School-leaving qualifications take precedence over professional career. Mölln is both highlight and low point of the year. 2026: Step up to the 250cc class in the F4E GasGas Junior Racing Team.
The fact that Ian Ampoorter (B/F4E GasGas Junior Racing Team) is a good and talented Motocross rider was perhaps something that others were more aware of than he himself. His team principal Jimmy Verburgh spotted Ampoorter’s talent when he was still on the 65cc bike, and when he signed him up for his team just three years ago. Ampoorter still attends full-time school. Only when he has finished his schoolwork does he turn his attention to fitness and motorcycle training – not the usual order of priorities for a 17-year-old competing at this high level of Motocross. After two injury-plagued years, he took possession of the red plate that signifies the leader in the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 at the third event of the season in Dreetz, and never looked back. We wanted to find out more about the career of the Belgian, who lives in Beervelde near Genk, so we invited him to our champion’s interview.
Congratulations on winning the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125. How pleased are you to have won this championship? I am thrilled with this title – for my family too. Injuries had made the previous two years really tough. As such, it means an awful lot to me to have finally made it through a full season and to have actually won the title in the end.
Did the title come as a surprise, or was that your goal? At first, I was surprised to find myself in that position. My only objective was to ride as well as possible. However, after the first event the goal became clear: to challenge for the title. Once I had then established a bit of a lead, I was absolutely determined to win. In the end, it was no longer such a great surprise.
What does the title mean to you? Is it the biggest of your career so far? Winning the ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 means a huge amount to me. It is my very first title. I have narrowly missed out on a title twice in the past, so to finally get my hands on a title is really big for me. Plus, there is a very strong field in the ADAC series, which is another reason why this title is so important to me.
What was your biggest strength in 2025? Did you change anything compared to previous years? I believe my biggest strength this season was my fitness. I was able to keep pushing right to the end, while some of the other riders started to tire. That often allowed me to overtake riders who were very quick at the start of the race.
What role did the racing team play? The F4E GasGas Junior Racing Team has played a huge role in my success. They give me everything I need for training and the races. Without that support, this would not have been possible.
How long have you been riding in Motocross, and how did you get into it? I have been riding in Motocross for eleven years. I started racing at the age of six. It was my stepfather, who used to ride quads, who got me into the sport. He brought me into his family and sat me on a PW50. We immediately brought the bike home with us and I rode it in our garden. After that I was given a bigger 50, and I started practicing on real tracks.
How important is it for you to be able to test yourself against international opposition in an ADAC Series? That is very important. Competing against international riders raises your levels. It makes you stronger, because there are many fast riders who are hard to overtake. And it also helps me to be prepared going into my EMX races. It is hugely important for my development.
Which race was your highlight of the 2025 ADAC season? My highlight was the second event in Mölln, where I won the opening race. That was my first race win at a higher level in the 125cc class – it felt great. The season opener in Fürstlich Drehna was also good: I got stuck in a crash at the start, then battled my way back from 36th place to fourth. That was also a really good race for me.
And which race would you rather forget? To be honest, that would also be Mölln – but the second half of the weekend. After my victory in the opening race on the Saturday, I once again found myself stuck in a crash at the start of race two on the Sunday. Because there were three races in Mölln, they were shorter, which made it difficult to make up ground. I then had a poor start in race three, which ruined my overall position. In the end, I was still third, but I was looking for the overall victory after the race win. I would rather forget that part of the race weekend.
Which rider in your class surprised you most in the 2025 season? Raivo Laicans surprised me. I did not know that he is so good on sand – particularly in Dreetz, when he won by a big margin.
What are your plans for 2026? Which team and series will you be racing in? In 2026, I will ride for the F4E GasGas Junior Racing Team again, and will step up to the 250F. I will line up in EMX250 and the ADAC MX Youngster Cup. I am looking forward to it, as both championships are of a very high standard, and a lot of strong EMX riders also start in the ADAC series. It is going to be a big challenge, but a good one.
Is there anything else you would like to say at the end of this interview? I would like to thank the F4E GasGas Junior Racing Team and its principal Jimmy Verbugh – for the support over the past three years, although I had so many injuries, and for the opportunity to ride a 250cc bike for him next year. I would also like to thank my trainer Jens Hendrickx for helping me with my physical training, my family, all my sponsors, and everyone who supports me. It has not always been easy for me, but everyone has stuck with me. My family really gives everything – and I am very grateful for that.
