The 2025 season has been a challenging one for BTS Racing, with financial setbacks forcing the team to make difficult decisions. One of the biggest changes was parting ways with Oriol Oliver, a move dictated by budget constraints rather than performance. We decided to give team manager, Sofian Benallouch a call as he sheds light on the tough call to split with Oliver, the impact on the team, and the road ahead for BTS Racing.
Despite the hurdles, the team remains determined to push forward, with Jens Walvoort working on his recovery and efforts underway to secure the necessary support to keep BTS Racing on track. Benallouch also shares his thoughts on the financial challenges facing teams in MXGP and whether more support from Infront Moto Racing could help teams survive in an increasingly expensive sport.
On the reason for parting ways with Oliver…
Just before the season started, we were informed that the sponsor budget reserved for our team would likely be significantly reduced, so this issue started even before the season began. This made the situation very difficult for us. However, we started the season positively as a team with two riders. At the same time, as the season started, we were looking for a solution. Unfortunately, it wasn’t as simple as everyone sees and hears in recent years.
Parting ways on good terms…
That’s correct, we parted on good terms. We were in Harfsen to race the Dutch Masters and that was the last event with Oriol – we finished in third place. But we both knew this wouldn’t bring any changes for the future (unfortunately). The problem is indeed that a sponsor significantly fell short in the budget, which meant we had to make the difficult decision to part ways. We also hope that Oriol can find some solution to participate the rest of the season.
On the future for the team and what it means for Walvoort…
Jens is currently working hard on his recovery. We hope to be back behind the starting gate as soon as possible. At the moment, we are reorganizing within the team. We are doing everything we can to continue with the team, and we hope to finish the season on a positive note.
On what the team need in order to continue in the paddock…
We hope to find sponsors who can help us with the budget. We do this out of passion and would love to continue doing what we enjoy, and that is nothing other than motocross. But it has to be financially possible, so our partners/sponsors are very important and we really appreciate what they do for us.
On if Infront Moto Racing can help the teams more…
They can certainly help us. We understand very well that they must have done a lot of work to get the races on the calendar. But the current era we are in now makes it almost impossible to race at this level; everything has become so expensive. If you only look at the costs of travel right now – the hotels, diesel, tolls – and then we haven’t even mentioned the equipment needed to get there… After that then there’s the racing itself. But one thing I want to make clear… MXGP (Infront Moto Racing) (alone!) cannot change this; there are many more factors that need to come together to give this a positive turn for the future!
