RED PLATES RAMPAGE THROUGH RIOLA AS LUCAS COENEN AND LÄNGENFELDER TAKE VICTORY AT THE MXGP OF SARDEGNA!

The fourth round of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championships unfolded at the challenging sandy circuit of Crossodromo Comunale “Le Dune” in Riola Sardo, Sardegna. Under cloudy skies and with the track progressively deteriorating into deep, heavy sand, riders faced a demanding test of skill and endurance. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen dominated the MXGP category, securing a double race victory on the island for the first time, while Jeffrey Herlings of Honda HRC Petronas was a persistent challenger, finishing second in both races. The MX2 class also saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing triumph, with Simon Längenfelder clinching his maiden Sardegna podium and race win, reversing the order of his teammate Sacha Coenen, who took the opening race victory. The races were marked by intense competition and challenging conditions, with the circuit cutting up severely and a brief rain shower adding to the difficulty. Coenen’s performance was particularly impressive given the relentless pressure from Herlings, who set the fastest time in the morning warm-up and consistently pushed the pace. Rookie Kay de Wolf made a significant impact in the MXGP class, earning his first podium with a strong second race showing for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing. Meanwhile, Liam Everts, also from Nestaan Husqvarna, continued to impress by securing a third-place overall in MX2 despite battling through a foot injury. The event featured notable moments such as Tom Vialle’s strong starts, including his second Fox Holeshot Award of the season in race one, and Romain Febvre’s fluctuating fortunes as he battled for podium positions before crashing in the first race. Mechanical issues and crashes also affected key riders like Tim Gajser and Maxime Renaux, who struggled with illness and falls early on. Coenen’s decisive overtakes and ability to maintain a commanding pace underlined his growing dominance in the championship, extending his lead while Herlings moved up to second in the standings. Looking ahead, the results from Sardegna set the stage for a fiercely competitive championship battle as the series moves forward. Coenen’s commanding victories and the emergence of new talents like Längenfelder and de Wolf suggest that the 2026 season will continue to deliver thrilling racing across both MXGP and MX2 categories. The demanding conditions at Riola Sardo also highlight the importance of adaptability and resilience, traits that will be crucial as the championship visits a variety of challenging circuits in the coming rounds.