Scott Smulders is just 16 years old, but by no means a newcomer to the 125cc class. 2021 was the Dutch rider’s third season in this class. In his first year in the ADAC MX Junior Cup, he impressed with his speed. At the season-opener in Tensfeld, for example, he ended up on the podium at the end of the day, despite not being able to start race three! We spoke to the newly-crowned champion.

Congratulations on the title. How does it feel to be the new ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 champion? Scott Smulders: “Thank you very much, I am very happy. This is the first time in my life that I have won a real title. I was European champion in the 65cc class in 2015, but that was just one race. This year, I had to prove myself over four events, with three races per weekend. Now I have won a proper racing series.”

Were you surprised by the title, or was it your goal for this season? “The ADAC title was my goal, along with top-five results in the European championship. I have now won the title in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 and am currently fifth in the EMX125, and still trying to improve in that series.”

What was the key to your success? “I was very strong in the first two races in Tensfeld and Dreetz, where I won every race. I was a little unlucky in Fürstlich Drehna and had to fight my way to the front, but I still managed to win one race, as well as finishing third and suffering a big fall. Reutlingen was a very big challenge for me: I was nervous, as I was leading a real championship for the first time. You could see that from the way I rode! After a crash at the start, I finished eighth. I was eighth again in the next race. I then had a better start in race three and was running fifth. I managed that position through to the finish without taking too many risks. I was behind Constantin Piller and knew I just needed to stick with him to be crowned champion.”

Was the tension more of a hinderance at the finale than the hard ground? “Yes, exactly. I am usually very good on hard ground, even though I am from Holland. I am also up at the front of the field in the European championship races on hard ground, so I can definitely say that I was only fighting my nerves.”

How did you get into Motocross? “When I was three, I was given a Yamaha PW50. My father has been a Motocross rider since he was a little kid, and I attended my first race at the age of just two weeks. So I was pretty young when I was introduced to the sport, and when I got my first bike I rode it as much as possible.”

What is your goal in Motocross? “That is easy: I want to be as good as Jeffrey Herlings and Glen Coldenhoff. They are both from Holland, and I want to reach the same level as them.”

Do you already know what you will be riding next year? “I will definitely switch to the 250cc four-stroke bike. However, it is yet to be confirmed which team and manufacturer I will ride for. Discussions are ongoing, so we will have to wait and see what comes of them. I will definitely start in the EMX250 and the Dutch Masters. And I will try to line up in as many ADAC MX Youngster Cup races as possible. I made my debut in that series this season, and really enjoyed it.”

Finally: In Tensfeld, after two race wins, you were too late to the pre-start and not allowed to start race three. What happened? “That was very frustrating, to be honest. However, it was my own mistake and I should have known better. But I still went on to be champion and won seven races, so I am very happy with my season.”