WDid you think before the season that 18-year-old Lucas Coenen would be fighting for the MXGP world title at the Lommel GP? Certainly not. The new KTM superstar is already engaged in a classic battle. Veteran and former MXGP world champion Romain Febvre leads the field, with Coenen trailing by just 10 points.
Talent, perseverance, physical qualities, courage. Coenen combines all the qualities a top rider needs. The self-assured Brussels native himself stated earlier this year that he saw no reason why he wouldn't be running at the front right away in his first MXGP season. Strong words, and even unrealistic. Meanwhile, it's been a long time since 2007 with Steve Ramon since Belgium last had a world champion in the premier class of the Motocross World Championship.
Ramon was the champion of consistency. This Lucas Coenen stands out in every respect. The MX2 runner-up already rides the 450 with the speed and maturity you'd expect from an experienced MXGP star. The stats Lucas racked up as an MXGP rookie in 2025 speak for themselves:
- 11 series victories (compared to 6 for Febvre)
- 4 GP victories (compared to 4 for Febvre)
- 221 laps in the lead (compared to 103 for Febvre)
The Red Bull KTM rider's rapid adaptation to his new status is also evident in his podium finishes. In 14 GPs, he has stood on the podium no fewer than 10 times. Only Febvre has done better. It's no coincidence, then, that the Frenchman also leads the World Championship. Coenen's sand prowess was demonstrated once again in Finland, where he won both the qualifying race and both heats.
Moreover, Lucas has never won in his own country. So he certainly won't be lacking motivation. Romain Febvre (Photo above) is also an excellent sand rider. At 33, this is a golden opportunity to win the world title one more time. The Frenchman has also lived in Limburg for over 10 years and won in Lommel in both 2023 and 2021.
Who will join the fight?
Will this edition of the MXGP Flanders be a battle between Febvre and Coenen? Perhaps, although sand races are often less predictable by definition. In challenging conditions, mistakes are easily made, and then it's not just about pure speed but also about staying upright. Just think of Kevin Strijbos's surprising Lommel GP victories (2016).
Anyone who thinks of surprising GP victories in the sand quickly comes to mind with the Dutch Brian Bogers (Lommel, 2022) and Calvin Flanders (Sardinia, 2022). Not to mention the rock-solid Glenn Coldenhoff (Photo below). The Hoff is currently 3rd in the World Championship and is in perhaps the best form of his life. In his eventful career, the Fantic factory rider has already reached the podium at De Heeserbergen four times. In 4, he was very close to overall victory and also recorded one moto win.
Will Herlings provide an encore?
From stuntman to the world's best sand skater. Both descriptions perfectly fit five-time world champion Jeffrey Herlings. Just over a month after breaking his collarbone during training in Arnhem, "The Bullit" will resume his competition this weekend. On one of the world's toughest tracks, no less.
Although Herlings, currently 9th in the standings, is completely out of contention for the World Championship, he can certainly claim a role in the title fight. Even with a lack of race rhythm, the Red Bull KTM icon remains a dangerous customer.
In 2021, the driven Brabant native started in Lommel despite a fracture in his left shoulder blade he had suffered two weeks earlier. Against all expectations, Jeffrey won the first heat and finished second on the final podium behind rival Febvre. The competition has been warned!
Van Doninck as a 'dark horse'?
Both the shape curve of Jago Geerts (Monster Energy Yamaha) as Brent Van Doninck (JM Honda Racing) is on the rise. The latter currently seems to have the best credentials. After a serious injury, the Herentals native made a strong comeback and has already achieved several top-10 heat finishes. At the sandy KymiRing, Van Doninck (photo below) even finished 6th in the final standings and 4th in heat 2.
For 24-time GP winner Geerts, his home race is the perfect opportunity to once again show what he's capable of. After two difficult seasons, the chances of an extended stay with the Yamaha factory team seem slim. So, this is the time to put himself in the spotlight!
For both Van Doninck and Geerts, a podium in front of a home crowd would be a huge boost. Between dreams and deeds, in this case, there are a number of contenders, such as Reuben Fernandez (HRC Honda), Andrea Bonacorsi (Fantic Factory Racing) en Maxime Renaux (Monster Energy Yamaha). Even a sand specialist Isaac Gifting (pictured below) is considered one of the outsiders for a top-5 finish. The physically strong Swede will certainly have plenty of confidence, as he only finished 5th in the Czech GP. As an MX2 rider, the JK Racing Yamaha leader came close to a podium finish twice in 2020, with a P2 race result as the highlight.
In the past, Jeremy Seewer aI see that he too can shine in the Lommel sandbox. The likeable Swiss rider stood on the podium here twice (MXGP, 2020 and MX2, 2016). So far, however, he hasn't quite found his feet on the new Ducati Desmo 450MX.
Full list of participants here
Weekend timing here
Roll of Honour GP Lommel – MXGP / MX1 / 500cc
2024 – Jeffrey Herlings (NED – KTM)
2023 – Romain Febvre (FRA – Kawasaki)
2022 – Brian Bogers (NED – Husqvarna)
2021 – Romain Febvre (FRA – Kawasaki)
2020* – 2x Tim Gajser (SLO – Honda), Jorge Prado (SPA – KTM),
2019 – Tim Gajser (SLO – Honda)
2018 – Jeffrey Herlings (NED – KTM)
2017 – Jeffrey Herlings (NED – KTM)
2016 – Kevin Strijbos (BEL – Suzuki)
2015 – Shaun Simpson (GBR – KTM)
2014 – Antonio Cairoli (ITA – KTM)
2012 – Antonio Cairoli (ITA – KTM)
2011 – Antonio Cairoli (ITA – KTM)
2010 – Antonio Cairoli (ITA – KTM)
2009 – Ken De Dycker (BEL – Suzuki)
2008 – Jonathan Barragan (SPA – KTM)
1997 – Avo Leok (EST – Kawasaki)
*three consecutive GPs took place in Lommel due to the adjusted Covid calendar
Photos: Shootyou.be, JP Acevedo, Kawasaki, Fullspectrum Media, Fantic, Offroad Pro Racing
