Interview: Thomas Traversini – “It’s amazing the way Moritz Ernecker rides the bike”

The KTM factory Junior EMX125 team has made a striking start to the season, with Team Manager Thomas Traversini expressing satisfaction at the dominant performances of his young Austrian riders, Moritz Ernecker and Ricardo Bauer. The pair secured another impressive 1-2 finish, highlighting their rapid progress in the highly competitive EMX125 class. While Ernecker has maintained flawless form, Bauer has demonstrated resilience by overcoming injury setbacks and illness, managing to compete strongly despite not being fully fit. Traversini praised Ernecker’s exceptional riding style, noting his smooth, confident approach that allows him to pull away from competitors with apparent ease. The Austrian’s technical skill and consistency have been key to his success, as he frequently secures strong starts and maintains a significant pace advantage. In contrast, Bauer’s season has been more challenging due to a wrist surgery and subsequent health issues, but his determination to fight through the pack and learn from mistakes has been encouraging. Traversini remains optimistic about Bauer’s potential for improvement as the season progresses. The team manager also highlighted the significance of nurturing Austrian talent within KTM’s ranks, emphasising the brand’s commitment to supporting young riders from the country. Both Ernecker and Bauer have been given opportunities through KTM’s structured development programme, which aims to prepare riders for advancement into higher classes such as EMX250 and eventually the World Championship. Traversini underlined the long-term vision of grooming these juniors to progress through KTM’s factory teams, ensuring sustained success and representation. Looking beyond the junior ranks, Traversini shared his positive assessment of MXGP rookie Andrea Adamo, who has impressed with his work ethic and steady improvement in the premier class. Acknowledging the high level of competition and the challenges faced by newcomers, Traversini expects Adamo to continue developing and potentially achieve notable results by the end of the season. The interview reflects KTM’s broader strategy of investing in young talent across different levels of motocross, aiming to build a strong future for the brand in international competition.