Brandon Clarke
Enzo Temmerman’s pro motocross debut at Fox Raceway left a strong impression—not just on the results sheet, but on anyone paying attention. The Team Green Kawasaki rider clawed his way into the top 20 overall, finishing 18th in Moto 1 and 17th in Moto 2. Both motos saw him start well outside the top 20, yet he battled through the chaos to finish as the top 250 rookie—beating several factory riders in the process. Yes, you could make the argument that Drew Adams and Denmark’s Mikkel Haarup are both rookies. However, Drew raced 2024 Ironman, and Mikkel was a consistent top 5 MX2 finisher in Europe.
“I actually liked the longer motos,” Temmerman chuckled, unfazed by the 35-minute grind that tests even seasoned pros. “I felt good all the way to the end. It helped that the weather was perfect—70 degrees, not too hot.”
Despite racing on his amateur-spec Team Green bike—which he admits is a little underpowered compared to full-blown pro setups—Temmerman held his own. Even though Team Green is one of the most prestigious amateur teams, Enzo was pitted out of his own private rig like a true privateer.
“We were out there on our own,” he said. “But for the last couple SMX rounds, I was lucky enough to pit under the factory 450 rig since they had some room. That was sick.”
Now with his debut jitters behind him, Temmerman heads to Hangtown with confidence—and expectations. Considered his home track, Hangtown is one he knows well and has had success at during his amateur career.
“I’ve done well there in amateurs, and I definitely like it more than Pala. The layout suits me better, and it’s close to home,” he said. “The goal is to go top 15 in both motos this weekend.”
Enzo’s summer racing schedule is a carefully balanced mix of pro exposure and amateur goals. Because he’s limited to just three Pro Motocross rounds in order to stay eligible for Loretta Lynn’s and Mammoth, he’ll follow up Hangtown with Washougal as his final Pro National before potentially lining up at Ironman later this summer.
“We’ll see how everything feels after Loretta’s,” he said. “I’m just taking it round by round.”
While many top amateurs are eyeing the SMX Combine as a stepping stone to the pros, Temmerman is taking a different route. He’s opting to skip the opening round in favor of racing the Washougal regional that same weekend—his chance to qualify for what is likely his final Loretta’s. It’s a calculated decision that reflects his commitment to closing out his amateur career on a high note, even as his pro potential becomes harder to ignore.
At 17, Temmerman is in the final year of his amateur contract with Team Green. While nothing is official, the goal is clear.
“I’d love to stay with Kawasaki and sign with Pro Circuit. That’s the dream,” he said. “I’ve always looked up to that team.”
So far, Temmerman has proven he belongs in the mix. If Hangtown goes the way he’s aiming, a top-15 finish could be just the start. With a relentless work ethic, steady consistency, and a growing presence, he’s setting himself up for a strong close to his amateur chapter. If you’re not paying attention yet, now’s the time.
Main image: octopi.media
