Former Grand Prix winner Ken De Dycker is set to return to the starting gate. The 42-year-old Belgian announced on social media that he will compete in the EMX Open during the MXGP of Flanders at Lommel.

De Dycker last competed in 2021, racing in a round of the European Open Championship in Oss, where he finished sixth. Two weeks later, he also lined up in the EMX 2-Stroke class at Lommel and crossed the finish line in fourth place. Five years later, the Belgian will once again make his appearance in the EMX Open.

For 2026, Infront Moto Racing had originally announced a new qualification system featuring regional qualifying events. However, those plans were eventually scrapped due to the low number of entries. As a result, the EMX Open European Championship will once again be decided in a single event at Lommel.

“This old guy has climbed back on the bike to prepare for the EMX Open at the MXGP of Flanders in Lommel. Will I still be as fast as I was seventeen years ago? Probably not. A few years older, a few kilos heavier, and a lot fewer training hours have naturally taken their toll. But that’s no longer what it’s all about for me. I’m doing this because I still absolutely love riding, because I want to have fun, and above all because I want to share this special experience with my family and friends. See you in the sand! A huge thank you to KTM and all of my sponsors for making this possible.”