Alberto Forato sixth overall at the MXGP of Sardegna, Bertram Thorius close to the EMX125 podium

Alberto Forato delivered a strong showing at the MXGP of Sardegna, the first leg of an Italian double-header in the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship. Riding the Fantic XXF 450, Forato battled through challenging deep sand conditions in Riola, overcoming a heavy crash during the warm-up to finish sixth overall. His consistent pace across both races, including a brief stint in fifth place during the second race, underscored a positive trajectory for the Italian rider and the Fantic Factory Racing team. Fantic’s presence was further highlighted by Brent Van Doninck, who faced a more difficult weekend after twisting his ankle prior to the event. Despite a promising qualifying performance, Van Doninck crashed at the start of the first race and had to recover from the back of the pack, ultimately finishing 16th overall. He managed a stronger second race, finishing 12th, and expressed cautious optimism about his recovery and upcoming rounds, particularly the next home race in Arco di Trento. In the EMX125 class, 15-year-old Bertram Thorius narrowly missed out on a podium finish, placing fourth overall after a commendable recovery from a start crash in race one and a mid-race fall in race two. His consistent results have propelled him to fourth in the championship standings, signalling his emergence as a serious contender in his debut season with the Fantic XX 125. Thorius emphasised the importance of perseverance on the demanding Riola sand track and looks forward to continuing his progress at the next Italian round. Thorius’s teammate Gennaro Utech showed promising speed in qualifying but was unable to convert this into strong race results, finishing 17th overall after some costly errors. The 17-year-old Italian remains optimistic about his prospects, with another home round in Arco di Trento offering a chance to rebound. Both riders and the team are focused on building momentum as the championship moves forward, aiming to capitalise on their potential in the coming races.