Joe Brookes or Julius Mikula: who will get the HRC works contract?

The season is drawing to a close and the rider reshuffles in the MX2 World Championship are likely to depend primarily on two factors: whether Valerio Lata leaves HRC and whether Simon Längenfelder moves up to MXGP. Rumours have been circulating in the World Championship paddock for some time that Lata could be moving to Red Bull KTM. Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but Honda intends to continue its MX2 programme in future and needs a rider to do so.

Joe Brookes shines in the EMX250

Briton Joe Brookes competes in the EMX250 European Championship; he switched from Triumph to Honda during the season and was most recently kitted out with factory-spec equipment by HRC. In Sweden, he turned up with an HRC factory exhaust and, with a 4-3 result, took second place on the podium behind winner Francisco Garcia (Kawasaki). Garcia has already been confirmed as a Kawasaki works rider in MX2 for next year. Brookes could be a potential candidate for the HRC MX2 programme should Lata leave HRC.

Julius Mikula: Best privateer

The Czech Osicka-KTM rider is ranked 10th in the World Championship standings, making him the best privateer in the MX2 World Championship. It would therefore make sense for Mikula to stay with KTM and be offered a factory contract. On the sidelines of the Falta Memorial in Kostelec near Prague, well-informed sources close to Mikula reported that negotiations with HRC were underway. From Honda’s perspective, this would also make sense, as the young Czech’s talent is evident.

Der Tscheche Julius Mikula ist in der MX2 der beste Privatfahrer

Foto: Thoralf Abgarjan

Naturally, the truth of these rumours cannot be independently verified. The manufacturers operate behind the scenes and guard their plans like state secrets. Both options would make sense for HRC, but the reality may well be quite different. The fact is: Mikula and Brookes are talented riders who are being watched by the factory teams and who have a bright future ahead of them if they can secure a place in a competitive team.