Meeting with Evan Boxberger during the test session organized by Johann Zarco in Cartagena, who talks about his reality as a high school driver and his dreams of Grand Prix racing.
We continue our series of interviews conducted in Cartagena, as part of the track day organized by Johann zarco, with Evan Boxberger.
Originally from Manosque, the 16-year-old Frenchman arrived in European Talent Cup in 2024, now renamed from this year as the Moto4 European Cup. He rides for the JEG Racing team and juggles between classes, training and high-level races, with the wish to join the Grand Prix in the coming years.
Hi Evan. You're about to play your third season in the European Talent Cup. How did 2025 go and what are your goals for 2026?
I learned and progressed throughout the year, fighting harder and harder at the front, but the season was a bit complicated. This year I'm continuing in the category, with the ambition of being in the top 5 and top 10 regularly, competing at the front, so that I can then move up to Moto3 Junior.
What are your medium and long-term goals?
I would like to reach Grand Prix within three or four years and, in the long term, it's simply to go to MotoGP.
Is that what made you want to ride a motorcycle?
Yes, I think it's about watching the riders and the Grand Prix on TV, whether it's MXGP or MotoGP.
Do you have a model?
Marc Marquez.
You can already ride alongside a MotoGP rider, Johann Zarco, during these two days. How was this riding session organized?
I had already done a ride with Johann and Antoine [Nativi, his teammate[Editor's note] in Alcarràs in August. He helps the team a bit and he helps us, so he contacted the team to invite us. It allows us to resume the season.
It's great because Johann helps us. He tries to do laps with us, he gives us advice. And then, it allows us to review and rework what we saw last season, which wasn't necessarily good. It's good, it gives us a day of riding.
David Da Costa, Evan Boxberger, Antoine Nativi and Johann Zarco.
Is it difficult to find opportunities to train?
In France, the weather isn't great at the moment, so it's a bit complicated. But we're lucky that the team is based in Spain, so we can do weeks of training with the team and our teammates.
How exactly do you train?
I have a physical training regimen; I train every day. After that, I ride my motorcycle, trying to do it two or three times a week. Right now, during the winter, I ride motocross. I mainly ride on tracks when I go down to Spain, because the temperatures aren't warm enough in France yet.
On this ride there is no number on your motorcycle, but you are riding with number 36. Why this choice?
I was riding with number 34 because I was born on April 30th (30 and 4), but it wasn't available. Then I chose number 33, but it wasn't available again [laughs]. I took number 36 and I like it.
Finally, how do you manage your studies alongside motorcycling at this level?
I'm in my first year of STMG (Science and Technology of Management and Business), enrolled in CNED (National Centre for Distance Education), and doing my schoolwork remotely. It's a bit complicated, but I try to set aside specific study hours alongside my practice sessions. Being remote helps a lot. I try to manage both as best I can.
