Collin Veijer: “Finishing in the Top 5 is one of my main goals this year”
The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider aims to take another step forward in his second season in the intermediate class after finishing his rookie year in great shape.
Collin Veijer wants to be consistently among the fastest competitors in Moto2 in 2026, as well as continuing to develop as a rider. After a great preseason, the 21-year-old has high aspirations for the campaign alongside his friend Jose Antonio Rueda, who will accompany him in the Red Bull KTM Ajo lineup.
Your first Moto2 season began with an adaptation process and also an injury. In the second half of the year, you managed to change the dynamic. How would you define your 2025?
“I think I’d give the season a 7 out of 10. The start of the year wasn’t great, first with the family problems I had and then with the injury. But in the end, after the summer break, we turned things around and we were in the Top 10 almost the entire time from then on.”
Did you expect to be as far off the pace as you were at the start of the season? And at the same time, did you expect to be as close as you were in the end?
“Yes, I would say that I did. I definitely expected it to be difficult at the beginning of the season. The problem is that on top of that, there was everything else that happened in my personal life for the loss of my little cousin. I started the year with my mind on other things, not feeling very strong in that respect, and also with an arm injury that required surgery. So perhaps I did expect it to be difficult, but maybe not that difficult. On the other hand, I was also very clear that by the end of the year we could be up at the top, since in the first few Grands Prix after the summer break, we realised we were competitive. I was eagerly awaiting my first podium, and it finally happened in Portimao.”
This year you are sharing a team with Jose Antonio Rueda, with whom you are good friends. After recently struggling to adapt to Moto2, what advice would you give him for his rookie year?
“First, I would tell him not to worry about what happens at the beginning of the season, because he knows perfectly well that he’s a fast rider and that he didn’t get to this class as someone who paid for his ride. If he’s been chosen to move up in class, it’s for a reason, and it’s important to always keep that in mind. Mainly, I want to tell him to stay calm and trust the process. He shouldn’t pay attention to outside opinions and focus on those around him, his team, and his family. In my case, I made a mistake in that respect and cared a lot about what people said and thought. When I started to pay less attention to what I was hearing from the outside, things flowed much more smoothly.”
In the latter part of 2025, you finished in a way that allows you to, let’s say, dream big. What are your realistic goals for 2026?
“I think finishing in the Top 5 is one of my main goals for this year. Obviously, I have other things in mind that I’d like to accomplish, but I don’t want to focus on that right now. We have to take things one step at a time, and I think finishing in the Top 5 is an ambitious but realistic goal.”
It’s common to see you training a lot on your bike, but also in many other disciplines… from Trial to Supermotard, Motocross, speed with the 600 and even iRacing. How important is this part that nobody sees, but which is essential to being a more complete rider?
“To be honest, I’m always busy with motorcycles, bicycles, cars, or anything I can drive or ride. I do it because I enjoy it. Many riders have the problem of trying to relax too much when there is no racing, and trying not to train as much after a Grand Prix, but I think it’s better not to stop. I really enjoy my job, and I think that’s a very positive thing. In fact, on my day off, even without training, I can easily spend all day playing iRacing. I don’t stop, even in my free time.”
You have spent many weeks training in Spain during the winter. Are you arriving in better shape than you were at the start of 2025?
“Yes, much better. This year the winter has been much easier on a personal level, so I’m fitter and better prepared than last year. Mentally, I’m definitely stronger now, and overall, I feel much better. Plus, we’ve been on the bike or a motorcycle for many days. I think I’ve only spent five days at home in the Netherlands this winter. I’ve been in Mallorca or Barcelona, or at least in Spain, the whole time. I’ve dedicated a lot of quality time to preparing for this season.”
After your first Moto2 year done, in what ways do you think you’re a better rider now?
“I’m calmer in general. I don’t care what people say, I don’t care what people think of me. I listen a lot to my inner circle, the people who are with me, my team, my parents, my manager, my coach, and my best friend. That’s it. I don’t listen to anyone else talking about me. Even if it’s someone very important, it won’t matter that much to me. I’m more focused and I don’t worry as much about certain situations, since you always have to be focused, working hard, and avoid ups and downs to be able to demonstrate consistency and potential. I’m focused on myself, and I think that’s the most important thing of all.
As a rider, I don’t think there’s a big difference. I think it’s more a matter of getting in sync with the bike, understanding it, knowing how to ride it and how to react in every situation. Now I understand every situation much better, and that helps me off track too, to feel good about myself and my surroundings.”
In short, Collin has clear objectives and a clear way of working, which could greatly make easier his progress in one of the most competitive categories. With Thailand in his sights, the #95 Red Bull KTM Ajo rider is aiming high for his second season with the team, with whom he hopes to achieve many more podium finishes to follow on from his Grand Prix of Portugal second place at the end of last year.
