the other ones, it’s been tough and a lot of travelling, especially the last month, where we had Turkey, China, Australia, then a couple of nights home and USA. The first month or my off-season, I am taking full recovery. Not riding, but I have an enduro bike, which I like riding. This week I am going on an enduro week with my friends, riding enduro and some cycling. I try and do the things I cannot do in the season, so have some fun, maybe go to sleep a bit late, without being stressed, that next morning I need to get up early and train. That is how I approach my off season.

MXLarge: I don’t think people can really appreciate or understand how difficult it is being an athlete in a sport like, where the sport itself is so tough, but then you are getting off a plane in another time zone and having to perform. Finding the right food, or all those things. I know for myself, I like to try and eat healthy, and eating in places like Asia, Australia, America or some places in Europe, the food is very different.

Adamo: Yes, that is difficult. For an Italian, it is even more difficult and we in Italy, food is everything. We like to eat healthy, and we like good pasta and when I go to other countries, I struggle a lot. We also don’t just travel to the same country, so places like China, they cook a completely different way, sometimes more things in the food, maybe spicey stuff, or many sauces and that is something that I struggle with a lot. The travelling, which is really not easy to stay on the right time zone and when you are on the track, its time to be serious, and perform at a high level, but the travel can really make you tired.

MXlarge: When travelling, are you checking your heart rate, blood pressure, all these things, because from my experience, the foods and flying can make a big difference to those things. I am obviously an old man, so I keep a check on those things and it’s amazing how much the blood pressure or heart rate change eating in places like Indonesia, where they cook with bad oil or put things in the food. Do you check those things often in the season?

Adamo: No, honestly not really, but I see my recovery from those fly-away races is slower. I don’t think that only comes from food, but also the travel, the time difference, so many factors that make it happen, but my recovery is slower. You are sleeping in different beds; you wake up every two hours from the time difference. It is a mix of things.

MXlarge: Finishing up in Australia, many people really enjoyed that trip and the track. Many riders said it was their favourite track and the event got MXGP event of the year. How did you experience it?

Adamo: Of course, it was a good one, not a bad one. The preparation of the track was very good, but I found when the kids were riding on the Friday, the track was way better than what it was on the weekend. I liked it a lot, at least it was worth flying there, because sometimes we travel a lot and get to a track and its too small, or tight, or just not a fun track. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to race some of the tracks, when we have so many good tracks in Europe, but the one in Australia, which was a good track and worth the trip.

MXLarge: We are reading rumours you are going to the MXGP class in 2026. Is that decision made yet?

Andrea Adamo: We still haven’t decided what we will do. A final decision will be made in the coming two weeks; we are still discussing with the team and what is best for me in the future. Of course, I want to win another world championship in MX2, and it isn’t sure I can do it, but I am more than confident, if I stay in 250, I will fight for the championship again. On one side, I would like another championship, but the other side, I would like to jump on a 450 and see. It is going to be the future and in one years’ time, I will have to do it (he will age out of MX2). Now I have the choice, and we are still not clear with our plans. I think one week or two, we will know what we do.

MXLarge: Watching Lucas in the 450 class this year and then seeing the videos of Lucas and Liam chasing Jeffrey in Valkenswaard. It is going to be an exciting time for the MXGP class in the next decade and obviously you and Simon also have great techniques for the 450. What do you think of the future for you guys?

Adamo: I think so too, honestly. Watching Lucas, wow, this year, just unbelievable, he was amazing and then Kay and Liam, they are also good, and I know I am as good, or on some days better than those guys. If I make the step, it just gives me confidence seeing what they can do. I am not less than these guys and on my good day, I am better. That gives me a lot of confidence.

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