Interview: Kay de Wolf – “MXGP is a brutal class”

Kay de Wolf is rapidly adapting to the MXGP class after stepping up to the 450cc machinery, demonstrating promising progress despite recent injury setbacks. The former MX2 World Champion has already made a strong impression, notably going head-to-head with multiple-time world champion Jeffrey Herlings at the Dutch Masters round in Heerde. Racing in front of a passionate home crowd, de Wolf embraced the challenging conditions and used the event as a key learning experience in his transition to the physically demanding MXGP category. De Wolf reflected on the tough nature of the Dutch track, which had become hard and rough following wet weather, but praised the enthusiastic support from Dutch fans. He also recounted his history with the Dutch Masters, where he secured multiple titles in lower classes before targeting the 450cc title this season. While acknowledging the difficulty of competing against established riders like Herlings, de Wolf remains motivated and focused on gaining valuable race experience to complement his raw speed. The young rider described his intense battle with Herlings in the first moto as both educational and enjoyable, highlighting the importance of pushing himself against such a seasoned competitor. Despite a crash in the second moto, de Wolf recovered impressively from near the back of the pack to fourth place, showing resilience and strong pace. He explained the crash was caused by a missed brake landing but was relieved to avoid injury, emphasising his satisfaction with his overall performance and speed. Since returning from injury, de Wolf has been on a steep learning curve, adjusting to the power and demands of the 450cc bike while managing his recovery. He admitted that early races were challenging, particularly with muscle memory from riding 250cc machines affecting his gear shifts. However, he is encouraged by his steady improvement and race fitness, noting that each outing provides crucial experience as he prepares for upcoming rounds, including the next GP in Sardinia. De Wolf’s positive attitude and rapid development suggest he is well placed to establish himself among the MXGP elite in the coming season.