While we spoke about the MXGP class for 2027, how deep it is and now many factory teams are involved, the MX2 class, while nothing like MXGP, is still a very exciting class, with a bunch of changes since this year.

Fullspectrum image

If you want to consider the semi-factory teams, MX2 will have around 15 factory backed riders in 2027, which, is always impressive. Even with Yamaha gone, the likes of Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Husqvarna, Ducati and Triumph are showing huge support to the 250 riders.

Of course, MX2 world champion, Guillem Farres moves up to the MXGP class, leaving a new champion to be crowned in 2027. The heavy favourite has to be South African, Camden McLellan and that role as favourite, could either make or break him. He seems tough enough to survive that position, but there are a number of young riders ready to pounce.

Sasha Coenen, the man who could have easily on the MX2 class in 2026, with a little more common sense and patience, but he didn’t. The very talented Belgian heads to USA and we will miss his spectacular style and attitude.

Liam Everts for me could be a serious contender, but unfortunately, the youngest of the three generations of Everts has suffered often with injuries and he will need to keep away from those to fight with McLellan. If he can stay fit, he has all the talent to become a world champion, but time is running out. I am just as excited to see him in MXGP as I am watching him again in MX2.

Former World MX2 champion, Simon Langenfelder decided not to move up and will have one last shot at the MX2 title, again in the KTM factory team, he will want to return to the red plate and number one spot on the scene, but his up and down 2026 makes you wonder if he can do that. Like Everts, if he can find a good team in MXGP, his results should be impressive.

No doubt, the Reisulis brothers, Janis and Karlis will be improved for 2027 and you have to assume, they will flourish inside the KTM tent. While Janis is in the full factory team, Karlis will have a similar set-up in the semi-factory team of Van Venrooy. Being that KTM have been so strong in this class for so long, you have to assume they will both be possible GP winners and serious contenders.

Apart from the excitement of the Reisulis brothers going to KTM, I think the HRC factory team of Julius Mikula and Maxime Grau might turn some heads and put together some surprise results. Hard to see them contending for the title, but they will make podiums and give the red rockets some good promotion.

EMX250 champion, Francisco Garcia and EMX250 runner-up Nicolai Skovbjerg should perform well, but hard to really know what the EMX250 class of 2026 will be like against the fastest MX2 boys. I hold my judgement on them until a few rounds are run.

Mathis Valin, another rider with huge talent and also somebody who has had his share of injuries. He could be a serious contender, or a guy on the sidelines. His MXoN performance on the Saturday allows you to put him as a contender, but his Sunday performance was unfortunately, something we have seen too often in his career.

Aussie Byron Dennis is a nice inclusion into the MX2 class after showing promise in the final rounds of the series. Aussies always show top results and are fighters, so anything is possible with Dennis. A podium might be on the agenda, but hard to know when he is full-time, how his results will be. Proving yourself in a few rounds seems much easier than a tough, long 20 round series.

The Chinese are coming, but • KOVE Moto, ZXMoto and JHL will be waiting until 2028 or 2029 before they enter MX2. Kove Moto will enter the paddock in 2027 by starting in the EMX250 category first, with a planned step up to the MX2 world championship division in 2028, while ZXMOTO has confirmed a factory program for 2027 joining forces with JM Racing, focusing on the MXGP 450cc class (with riders Kevin Horgmo and Oriol Oliver). JHL Factory Racing made a historic one-off wildcard appearance in MXGP during the 2026 season in China, but is not contesting a full-season program for 2027.

MX2 Leading Riders

Camden McLellan – Triumph Factory team

Liam Everts – Red Bull Husqvarna Factory team

Simon Langenfelder – Red Bull KTM factory team

Janis Reisulis – Red Bull KTM factory team

Karlis Reisulis – Van Venrooy KTM Team

Valerio Lata – Red Bull KTM Factory team

Julius Mikula – HRC Factory team

Maxime Grau – HRC Factory team

Mathis Valin – Kawasaki Factory team

Byron Dennis – Van Venrooy KTM team

Francisco Garcia – Kawasaki Factory team

Ferruccio Zanchi – Ducati Factory team

Nicolai Skovbjerg – Ducati Factory team