Tanel Leok facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tanel Leok
Leok at Glen Helen 2010.
Nationality	Estonian
Born	(1985-06-01) 1 June 1985 (age 40) Võru, Estonia
Motocross career
Years active	2001 – present
Teams	KTM, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, TM, Husqvarna
Grands Prix	278 (13 125cc, 12 MX2, 153 MX1 and 100 MXGP)
Wins	3 (3 MX1)
GP debut	2001 GP da Holanda, 125cc
First GP win	2008 Irish GP, MX1

Tanel Leok, born on June 1, 1985, is a professional motocross racer from Estonia. He has been competing in the Motocross World Championships since 2001.

Tanel Leok's Early Life

Tanel was born in Võru, Estonia. Today, he lives in Balen, Belgium. His dad, Arvo Leok, was also a motocross rider. He got Tanel into the sport when he was very young. Tanel went to Sõmerpalu Primary school in Estonia. He stayed there until he was 16 years old. At 16, he decided to become a full-time racer.

Tanel's Racing Career

Starting Out Strong

Tanel Leok was the first rider to win two junior world titles. He won the 85 cc FIM World Cup in 2000. The next year, in 2001, he won the 125cc FIM Junior World Cup. He started racing semi-professionally in the middle of 2001. At just 15 years old, he qualified for several Grand Prix (GP) races. In 2001, he also won his first senior title. He became the German 125cc champion. People started calling him "The Estonian Express" because of his fast and unique racing style.

2002–2003: Riding for KTM

In 2002, Tanel joined his first professional team, Vangani Racing KTM. His teammates were Tyla Rattray and Ben Townley. In 2003, the team changed its name to Bruforce Racing. They still rode KTM motorcycles. By this time, Tanel had definitely become a top motocross racer.

2004: Switching to Suzuki

After some good races in the 125cc class in 2003, Tanel moved up. He started racing in the 250cc class for the Motovision Racing Suzuki team in 2004. He made a big impression that season. He was the only top rider still using a two-stroke bike in his class. He became well-known for his intense battles on the track. He often raced against champions like Stefan Everts.

2005–2008: Years with Kawasaki

Tanel Leok in June 2008

At the end of 2004, Tanel signed a two-year deal. He joined the Kawasaki factory team. This team was led by the famous champion maker, Jan De Groot. On April 2, 2006, Tanel got his first podium finish. This was in the MX1 class of the FIM Motocross World Championships in Zolder, Belgium. His contract was extended for another two years in late 2006. After many podium finishes, Tanel Leok won his first MX1 Grand Prix. This happened in Ireland on August 31, 2008. He earned 9 podiums and 1449 points with the Kawasaki team.

2009: Racing for Yamaha

Tanel Leok in June 2009

After the 2008 season, Red Bull Yamaha De Carli announced their plans. They would move to MX1-GP in 2009. Their riders would be Antonio Cairoli and Tanel Leok. The 2009 season started great for Tanel. He won the Italian MX1 motocross championships. He beat Cairoli by 5 points (158–153). He also won the first GP of the season in Faenza, Italy. This made him the first rider to wear the red plate, showing he was the world championship leader. 2009 was a steady year for Leok. He only had two races where he had to stop early.

2010: Joining Honda

Tanel signed with Honda on September 27, 2009. For the 2010 season, he joined the LS Motors Honda team. His teammate was Davide Guarneri. In his first season with LS Motors Honda, Tanel chose his "legendary" riding number 40. He first used this number in the MX1 class in 2004. He also got his first personal driving trainer, Marnicq Bervoets. This was a very important change for Leok. His first race with Honda was on February 7, 2010. It was the Mantua Starcross. He had good starts, finishing 3rd in the second race and 1st in the third. Overall, he placed 6th because he had to stop early in the first race. Tanel Leok finished 2nd to Guarneri in the Italian MX1 motocross championships. Leok lost the championship by 17 points (152–135). On May 16, 2010, Leok won the second race. He was the overall winner in the Grand Prix of Catalunya.

2011: Riding for TM

In September 2010, Tanel signed with TM Racing Factory Team. His first race with TM was on February 19–20, 2011. It was at the Mantova Starcross. Leok finished second in all three races. He was also second overall, behind David Philippaerts. The 2011 season was not great for Tanel. He had several crashes and bike problems. The best part of this season was winning the holeshot in the Grand Prix of Czech Republic. The worst part was a crash in the Grand Prix of Great Britain.

2012: Back with Suzuki

In October 2011, Tanel signed with Rockstar Energy Suzuki World MX1 team. This was a Suzuki factory team. His teammate for the 2012 season was Clement Desalle. On February 5, 2012, Tanel Leok raced in snowy and icy conditions. He finished second overall against 1080 riders. This was at the Enduropale Du Touquet Beach Race in northern France. He was less than two minutes behind the winner, Jean-Claude Mousse. Leok's best race in 2012 was in the Benelux GP. There, he got his only podium finish of the season.

2013: Honda and TM

In September 2012, Tanel signed with the British motocross team Route77energy MVR-D Honda. His teammate for the 2013 season was Jason Dougan. On June 2, Tanel crashed badly and broke his collarbone. This made him miss two races. By the end of the month, Route77 Honda left the World Motocross Championship. They had financial problems. Before the Swedish Grand Prix, Leok rejoined the TM Racing Factory Team.

2014: Sticking with TM

In November 2013, Tanel re-signed with the Italian motocross team TM Ricci Racing. His teammate for the 2014 season was Davide Guarneri. Tanel Leok did not have the best start to this season. He had a knee injury that he got during the off-season.

2015: Riding for Kawasaki Again

"The Estonian Express," Tanel Leok, signed a deal with the British-based LPE Kawasaki Team for the next year. After many years in the Grand Prix races, Leok decided to focus on the British MX1 Championship. He also raced in the MX Nationals in Great Britain. Tanel had a good season in the British Championship. He finished second in the championship with LPE Kawasaki.

2016–2021: Years with Husqvarna

Tanel Leok signed a deal to join the MVR-D team for the third time in his career. His team stayed on good terms, and Tanel raced the British championship for them in 2016. The team decided to use Husqvarna bikes in 2016, switching from Honda.

In September 2016, Tanel signed with the 8Biano Husqvarna racing team. His teammate for the 2017 season was Rui Goncalves.

Leok, who used to be a factory rider, became a privateer in the 2018 season. He also became the team manager for his own A1 Motorsport Husqvarna team.

Tanel Leok holds a world record for the most Motocross of Nations performances. He has raced 19 years in a row and made it to the final 19 times. He achieved his 19th race in the 2019 Motocross des Nations.

The A1 Motorsports Husqvarna privateer lined up for the second race in Kegums during the 2020 season. This was his 500th Grand Prix race! This is an amazing achievement for the Estonian rider. On November 3, 2020, Tanel Leok announced his retirement. He said the Kegums round in Latvia next year would be the last of his 20-year career.

Career Summary

Tanel Leok celebrating a win in 2010

Tanel's Family Life

Tanel Leok married Karoliina Karu on October 11, 2008. They have three sons together. Their first son, Sebastian, was born on December 3, 2007. Travis Leok was born on April 14, 2010. Their youngest son, Leon Leok, was born on March 14, 2015. Tanel's cousin, Aigar Leok, is also a motocross racer.