Latvian talent Kārlis Reišulis has made a big step in his career, transitioning from the EMX250 class to a full-time MX2 GP rider. After getting a taste of the MX2 World Championship last season due to injuries within the Yamaha structure, he impressed enough to secure a permanent spot for 2025. We caught up with Reišulis to discuss his journey, adapting to the intensity of MX2, representing Latvia at the Motocross des Nations, and his goals for the season ahead.
GateDrop: Karlis, let’s go back to this time last year, you were actually an EMX250 rider, but you got the opportunity to race MX2 GPs after a few injuries to other riders. How did it feel to get the opportunity to go into MX2 full time?
Reišulis: Yeah, it was a nice opportunity, you know, like I started the season, I was not expecting it and it turned out really well. I stayed with the team for this year, so I was really happy that I got that opportunity.
GateDrop: When you made the step up to MX2, how did you find the level and the format, it’s different from EMX and it’s a lot more intense probably?
Reišulis: Yeah, for sure it’s a lot more intense, you have much more racing during the weekend, but I think it’s not so bad to get used to it. It was more just the intensity from the other riders, you have to push a lot more.
GateDrop: When you look back to last year, sort of your highlights, one highlight for me would be Switzerland, I think it was the second moto, maybe the best moto of your career, how did it feel? And did that give you confidence that you belong at the top of MX2?
Reišulis: Yeah, definitely that moto gave me a confidence boost, I felt quite good after that race and then it was really a lot of motivation for me to continue working. I’m looking forward to more motos like this.
GateDrop: I have to talk about the Motocross des Nations, you were actually in the B final, so you rode a lot of moto’s that weekend, but you ended up second in MX2, that must have felt amazing and another big confidence booster?
Reišulis: Yes, it was a really nice race because I started with the crash in qualifying race and then I had to go to B final, but I won the B final as well as second overall in MX 2. It was a long weekend but I’m really happy for my performance that weekend, so it was nice.
GateDrop: What was it like with Team Latvia, you were able to put Latvian motocross on the map and especially by finishing second in MX2 at that event, it’s pretty huge…
Reišulis: Yeah, it was for sure, I was really happy that I could do this not just for me but for my home country, so I enjoyed it a lot. My teammates also did a really good job there, so I’m looking back to it, it was a really big honour to ride for my home country.
GateDrop: Then you got the opportunity to stay with Yamaha, this is sort of your first full season in MX2 after starting in EMX250 last year, how great did it feel to get the opportunity to stay with Yamaha and stay blue?
Reišulis: Yeah, it was almost relieving that I finally got this opportunity that I’ve been how to say, dreaming about my whole career to ride in a factory team in the world championships. So, for sure it was a nice feeling and it just motivated me to work even more and do everything I can to be a good rider for the team.
GateDrop: What was your winter like coming into this year, because obviously it was your first going into a GP season, you knew you were going to be racing EMX before so did you change that much or relatively stay the same?
Reišulis: Yeah, I had more bike time I think overall, because I finished school also last year, so I could just only focus on riding. But it was just a normal winter, like just a lot of riding in Spain and nothing crazy.
GateDrop: Would you usually spend your winter in Latvia or would you usually spend it overseas in Spain and places like that?
Reišulis: Yeah, I spend it first of all before the season in Latvia. I ride in Latvia as much as possible and then I move normally to Spain.
GateDrop: You’ve got the Justs Brothers in your corner, what’s it like working with them and I think you’ve been working for them for quite a few years, so that must be good to have them in your corner and they were sort of the first Latvian GP riders to come through.
Reišulis: Yeah exactly, it’s really good to work with them. They have helped me a lot since I was a kid. I started with Roberts who is now my main trainer, I started with him back in 2017, so it’s been a long journey with him. He teaches me a lot of stuff and without him for sure I would not be right here where I’m at right now. I really appreciate their help and I cannot imagine my career without Roberts or his family.
GateDrop: Do you put much time in with your teammates? Obviously they’re a lot more experienced, both of them are actually in their last year of MX2. Do you ride much with Rick and Thibault and are you able to learn from them, because they obviously have more MX2 experience under their belt?
Reišulis: Yeah, like in winter I did some training together, but it’s not like I plan just riding with them, I normally do my own program, my own thing. It doesn’t happen often that I can ride with them together.
GateDrop: On the start of the season, how would you reflect on it? Obviously Cozar was a mud bath, but Argentina, pretty solid start to the season, better than the first EMX250 round last year anyway…
Reišulis: Yeah, it was quite a good start to the season. I’ve been scoring in the top ten, so that’s good. I’m looking forward to more races like this or even improve from that.
GateDrop: Have you got any big goals that you’d like to achieve this year? I’m sure you want to get on that podium at the very least…
Reišulis: Yeah, for sure, I want to get on the podium, that’s what I’ve been dreaming about also a little bit. So yeah, that would put that as one of my goals, but also I cannot hide the fact that I want to ride a consistent season, you know, with more consistent results, at least than last year.
GateDrop: And your brother Janis, do you ride much with him? And obviously last year was a big bummer for him, but he’s come back and he’s looking pretty good already…
Reišulis: Yeah, he came back good so yeah, I think he will have also quite a good season. I’m looking forward to do some more training with him as much as possible. He still has school, so I cannot see him during training all the time, but otherwise I feel that he will be a good rider this year.
GateDrop: At the moment, we’ve got the Lawrence brothers, we’ve got the Coenen brothers, and we’ve got you guys. Is it pretty cool to share this experience with him? I mean, growing up, having them there, and he’s got you as well, you’re able to share it with somebody.
Reišulis: Yeah, sometimes when I was not happy about my result, and my brother does a good result for sure, it’s also like a nice feeling. You know, he’s always been my little brother, so it’s nice to see him also perform good.
GateDrop: Do you know if he’s going to do any MX2 GP’s this year? You might be able to race together, that’d be pretty cool…
Reišulis: He will do some wild cards, or one wild card, but that I think will get more clear towards the middle of the season.
