Herlings and Sacha Coenen Shine in Dramatic MXGP of Trentino as Championship Battles Intensify

Pietramurata once again delivered a spectacle worthy of its reputation as one of the crown jewels of the FIM Motocross World Championship. The MXGP of Trentino, round five of the 2026 season, unfolded at the iconic “Il Ciclamino” circuit in front of a passionate crowd of more than 36,000 fans who filled the surrounding hillside with colour, noise, and anticipation. What followed was a weekend defined by unpredictable weather, relentless racing, and shifting championship fortunes across both classes.

From early morning sunshine and dust to a sudden downpour just as MX2 lined up for race one, conditions constantly evolved, forcing riders to adapt on the fly. Yet despite the challenges, the track delivered close racing and dramatic storylines from start to finish.

In MXGP, Jeffrey Herlings once again stamped his authority on the Italian hillsides with a performance that underlined his status as one of the sport’s greats. The Dutchman claimed his 114th Grand Prix victory and sixth at Trentino, navigating two very different races with trademark aggression and precision. Race one saw him carve through the field from outside the top ten, producing a relentless charge marked by decisive overtakes and perfectly timed attacks. By the time he reached the front, he controlled the pace to take victory and set the tone for the day.

Race two, however, belonged to Tim Gajser. Riding through pain from recent injuries, the Slovenian produced a courageous and emotionally charged performance for his first victory with Yamaha. After taking advantage of a dramatic late-race crash from Lucas Coenen while in the lead, Gajser held firm under pressure from Herlings to secure a vital win and send the home-leaning hillside crowd into celebration. It marked his first victory since this very venue last season and a powerful reminder of his resilience at the highest level.

Tom Vialle completed the MXGP podium after a weekend of consistency and recovery rides, despite a heavy crash in race two that forced him to fight back through the field. Maxime Renaux added strong points finishes to remain in the mix, while Romain Febvre showed pace but was unable to fully capitalise on opportunities after a difficult race two.

Lucas Coenen endured another challenging outing at a circuit that has not been kind to him in the past. Despite flashes of speed and a podium finish in race two, mistakes in both motos cost him valuable positions. Nevertheless, he continues to lead the championship, though his advantage has now been reduced significantly as Herlings closes to within striking distance.

Behind the leading contenders, there were standout performances throughout the field. Kay de Wolf delivered strong pace and consistency, while Ruben Fernandez and Oriol Oliver both impressed with determined rides inside the top ten, Oliver in particular continuing his rise with his best MXGP performance to date. Pauls Jonass and Calvin Vlaanderen also featured prominently in the battles just outside the top group.

In MX2, the spotlight belonged firmly to Sacha Coenen, who produced a flawless weekend of racing. The Belgian rider was in complete control across all sessions, securing a perfect 1-1 scoreline and his fifth career Grand Prix victory. His ability to manage both the slick opening moto and the more chaotic second race highlighted a growing maturity alongside his raw speed, particularly after recovering from a small fall in race two without losing control of the overall result.

Behind Coenen, Guillem Farres continued his impressive form with a strong second overall after consistent rides in both motos. Mathis Valin secured third overall, adding another podium to his growing reputation with a composed and competitive performance throughout the weekend.

Julius Mikula was one of the standout stories of the MX2 field, delivering a career-best fourth overall after two determined rides that saw him battle inside the top group across both motos. Karlis Alberts Reisulis also impressed with strong pace to finish fifth overall, while Simon Längenfelder endured a more difficult weekend than usual. Struggling with setup and traction in race one, he recovered in race two to limit the damage and still sit at the top of the championship standings, albeit now under serious pressure from Coenen.

Camden McLellan also produced a fighting performance across the weekend. The South African rider showed resilience in difficult conditions, working through the field to secure valuable points and finish inside the top ten overall despite setbacks in both races.

Further down the order, Liam Everts endured a frustrating weekend that included crashes and lost positions, while Janis Martins Reisulis and Kay Karssemakers both showed flashes of pace inside the midfield battles. Valerio Lata rounded out the top ten in race two with a solid ride in front of his home fans.

As the MX2 championship standings tighten, Längenfelder holds a narrow lead over Coenen, with just a handful of points separating the top contenders. Farres and Everts remain in contention, while McLellan continues to climb steadily as the season develops.

When the overall results were tallied, Herlings stood at the top of MXGP with 47 points, ahead of Gajser on 43 and Vialle on 35. In MX2, Coenen’s maximum score of 50 points placed him ahead of Farres on 42 and Valin on 36, underlining his dominance across the weekend.

With both championships finely balanced, Trentino has once again proven to be a pivotal moment in the season. The established names struck back with authority, but the emerging generation continues to close the gap, setting up a compelling second half of the championship.

After a brief break, the paddock now turns its attention to France for the next round in May, where momentum, pressure, and championship hopes will all be tested once again.

Picture Credits: MXGP