The Dutchman talks about the first part of the season and explains the keys to improving during the last part of the year.

Collin Veijer is tenth in the Moto2 overall standings at the halfway point of the 2026 season. The Dutch rider, who has one Pole Position and one podium finish to his name, reflects on how his second season in the intermediate class has begun and outlines the key factors needed to take another step forward in the second half of the year with Red Bull KTM Ajo.

With the first half of 2026 over, what mark would you give yourself?

At the moment, I would give the season a 5 out of 10. We’re not exactly where we want to be yet, so for me it’s not enough when we look at what we wanted to do this year. I would give only a 5, that way I have extra motivation for the second part of the year.  

Last year you suffered an injury that prevented you from becoming regular during the first part of the year.  Do you think you’ve managed to take a step forward with your fitness?

I still have a little injury to my shoulder from the US Grand Prix, but we’re managing it quite well and it’s gradually getting way better. Every time we’re on track there have been big improvements overall, so I’m very happy in general. I’m 100% sure we are much better physically than we were last year. 

You’re regularly in the Top 10 during all the weekend. What do you think is missing to make that final leap into the Top 5?

The final thing that we need to solve is my riding style, so for sure that’s one of the key points that we still need to change. I think that if we can fix that, we can make big steps forward. So, as soon as we fix those things, I think there could be a next nice chapter waiting for us.

Which do you consider to have been your best weekend so far, overall? 

Jerez and maybe Assen are probably two of the best ones so far. I think Jerez was the best experience of the year and I think we had one of the best weekends so far there, so let’s hope we can have more of them in the next few rounds. 

Some weeks ago, you enjoyed a very special home GP. How does it feel to be such an inspiration to so many people from your country?

A home round is a very nice thing to have, and the Dutch GP was a special event. It’s one of my favourites, experience wise; it’s amazing seeing a lot of people from your country supporting you. It’s always a very nice feeling. I really enjoyed Assen and I really hope next year we can make it an even bigger party.

“It’s amazing seeing a lot of people from your country supporting you. It’s always a very nice feeling. I really enjoyed Assen”

This year you’re sharing box with Rueda, who’s also had a difficult start as a rookie. Now that he’s taken his first solid step forward, what advice would you give him for the second half of the season?

The advice I would give to Rueda is to just keep going in the same way. He shouldn’t stress too much and try to keep his progress going. He’s doing a really good job and I was in the same situation as him last year, where you start to learn and sometimes you encounter a little bit of a dip. I’d tell him to stay focused, don’t think too far ahead, and try to be as consistent as possible, as that’s one of the real keys of the class.

And the final one, now you’re sitting in 10th place in the overall standings, and having scored far more points than in the first half of 2025. Which are your goals for the rest of the season?

The rest of the goals for the second half of the season are clear: We want to try to improve the things that we have been talking about already, since the start of the year, in terms of my riding style. We just need to get a better feeling and get into a flow on track. We will use the summer break to try to get to the front more regularly -or at least fight for the top positions again. I feel that we are able to do that if I keep my focus and find a good feeling .

In short, with 55.5 points to his name after the first eleven Grand Prix races, Veijer is keen to take another significant step forward before the end of 2026. To begin working towards that improvement, the Dutchman is already focusing on the next round of the Moto2 World Championship, which will take place next week at Silverstone as part of the British Grand Prix (7–8–9 August).