LUCAS COENEN PUSHES TO THE MAX FOR 2ND OVERALL AT BRUTAL FRENCH MXGP

After a hiatus of five weeks, MXGP clicked into gear for the French Grand Prix and a journey back to the compact circuit of Lacapelle Marival for the first time since 2021. The rough, rutty and hard-packed track is located near the center of the historic town. The climate was hot and sunny with fans loading the condensed spectator zones. The tight layout and technical nature of the terrain meant strong starts were essential for hopes of the podium and small misjudgments were punished.

Lucas Coenen explored the few lines and possibilities for overtaking on Saturday as he recovered from a mediocre start to gain positions and finish P3; earning the same slot on the gate for the motos. The Belgian aced his launch in the first moto and led from the opening lap until the finish for his sixth checkered flag of the season. Lucas then had to purse the leader in a dusty second outing (after a restart due to a first corner pile-up). Coenen used all his energy and possibilities in a race-long chase but couldn’t overtake and was just 0.9 of a second from the winner at the line.

Andrea Adamo secured points with P8 in the Saturday Qualification Heat, that also served to guide the premier class rookie in a direction for strategy on Sunday. Adamo started the first moto strongly and rode behind his teammate for a short spell before taking a solid P5. In the second race Andrea survived the skirmishes in the two starts and ran top seven for the duration. His 5-7 meant 6th overall and his second-best result of the year.

Simon Laengenfelder pushed to P4 in the first moto on Sunday. The German made a better start compared to his Qualification Heat on Saturday. The world champion then circulated in the top six in the second race but a late crash while losing balance out of a turn cost him a position to Sacha Coenen. His 4-7 card was enough for 5th overall.

Sacha Coenen was unable to stretch his unbeaten run in Saturday Qualification Heats to six Grands Prix on Saturday but was hopeful for more points on Sunday with his sights set on his teammate in the standings. Two errors in the first moto meant Sacha could not rise higher than P8 but he was more consistent in the second race and managed to profit from Simon’s misfortune to grab P6. He was P7 on the day.

Laengenfelder and Coenen are divided by just 8 points at the peak of the MX2 table.

The EMX125 European Championship reached the halfway point with round five of ten at Lacapelle. The event was owned by two KTM 125 SX-equipped Austrians in the forms of Ricardo Bauer and Moritz Ernecker; the teenagers won both motos and finished 1-2 respectively. The pair also front the championship standings with Ernecker defending a 38-point margin from his countryman.

Round seven of 2026 MXGP takes place next weekend and will pull the series into the narrow hardpack of Talkessel in Teutschenthal for the Grand Prix of Germany.

Lucas Coenen, 1st and 2nd for 2nd overall in MXGP: “Honestly, I was careful today and I didn’t quite understand why the first race was stopped but, anyway, we regrouped for the second start and I almost had the holeshot. I did everything I could: going left, going right and I couldn’t do any more. I felt like I was faster in some places and then trying also to avoid the roost. I felt also that I was the fastest guy today…but it was important to stay close in the championship and take the points. We all know it will be a long one. We’ll keep working like this towards the next round.”

Andrea Adamo, 5th and 7th for 6th overall in MXGP: “A pretty good weekend, pretty solid. I think I could have done a bit better in the second moto but I was not feeling the best. The track was drier and it was harder to find the lines and the right rhythm. P6 overall and only a few points from the podium. We need to keep working to get even closer. A satisfying GP.”

Simon Laengenfelder, 4th and 7th for 5th overall in MX2: “Not too easy this weekend. I struggled with the starts so I need to keep working there. I was quite happy with my riding; just that crash towards the end of the last moto, which was frustrating but I’m OK. The track was flat and small and it was really, really difficult to pass. Germany next and it will be cool. We’ll see how the racing goes there.”

Sacha Coenen, 8th and 6th for 7th overall in MX2: “A bit of an up-and-down weekend. I led the first moto and had a good flow but then washed the front. It was a mistake, even though I’m still not sure how it happened! I found my flow again but then another mistake. P8. I didn’t have such a good start in the second moto and made my way up from P10. I was riding safe because the track was really sketchy. I few positives today, and we’re already looking ahead to Teutschenthal.”

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Honda, 2-1
2. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 1-2
3. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 7-3
4. Kay de Wolf (NED) Husqvarna, 4-5
6. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 5-7

2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Honda, 284
3. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 231
4. Kay de Wolf (NED) Husqvarna, 187
9. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 171

1. Guillem Farres (ESP), Triumph, 1-1
2. Camden McLellan (RSA), Triumph, 3-2
3. Mathis Valin (FRA), Kawasaki, 2-3
4. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna 5-4
5. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 4-7
7. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 8-6

3. Guillem Farres (ESP), Triumph, 261
4. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna, 245