MXGP: What is the future for Mikkel Haarup?

First rider to offer a podium to Triumph, fifth in the MX2 season with six heat podiums and two GP podiums, Mikkel Haarup remains without handlebars for 2025 while he must move to 450. What possibilities are available to the Danish rider? Will his career be European or American? We take stock.

If we take a closer look at the final ranking of the MX2 world championship, the top-15 have already found a handlebar or secured a future for 2025. All? No ! A pilot and not the least is still looking for a structure. Mikkel Haarup, the 23-year-old Dane, has not yet found a solution and the situation is becoming worrying. How did he get into this position while the ex-Triumph rider is in the United States to test a few motorcycles? A little throwback!

Mikkel Haarup is not in his first hot situation since his debut in the MX2 world championship. Remember in 2023, the Dane slammed the door on the Kawasaki DRT team (Steve Dixon) before finding refuge at KTM WZ to briefly show interesting potential with a top-5 in Germany. A result which certainly tipped his destiny at Triumph before injuring his collarbone and leaving it there for 2023. If the wind has turned in his favor for 2024, luck is not there for his transition to 450. During the Motocross des Nations in Matterley, the official French structure did not hide its disappointment at having to let Mikkel Haarup leave. “ He is a well-mannered, hard-working, serious and ambitious pilot. We sincerely would have liked to continue with him,” evokes team manager Vincent Bereni at this time. But from the start of the season, warning signs warned of a certain delay in the 450 program. During our test of the new 250 Triumph in the United States in March, Clément Desalle mentioned not having yet started development. of the English machine. A proven delay which dissuades Romain Febvre from signing with his favorite team where he spent great years with Thierry Suzzoni at Kawasaki. The French driver does not want to lose a year of development while he is at the end of his career. Behind the trucks in the paddock, it is also said that the development of the 250 Triumph cost a lot of money this season. The mechanical problems were quite numerous, which is forgivable on a first experience in the World Cup. For this reason, the French structure quickly lets the English brand know that it will not take the risk of launching an unfinished 450 with all the financial burden that this implies for 2025. We even hear that Thierry Suzonni’s team could pass 100% in 450 in 2026 and leave the MX2 program to another structure (F&H ?). But that’s another topic….

You will have understood, this delay in ignition clearly did not do the business of Mikkel Haarup who could stay with Triumph in 2025. His agent Glen Dempsey (former man in the shadow of Gautier Paulin) then quickly oriented towards Kawasaki KRT after hearing of a possible departure of Jérémy Seewer. If the discussions were well started, they also ended quite quickly. Dempsey being a formidable agent in negotiation, the price asked by the Haarup clan was, in Kawasaki’s eyes, well beyond all possibilities. The choice was to bet on Jonass who was much less greedy, who preferred to ride a factory motorcycle and prove himself before money. An appetite that will perhaps cost the Dane dearly. The latter then turned to Honda Standing Construct which was to welcome him. Once again, it is a failure. Team boss Tim Mathys – not having appreciated the difference in treatment by Honda between him and Jacky Martens (JM Racing) – preferred to stop all activities. Another dead end…

In the meantime, all the handlebars have been signed. Mikkel Haarup therefore looked into the American possibility or possibilities. The Dane is currently in California to test some bikes from teams interested in his visit. We are talking about Yamaha Club MX or Suzuki HEP. A final piece of information suggests that Yamaha Star Racing could run it in the outdoor 250 and on the SMX. This possibility would be an interesting transition with the option for 2025 before returning in 2026 to the official Triumph in 450. Unless… Remember the press release for the new Triumph during the MXDN at Matterley. The English factory mentioned that it would be present in the MXGP championship in 2025. We know 100% that it will not be with Thierry Suzonni. No one really seems aware of this desire in the paddock. There remains, according to our sources, a possibility of seeing the 450 Triumph rolling next year, but not officially. Standing Construct would be in discussions with the English to develop the motorcycle in a “private” way. With which driver? As you can imagine, this option could suit Mikkel Haarup who would thus debut in the premier category in a discreet manner. This will give the Dane the opportunity to develop the bike for a year, to benefit from a professional team eager to take revenge after the Honda episode. Tim Mathys would have the support of the factory to run the bike and everyone would be happy. Remember that the 450 Triumph will arrive on the market in January. It would be very (very) surprising not to see her behind the starting grid for a year. So Europe or USA for Mikkel Haarup? Make your bets!