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Inside the mindset of Rasmus Jørgensen: A leadership philosophy built on trust and growth

When you meet Rasmus Jørgensen, you quickly realise that success isn’t solely built on titles – it’s rooted in passion, resilience and an unwavering belief in people. Calm yet driven, Rasmus carries a quiet confidence shaped by experience and perseverance. For him, leadership isn’t about control; it’s about “creating an environment where growth feels natural and every individual can thrive”. He speaks with intention and values trust above all else, seeing it as the foundation for building champions both on and off the track. His passion for motocross is undeniable, but what truly defines him is his commitment to people – the riders, the team, and the relationships that make success possible.

Get to know Rasmus Jørgensen, Team Manager of Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing. In his exclusive interview with Husqvarna, he dives into his leadership approach and shares valuable insights on the mindset that shapes the team’s success and the growth of its riders.

Team success grows from the right mindset and the development of each rider, with Rasmus leading Kay de Wolf and Liam Everts along their racing journey. Picture: Fullspectrum Media

From Danish champion to team manager: A journey of resilience

Rasmus Jørgensen’s path was anything but predictable. His journey to becoming one of the youngest team managers in the paddock started far from the spotlight.

“I’m from a very normal family in Denmark, without motocross background… My dad bought me a bike when I was four years old, and I immediately fell in love with riding.”

By nine, he was already Danish champion – the youngest ever on a 65cc bike. His talent earned him contracts with renowned brands and by 17, he was racing MX2 World Championships. Then, life changed in an instant.

“I got involved in a traffic accident, which basically stopped my career.”

That turning point didn’t end his passion – it reshaped it: “I wanted to do something for the sport and work with young riders… that was the start of the next chapter.”

Determined to give back, Rasmus built strong networks and joined Husqvarna, moving to Belgium as a trainer before becoming Team Manager. Today, he draws on those experiences to lead with trust, growth and passion – values that shape the riders and the results.

Rasmus’s passion for motocross and his desire to work closely with riders shape the way he leads, bringing his own experience into every step. Pictures: Fullspectrum Media

Rasmus’s motivation: Why a passionate team matters most

After six years as a team manager, he feels more at ease in the role. When he first stepped in at 27, he was the youngest team manager in a factory paddock and felt pressure to prove himself among far more experienced colleagues. He soon realised that perfection doesn’t exist – a lesson that shaped his approach.

“I wanted everything to be perfect, and this took a few years. Still today, I don't think I’ve figured it out… because perfection doesn’t exist.”

Does the success of your riders now drive your motivation, or what motivates you beyond titles and trophies?

“I think it’s a mix of things that fulfil me in this job. Winning GPs and fighting for championships is always the goal, but my motivation goes deeper. What truly drives me is seeing a well‑functioning team with happy riders working with passion and professionalism – that is incredibly rewarding. And when you have a strong team and riders who feel comfortable, it usually shows in the results. Hopefully, we can keep building on that and fight for another title and many more GP victories.”

For Rasmus, the greatest motivation comes from seeing a well‑functioning team and riders who are genuinely happy. Watching them work with passion is what makes his role incredibly rewarding. Pictures: Fullspectrum Media

The bigger picture: Shaping success and growth beyond winning

Besides the moment of the first GP win, Rasmus is witnessing another highlight: a rider’s personal growth.

“One thing that has been amazing for me is taking Kay de Wolf in so young. Watching him grow from a boy into a man and ultimately becoming a World Champion has been incredible.”

What stood out to you in your first interaction with Kay, and what made you believe in his potential?

“In the beginning, it was all about his skills. His talent, his technique and eagerness to ride. He loved being on the bike. From the first moment I saw him, he was incredibly efficient and impressive at such an early stage. On top of that, he’s a natural, charismatic and likeable person – which is always a plus.”

Proud moments and joyful faces behind the scenes at the FIM Motocross World Championship in Lugo, Spain, 2025. Pictures: Fullspectrum Media

Great mentoring is about understanding the individual — creating the right environment for each rider to unlock their potential and perform at their best. Kay de Wolf at the FIM MX2 World Championship in Trentino, 2025. Picture: Fullspectrum Media

How do you adapt your mentoring style to fit different personalities and build trust with the riders?

“You need to create the right environment for each rider to reach their full potential. Every rider is different in their mentality, mindset and how they look at life, so you have to adapt the entire programme. You must know your riders well and understand which buttons to push for them to perform at their best.”

Leading a new generation of riders: How trust and empowerment drives team success

One key quality of a team manager today, Rasmus says, is understanding the new generation of riders: “The younger generation’s mentality is very different from 10 years ago. Being younger myself helps me to understand them and adapt quickly as things evolve. They are more open, which makes building strong connections easier.”

If you had to describe your leadership philosophy in a few words?

“I focus on short, clear communication channels. I trust my team to do a good job, and people grow when you give them responsibility. Behind the scenes, it’s all about teamwork.”

Clear communication and trust within the team embody the core of Rasmus’ leadership philosophy. Picture: Fullspectrum Media

Rasmus at the track during the 2025 MX2 World Championship Motocross weekend in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. Picture: Fullspectrum Media

If you have critical race moments, how do you make decisions?

“The weekends are almost the easiest part because the schedule is clear, you know that we're going to race, and there is a game plan to try to get the maximum out of every situation.

But there are harder moments, where you have to tell a rider: ‘Look, you are not racing this weekend.’ If they feel ready and you have to say ‘No, we are not going to race and believe it’s better to take extra time to get properly ready’, those conversations are never easy.”

Double power for 2026: Kay de Wolf and Liam Everts prepared for the racing season

For the new season, the team takes on a fresh dynamic: Kay de Wolf moves up to MXGP on the FC 450, while Liam Everts continues his rise in MX2. Kay brings the confidence of a world title, and Liam’s strong comeback and consistency make him a key contender. Together, they set up an exciting year for the team in both classes.

A new chapter begins for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing in 2026, with Kay de Wolf stepping up to MXGP and Liam Everts back to full fitness in MX2. Picture: Bavo Swijgers

Liam Everts enters the 2026 racing season with fresh expectations and a strong comeback behind him. Pictures: Fullspectrum Media

What are your expectations for Liam in the upcoming season?

“For Liam it wasn’t the ideal start into our partnership. Shortly after we signed, he suffered a serious injury in China. As a team, we didn’t want to put pressure on him and simply focused on supporting him. It helped to build the relationship and start the season with no pressure. He did amazingly with his rehabilitation, and we didn’t expect him to be ready. Once we got the green light, he went to Argentina, finished fourth, and after three rounds he had the red plate. Coming back from such an injury like that was impressive.

Now it's a new year, and the expectations are naturally higher – for him and for us. Fighting for the title, that's for sure the goal.”

Further looking ahead to 2026: With Kay stepping up, how do you prepare him for the move to MXGP?

“He had great last few years. But 2025 was a challenging year, with injuries in the middle of the season costing him many championship points. But closing such a big gap and to then coming close to actually winning the world title in the final race was incredible. After that comeback, he decided to move up.

It will be exciting to see how he transitions and how the class dynamic evolves. He’ll work hard this winter to reach his best level, battle with the top guys, and learn from the experienced riders. Our goal is to put him in a position to be competitive with the top riders and hopefully create good highlights.

We need to prepare him in the best possible way, because this premier class won’t be easy. The best approach is to focus on ourselves – keep the pressure low, execute and stay healthy.”

Liam Everts takes the win and Kay de Wolf finishes second, claiming the Red Plate for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing at the MXGP of Castilla‑La Mancha, Spain 2025. Pictures: Fullspectrum Media

Dreaming of a factory career: Rasmus’ words for young talents

While the elite of motocross seems perfectly prepared to kick off the new season, countless young riders are dreaming of a factory career, driven by their passion for motocross.

If you could give one piece of advice to young riders, who dream of a factory career, what would it be?

“It’s not only about the young riders – it’s also about the parents. Sometimes, the parents have bigger dreams than the riders themselves, and that never works. If that’s the case, you need to be honest and step back. Enjoy the sport and don’t take it too seriously.

For riders who truly want it and are willing to work… remember: the most beautiful thing about motocross is that you can’t buy success. You can gain much from working on yourself. And if you’re good enough and prove it, you have a chance of being picked up by a factory team.”

Thank you, Rasmus, for reminding us that true success is built not just on results, but on resilience, belief in people and the honesty to keep moving forward. Champions grow through trust and the relationships and values behind the scenes – and that is what truly inspires the next generation.

Impressions of unforgettable moments from across the racing seasons, reflecting great years shaped by passion, teamwork, and trust that drive the success of the team and the growth of each individual. Pictures: Fullspectrum Media