Hutten Metaal Yamaha signs 14-year-old talent Dave Kooiker
By Team TMX on 21st Feb 20
European Motocross Dave Kooiker
Yamaha Motor Europe is pleased to announce that the Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 Team has finalised their 2020 rider line up with the addition of Dave Kooiker, a 14-year-old Dutch prodigy who will start the season contesting the EMX125 series but with the goal of stepping up to EMX250 once he has gained experience aboard the Yamaha YZ250F.
Inspired by the structure of Yamaha Motor Europes bLU cRU project that works to nurture, develop and guide young riders from grassroots level to the very pinnacle of the sport, the Hutten Metaal Team are delighted to welcome Kooiker as a replacement for Raivo Dankers, who was released from his contract by mutual consent.
Kooiker joined the Yamaha Family in 2018 and enjoyed immediate success onboard his YZ85 with an impressive second-place finish in the second race at the 2018 FIM Junior Motocross World Championship in Australia, where he finished fourth overall in the final classification.
At 13-years-of-age, the motivated youngster stepped up to the highly competitive EMX125 championship, where he qualified for the main event at every round that he attended. While the Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 teams primary focus is on the EMX250 Championship with their top riders Thibault Benistant and Gianluca Facchetti, they are committed to assisting Kooiker with his transition from a GYTR kitted YZ125 to a GYTR kitted YZ250F during the 2020 season.
Kooiker suffered a minor injury while training in Spain and will miss the opening round of the EMX125 Championship, which takes place at Matterley Basin in Winchester, England, but is expected to be fit enough to resume his training schedule at the end of April.
Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 Technical Manager, Henk Zanting: We have watched Dave ride since he was a little kid, so we have always had an eye on what he is doing and how he is progressing. He is very young, which is exciting, and he lives close to our workshop which makes it easier for us to give him the support he needs while his childhood remains normal. Dave will still do some races on a 125cc, but we are looking forward to helping him get acquainted with our GYTR kitted YZ250F and start the buildup for 2021 later this season.
Hutten Metaal Yamaha Official EMX250 rider, Dave Kooiker: I am very happy to get this opportunity I think it is a good step for me. At the moment I am injured, but I hope to get back on the bike as soon as I can and get the best out of what is left of the season, and to see whats possible. Im ready to go for it!
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