There is no doubt, one of the dark horses in this year’s MXGP world motocross championship is former MX2 world champion, Andrea Adamo, of the Red Bull KTM factory team. The Italian, who arrived on the Grand Prix scene in 2019 with a 46th place finish quickly worked his way to the top, finishing in 14th a year later, then 8th, before he became world champion in 2023.

He would follow the championship up with sixth in 2024 and finally third last year behind champion, Simon Langenfelder and 2024 champion, Kay De Wolf. Now, with his 250 career behind him, he has taken on the tough job of moving to the MXGP class, but the KTM rider is more than ready for the challenge.

“Life with the 450 is going good,” Adamo said. “Every time I enter the track, I discover something new and that makes it exciting and interesting. I had spent many years on the 250, and it was already very familiar, and now there are many new feelings.

And as for his preparation, a good winter and pre-season has given him a lot of confidence as he heads to Mantova this weekend, and then of course, Argentina for the opening round of the MXGP championship.

“Overall, preparation is going well. I’m healthy and fit, and the winter has gone positively, even if we still have some time before the first GP. I think the bike is amazing, and it makes me want to get to Argentina quickly. 2026 will be a different type of racing with a different kind of opponent. Guys with so much experience, so I have to learn from them.

His goal, to be around the top five and end the season being as consistent as possible and prove to anyone who doesn’t believe, that he can fight with the best 450 riders in the world.

“It will be a challenge, and I cannot really speak about expectations, but I want to try and stay as close to the top five as possible, and then we’ll see. There are many good guys on the line – we have to learn as much as we can. I’m happy to join the big class.”

This weekend, Adamo will race the second round of the Italian International championship, where he is currently ninth in the series points after a very impressive second place finish in the opening two races in Sardinia, but unfortunately, failed to score points in the second moto. No doubt, in his home country and around the Mantova circuit, he will again want some positive results.