The Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP and MX2 teams are locked in for a busy weekend as they head into the 14th round of the FIM Motocross World Championship in Lommel, Belgium. This round is particularly special as it brings the action close to home for the teams, with the event taking place just a short distance from their bases in Belgium and The Netherlands.
Recognised as one of the most demanding circuits in the world, Lommel lies approximately 45 kilometres from the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP team headquarters. Its deep, rough, and brutal sand challenges both man and machine, making it a true test of performance.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP’s duo of Tim Gajser and Maxime Renaux are set to do business at the Monster Energy MXGP of Flanders. Gajser is no stranger to the podium in Lommel, with three wins and four podium finishes to his name. After a week focused on preparing for the sand, he is ready to fight for a place on the box.
Renaux, meanwhile, has done a day of riding in the sand this week, prepping for the track’s notorious physical beatdown. The Frenchman knows survival at ‘Lommelwood’ hinges on late-race stamina, so he’s zeroed in on closing out both motos strong. However, the #959 faces a particularly challenging weekend while still battling health issues. He hasn’t ridden in the sand for more than two months due to his ongoing health problems, making his preparation even more critical. Despite these setbacks, he remains determined to give his best this weekend.
In MX2, the Dutch-based Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 team heads into Lommel with serious momentum. Karlis Reisulis arrives fresh off his first ever MX2 podium in Loket—a hard-earned milestone that highlights a season of steady progress. Meanwhile, younger brother Janis has found his groove as a rookie and has become a consistent podium challenger. Both Latvians thrive in the sand and arrive hungry for more trophies.
Rounding out the action in MX2, the MXGP of Flanders welcomes reigning WMX World Champion Lotte van Drunen as a wild card. The 18-year-old Dutch star is the only female in recent memory to line up against the men in this class—a bold statement in itself. She arrives with realistic expectations, simply looking to gain experience and learn from the world’s fastest riders.
Finally, the Belgian Grand Prix will host the ninth round of the EMX250 Championship, with VHR Yamaha Official EMX250’s young Belgian Jarne Bervoets aiming for a season-best finish. Bervoets won the final round of the EMX125 championship in Lommel last year aboard his GYTR kitted YZ125; now in his rookie EMX250 season on the GYTR YZ250F he’s had a middling year but knows he’s fast in the sand and is eager to showcase that speed on home soil once again.
Tim Gajser
4th MXGP Championship Standings, 489-points
“I’m feeling okay. We’ve done quite a few back-to-back races already this year, so we are used to the tight schedule. Lommel is a place we all know, and we know it is one of the toughest GPs, so we know what to expect. It’s going to be very hot over the weekend, so it will be physically and mentally demanding, as always. I went straight to Belgium after Loket to ride in the sand, to test some things, and to have everything as ready as possible. I’ve had some good races there, I’ve won a few times, so I have some good memories, but I’ve also had some bad. The goal is to try to have fun, ride like I know, be smooth and find a good flow in the sand, especially when it’s rough. That’s my goal: to be at my best.”
Maxime Renaux
7th MXGP Championship Standings, 408-points
“Going into the third GP in a row, recovery is my main priority, so I am going to use this week to try to recover as much as I can from Loket. Obviously, having to race Lommel this weekend is not going to be easy for me in my current condition, and with the health struggles I’m facing, but I will try to make the most of it. I am going to try to ride once this week in the sand, because I have not touched sand in a couple of months due to the virus I have. I will race this weekend without any expectation. I am just going to try to do my best and see where I end up.”
Janis Reisulis
6th MX2 Championship Standings, 476-points
“I’m feeling good and still fresh. I’m really excited for this race because I love sand and feel I can do well there. Endurance in the sand comes down to riding style, and I believe I have what it takes to fight until the last lap. I’ve only been there twice before, both on a 125, and I won both times — so I’d like to make it three. My goal is to play with the track to feel free on the bike while saving as much energy as possible.”
Karlis Reisulis
7th MX2 Championship Standings, 376-points
“I’m feeling good, I like the track of Lommel, I got my first-ever top-five finish in MX2 there, that’s a very nice memory to arrive with. I’ve been missing the sand, so I look forward to racing a sand GP. To prepare for this kind of physical track, I just do simulations during my training. I feel good, I’m looking forward to it. My goal is to find my flow and enjoy this nice GP.”
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