Ten years after Glenn Coldenhoff, Roan van de Moosdijk took the ADAC MX Masters title back to the Netherlands in 2025, a success for which he won many plaudits. It was also the first Rider title in the top category of the prestigious racing series for the Kosak Racing Team. In a pre-season interview, van de Moosdijk discusses why he has stuck with the successful combination with the Kosak Racing Team, and whether he now feels under greater pressure.

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How have preparations gone for the 2026 ADAC MX Masters season?

Roan van de Moosdijk: “It is all going well. Not a lot has changed really – everything is pretty much the same. Only visually have there been a few changes: I am now wearing a few new brands, such as ONE Industries apparel, Bell helmets and Sidi boots. Other than that, preparations have gone well. They have been a little longer than usual, because the season starts a bit later than usual this year. However, everything has gone to plan. I have already had a few warm-up races in the Netherlands and one in Germany, in order to find my race rhythm.”

Have you made any changes to your pre-season preparations or the bike for 2026?

“No, nothing major. I am still working with my Motocross trainer Marc de Reuver. As far as the chassis is concerned, I am still with WP. The bikes are similar to last year anyway. I felt at home on the new KTM model from the word go. We have not changed much on the bike for this season, because it worked so well last year. I immediately trusted the setup that the team gave me. It was mainly a case of amassing as many hours as possible on the bike. Because there are a lot of sand races this year, we have done a lot of training on sand.”

Does being the reigning champion put more pressure on you or make you even more motivated?

“A bit of both. It motivates me. I have only been a champion once before at such a high level, when I won EMX250, but I have never had the opportunity to defend a title. This will be the first time. Many people say it is more difficult to defend a title than it is to win it in the first place. I am excited. I am simply looking forward to challenging for the title again. At the moment, I do not see that as extra pressure.”

Marc de Reuver is very experienced. Has he given you any tips on how to defend a title?

“To be honest, not really. At the moment, we are fully focussed on the riding and getting in plenty of hours of practice. It is about small details on the bike, but not specifically the championship. I am sure we will discuss it at some point, but it is perhaps better not to make a big deal of it. At the moment, the key is just to get laps under my belt.”

Will the ADAC MX Masters be your main focus again, or are you also planning to start in other championships?

“The ADAC MX Masters is definitely the main series, partly because I am riding for a German team. On top of that, I will also line up in a few MXGP races, but fewer than last year. I also plan to start in a few individual races. I would also like to ride in two or three races in the Dutch Masters, as I have not started in that series for two or three years. It is nice to ride in my native Netherlands again. However, the ADAC remains the main goal.”

Has your ADAC title been recognised and appreciated in the Netherlands?

“Yes, definitely, and the title is very important to me personally. Together with the world championship, I believe the ADAC MX Masters is one of the biggest series in Europe. Many Dutch riders have started there in the past. A lot of fans from the Netherlands also watch the livestreams. The reactions have been very positive. Glenn Coldenhoff was the last Dutchman to win the title, ten years ago. So, yes, the title is also important and attracts a lot of attention in the Netherlands.”

You are now in your third year with the Kosak Racing Team. Was it a logical decision to stay with them after winning the title?

“I joined the team in mid-2024, part way through the season. I felt really comfortable from the word go. Back then, I was returning from injury and was made to feel very welcome. The team put their faith in me, which allowed us to take a big step forward last year and end the season with the title to our name. That is why I did not want to change anything. I feel right at home there. Plus, there were no real reasons to go anywhere else.”

What are the biggest strengths of the Kosak Racing Team?

“For me, the close environment is right up there. The team works with a lot of heart. It is not a huge team, rather a smaller group, but that is precisely what makes it so special. The cooperation is very easy. This setup works very well for a championship with six or seven events. Furthermore, the team puts a lot of faith in me and is open to changes to the bike, if I want to try something out. I really appreciate that.”

Who will be your strongest rivals in the new season?

“I don’t know the exact starter list yet, but I believe there will be a lot of familiar names and opponents from last year. Max Nagl is definitely one of the strongest. I have great respect for how long he has been riding at this level. I saw him in the winter, and he looks very good. Then there are obviously riders like Maximilian Spies, Marcel Stauffer, Noah Ludwig, Tom Koch – they are just a few of the names that come into my head. On the whole, the standard is very high.”

Which event are you particularly looking forward to?

“I would say Tensfeld. That is a sand track that I really like. Last year, I came back strongly from an injury and actually won a race there without the rear brake, which failed immediately after the start. That makes it a special place for me, and I am looking forward to racing there again.”