Kay de Wolf takes a perfect 1-1-1 victory at the new KymiRing, while Liam Everts is forced to retire after a qualifying crash at round thirteen of the MX2 World Championship.
Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing enjoyed a weekend of extremes at round thirteen of the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship. Kay de Wolf achieved a sensational clean sweep in the MX2 class at the brand new KymiRing circuit in Finland, while team-mate Liam Everts was sidelined after a heavy crash in Saturday's qualifying race.
For De Wolf, the weekend marked a statement of intent. After a difficult period of form over the past month, the Dutch rider arrived in Finland with renewed focus and rejuvenation. During the two-week break following the MXGP of Great Britain, he doubled down on training and preparation – determined to turn things around. The results spoke for themselves. In three races, the reigning MX2 champion was untouchable, achieving a perfect 1-1-1 record and the maximum score of 60 points.
The new KymiRing circuit in southern Finland made its MXGP debut with a challenging 1620-meter track carved into gravelly sand of variable depth. A heavy overnight storm on Sunday was followed by warm and humid weather, making the brand-new venue a technically and physically demanding test for even the most experienced sand specialists.
Saturday's qualifying got off to a positive start for both drivers. Everts displayed blistering pace from the start – he led the session and seemed comfortable on the soft terrain. But disaster struck on lap seven when the Belgian crashed heavily in the undulating section while leading the pack. He was thrown over the handlebars but managed to remount under his own power and return to the paddock. However, subsequent medical checks revealed a sacrum fracture. Everts was withdrawn from the race on Saturday evening and has since returned home for further examination.
Meanwhile, De Wolf raced to victory in the qualifying race – his second of the season – setting the tone for what would be a career highlight on Sunday.
In the first race, he briefly dropped to sixth place at the start, but by the end of the first lap, he was already up to third. By lap four, he had overtaken both Benistant and Adamo with clinical precision, and once in the lead, he didn't look back. His smooth, flowing driving style—a hallmark of his natural ability to race on sand—proved perfectly suited to the changing surface of the KymiRing. De Wolf controlled the race from the front, maintaining composure under pressure and extending his lead lap after lap. Ultimately, he crossed the finish line with a lead of over eight seconds.
Race two showed more of the same. Despite another difficult start, De Wolf wasted no time, carving through the field – from outside the top five to the lead in just eleven laps. His pace was relentless, his corner speed effortless, and his engine perfect. Once in the lead, he pulled away at will – building a commanding eleven-second lead all the way to the checkered flag.
With one win on Saturday and two on Sunday, De Wolf completed a perfect weekend – his fourth Grand Prix victory of the season, twelfth GP win, and 35th podium finish. While Liam Everts' early retirement was a major blow to the team, his pre-crash pace was a reminder of his growing strength and confidence – and everyone at Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing wished him a speedy and full recovery.
The next race is the Czech Republic MXGP in Loket on July 27.
#1 – Kay de Wolf: “It’s great to be back on the top podium – that was the goal this weekend: to get 60 points after the break. After Matterley, we sat down and made a plan – I skipped my holiday and went straight back to work. I think I kept my rhythm under control really well this weekend. Together with the team, we stuck to the plan and did exactly what we had to do: one-on-one. All the hard work paid off – I couldn’t have done it without this team. My mechanics have been driving for hours these past two weeks so I could get the right training. My family, my girlfriend – everyone behind me – they all put in so much effort.”
#72 – Liam Everts: "It's frustrating, of course, especially because I was feeling great on the bike and leading when it happened. But this is part of the sport. I've had checkups and it's confirmed it's a sacrum fracture, so I'm going home now to rest and start the recovery process. Thanks to the team and everyone for the support – we'll be back."
