Liam Everts talks about his Masters comeback, World Championship form and the MXoN

With a constant improvement over the entire weekend, Liam Everts has ADAC MX Masters made a strong statement in Bitche. On Saturday, the 21-year-old had to hold his own against the larger-displacement 250s on his 450cc bike, finishing sixth in the first race. But on Sunday, he showed that more was possible: he made an impressive comeback with third place in the second race.

The climax came in the decisive third race. After the opening lap, Everts initially ran in third place, overtook the Estonian Jörgen-Matthias Talviku, and began to chase Maximilian Spies. With six laps to go, the Belgian closed the gap and took the lead. He confidently held on to the finish line – ahead of Spies and Roan van de Moosdijk. With that, the Nestaan ​​Husqvarna Factory Pilot the race win and at the same time the Overall success in Bitche.

Immediately after his triumph, the Belgian spoke to us about his return to the Masters, the challenge against the 450s, his preparation for the upcoming World Championship races and the special moment of competing again with the traditional starting number 72.

Liam, after a long break, you returned to the ADAC MX Masters – and immediately returned with a win in Bitche. How did it feel to immediately take the overall win?

It was really cool to be back in the Masters. The series is always very professionally organized, and the tracks are perfectly prepared. In Bitche, it was simply great to have a good weekend on the bike. On Saturday, the steep slopes made it quite difficult on the 250, but I got better with each run. The fact that it was actually enough for the overall victory in the end was a real surprise for me.

Like Simon Längenfelder in Tensfeld, you competed on a 250cc bike against the larger-displacement 450cc bikes in the Masters class. What was the biggest challenge?

Definitely the starts. My start was often good, but as soon as the 450s shifted into third gear, they simply gained much more ground. In the last race, I even had to line up behind a few riders and still came out of the first corner roughly eighth. The 450s also have significantly more power coming out of the corners. But that was exactly what made for good training: I had to take the corners much further and maintain a high speed – riding closer to them was simply not possible with the 250.

Were you able to use the event as training for your World Cup season?

Absolutely. I had to take a break due to injury, which I especially noticed in Sweden. In Bitche, I felt like I was getting back into the swing of things. I felt particularly good in the two races on Sunday. It was important to get my racing rhythm back – and to do so in a somewhat more relaxed atmosphere than at a Grand Prix. Less pressure, but still top conditions.

The MXGP continues next weekend in Turkey. How do you feel about the race in Afyonkarahisar?

I'm really looking forward to it. The track in Turkey somehow suits me, even though it's very fast and doesn't really suit my riding style. But it reminds me a lot of my home track in Genk, where GPs used to be held. Maybe that's why I feel so comfortable there. I hope I can carry over the good form I showed in Bitche.

Looking a little further ahead, you'll be competing for Belgium again at the 2025 Motocross of Nations. What does this event mean to you?

The MXoN is like the Olympic Games of motocross—simply the greatest. Every rider wants to be there and give their best for their country. I'm really excited to be racing in the Open class again. We have a strong team, and if all three of us are in top shape, we can achieve a lot. We were unlucky last year, but this time we're determined to show what we can do.

Finally, a look at your starting number. You've been driving the number 26 in the World Championship this year, and in Bitche you started again with the traditional number 72. Since Mike Stender is driving the number 26, did you consider changing your number, or did you go straight for the number 72?

I wanted to have something of my own for the World Championship – I liked the number 26, even though it didn't have any particular significance. Since Mike was racing with the number 26, it was quite easy for Bitche to switch back to the number 72: We still had some plastic parts and even a jersey from the winter, so I switched without further ado. The number 72 is, of course, also a piece of family tradition.

With the victory in Bitche Liam Everts has shown that he—like Ken Roczen and Jeremy Seewer, both also overall winners—can hold his own against the strong Masters competition on the smaller 250cc bike. Now the focus shifts back to the Motocross World Championship, which continues next weekend in Turkey. Everts will be in the spotlight again at the 2025 Motocross of Nations at the latest—this time in the jersey of the Belgian national team.