It has been a funny old debut professional season for 17-year-old Freddie Bartlett, from starting the year on an old Yamaha found in a barn, to being snapped up by a team, switching between MX1 and MX2, racing at the British Grand Prix and lining up at VMXdN, there certainly hasn’t been a shortage of change.
Now back racing as a privateer and heading to Blaxhall for the final round of the British Motocross Championship, we checked in with Freddie to find out how he views his season, what life in the UK away from his family has been like, and what he hopes comes next. With no confirmed team for 2027, a good result at Blaxhall could be just what he needs to secure a Team place for next season.
Dirt Hub: Freddie, it’s been a crazy season for you. How do you look back on it?
Freddie: “Well, it’s been a good season showing my speed, so I can’t really complain. Now I just need to settle down somewhere good where I belong.”
DH: You’ve shown you have the speed to run at the sharp end in both MX1 and MX2. How much have all the changes affected your results?
Freddie: “I enjoy the 450, but I’m too young. The problem is getting a fast bike in the 250s. I’m fast on both, but I need to say that the 250 is where I belong for my age.”
DH: You’ve ridden plenty of different bikes this year. Which has been your favourite?
Freddie: “As long as I’m on a bike I’ll enjoy it, coming from being on a 2020 Yamaha 250 at the beginning of the year and being sat at home without one at the end of last year.”
DH: Do you have a ride sorted for 2027, or is Blaxhall another chance to put yourself in the shop window?
Freddie: “Yeah, I definitely need to keep proving myself it seems… Even for Blaxhall I’ll be on a 2023 bike, lol.”
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DH: You’re still only 17 and have plenty of years ahead of you. What are your goals for the future?
Freddie: “My goal is to get involved with the right people that want to help me succeed as much as I do, as that is the key. Then I know where I stand.”
DH: Your family live in Sweden while you’re based in the UK. How tough is it being over here on your own?
Freddie: “Oh yeah, it’s unbelievably tough being on the other side of Europe by yourself and without a driver’s licence. Definitely a hard situation for me.”
DH: Do those hardships make you even more determined when you get on the bike?
Freddie: “Yeah, it definitely motivates me to keep going even with hard times.”
DH: A big result at Blaxhall would be a great way to finish the season. Where do you feel you’re capable of running?
Freddie: “The problem for me has been the starts. I know I can run inside the top five on a good day and even better.”
DH: Finally, what do you think you’ve learnt most from your debut professional season?
Freddie: “It’s all about how much the people around you want to help when you’re by yourself in a different country. If who you’re relying on loses motivation and drive halfway through a season, you can’t do much about it.
“So let’s just hope I can sort something out next year…”
