MIKKEL HAARUP INTERVIEW: “I CAME OVER HERE TO JUST LEARN”

Triumph Factory Racing’s Mikkel Haarup came into the 2025 250 Motocross Series as an unknown as to how he would do, and he has done great and is currently the top Triumph rider. In spite of a midpack finish at Fox Raceway’s Series Opener, the Danish rider has steadily progressed, just missing the podium by one spot several times. The interesting aspect is that Mikkel (who raced the MX2 World Championship in 2024) was supposed to lead Triumph’s MXGP 450 effort this year until Triumph decided they couldn’t get the MXGP team ready. Haarup initially came over to test for Triumph, but his testing showed he was more suited to race. Mikkel is currently sixth in the 250 Motocross Series, just three points behind Tom Vialle. We caught up with Mikkel (pronounced like Nickle) at Ironman.

BY JIM KIMBALL

MIKKEL, YOU ARE SIXTH IN POINTS IN THE 250 NATIONAL MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP. THAT IS VERY IMPRESSIVE, ESPECIALLY AS AN AMA MOTOCROSS ROOKIE. ARE YOU PLEASED WITH WHERE YOU ARE AT? I am very pleased. It has been a lot of learning these last couple of rounds. I did not start out the season strong in terms of points and results, so to be sixth right now is quite surprising. It is what it is. We are trying to race by taking it weekend by weekend and seeing where we end up by the end of the season. It is cool and it shows that we have done a good job so far.

Mikkel has been one of the most consistent riders, finishing in the top ten in all but two races this motocross season.

MAYBE THE SEASON DID NOT START OUT STRONG, BUT RECENTLY, YOU HAVE REALLY TAKEN THAT NEXT STEP. WHAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THAT? A little bit of experience I think, along with improvement in certain areas, addressing some weaknesses, and improving confidence as well. I have grown a little bit racing in America, and that has been the main thing. We have also made some improvements to the bike. We just try to make small steps, keep improving, and hopefully continue this for the rest of the season—learning as much as possible and enjoying it as much as we can.

YOU ARE SLATED TO RETURN TO EUROPE AND RACE MXGP (450 CLASS) FOR TRIUMPH NEXT YEAR, BUT THERE IS SOME INTERNET CHATTER THAT YOU MAY ACTUALLY STAY IN AMERICA NEXT YEAR. There have been thoughts for sure. It is appealing, and there are many things to consider when planning something like that. I came over here to just learn for six or seven months. It is a whole different aspect to choose to stay for a longer period of time. As of now, my plan is still to go back because that is what I initially set myself up to do. However, the talks have been there for sure. It is an interesting discussion to have from my side. I am very pleased with the feedback I have been getting from the public and I appreciate all the kind words about staying to race in America, but it is not something that has been finalized or decided yet.

On the brink of a podium, Mikkel finished fourth overall at both Red Bud and Spring Creek.

HAS THE DANISH MOTOCROSS DES NATIONS TEAM BEEN FINALIZED? We announced that a couple of weeks ago, and it will be myself, plus two young riders from Denmark. One is racing the European Championship and the other is racing the World Championship in the MX2 class. It will be a good team! Obviously, for Team Denmark to show up here in the first place is not easy. We are a small country of about five or six million people. The budget is not as big as some other countries, but to come over and represent us is cool. We are going to give it our all and try to learn for the coming years of MXON. It is an experience you won’t get to have many times in your career, so we are going to try to enjoy it as much as possible.

Mikkel currently sits sixth overall in points and leads the group of Triumph racers.

LET’S FINISH UP WITH THIS MIKKEL, YOU DID NOT RACE AMERICAN SUPERCROSS HERE. SO, IF YOU EARN ENOUGH POINTS IN MOTOCROSS, WILL YOU RACE THE SMX PLAYOFFS? I believe I’m currently ranked thirteenth. I spent some time on the SMX track last week, and I am trying to get my feet wet and see how it is. So, let’s see. As of now, I think I might do it just to get behind the gate, but it is obviously going to be with a different approach. It is something I have never done (Supercross style), racing under the lights, so I will take it more as an experience and just try to enjoy it. It is like the approach I had at the beginning of the motocross season, and then we will see how it goes. If I can be slightly competitive, so be it. Most importantly, I just want to stay safe and get some gate drops—that is going to be the important thing.