The Circuit Raymond Demy, a legendary showcase for world motocross, was alive and kicking like never before on Sunday. For the ninth round of the FIM Motocross World Championships, Mayenne welcomed the biggest crowd of the season, amassed on the emblematic hills of Ernée. Under a radiant afternoon sun, after morning showers that made the track ideal, I had the privilege of being there, immersed in this delirious crowd, whose every shout and applause resounded like a mechanical symphony.
Race conditions, hailed by the drivers after complaints about a "one-track" character the day before, were perfect. Night and morning showers transformed the circuit into a more selective terrain, encouraging overtaking and offering an even more intense spectacle.
MXGP: Romain Febvre, Victory of the Will and the Heart
The premier class lived up to all its promises, and then some. The French public, who turned out in droves, had eyes only for their hero, Romain Febvre, leader of the MXGP Championship for the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP. And Romain did not disappoint, delivering a masterful performance that will live long in the memory.

Round 1: A heroic comeback
The tone was set right from the morning Warm-Up, when Febvre set the fastest time on a still damp track. However, it was Lucas Coenen, a 450 holeshot specialist, who blasted into the lead to claim his fifth Fox Holeshot Award of the season. Romain, after an average start, had to work hard. He lost precious time catching up with the frontrunners, particularly after the battles between Jeffrey Herlings, Maxime Renaux and Jeremy Seewer. Despite his heroic efforts, Febvre fell back to second place with only six laps remaining - not enough time to hope for victory. Lucas Coenen went it alone, confirming his blistering speed. Jeffrey Herlings, who held on to second place for a while, finally succumbed to Febvre's charge, showing that "The Bullet" is gradually regaining his full potential.
Round 2: The Public's Delirium and the Long-awaited Victory
The second heat offered a very different scenario and raised the temperature on the Circuit Raymond Demy. While Andrea Bonacorsi scored a historic Holeshot, Jeremy Seewer quickly took the lead, but it was Coenen who, with a dazzling move on the outside, propelled himself into the lead from the third bend, attempting to break away.
But all eyes were on Romain Febvre. Having started fourth, he quickly made his way past Bonacorsi and into position just behind Seewer. The exchange between Febvre and Seewer at the start of the lap left Romain alone against Coenen. It was an intense manhunt, with every bend and jump scrutinized with fervor by the public. The fight was epic, and the crowd's cries became a roar when Romain Febvre found the opening shortly before the halfway point, pulling off a masterful overtake on the steepest climb, where Coenen wobbled in the ruts. The circuit literally exploded with joy!

Once in the lead, it was all about holding on. Coenen, far from being beaten, put constant pressure on Febvre, but the Frenchman, buoyed by the incredible energy of the crowd, resisted with unshakeable determination. Lucas Coenen even came close to being caught by Jeremy Seewer before finding his rhythm again, proving that he was a formidable opponent. But in the end, the will of the crowd prevailed, with victory going to Febvre by just over half a second at the chequered flag.
This third win of the season for Romain Febvre, achieved on the track against an excellent Lucas Coenen, will forever be remembered as a historic moment, especially as victory had been taken away from him last year in Saint-Jean. She restores her 47-point lead over Coenen in the championship, as the season heads to new hard tracks in Germany.
Other Outstanding MXGP Performances
The podium was completed by Jeremy Seewer (5/3), who debuted a factory engine on his Ducati this weekend. His third-place finish, tied on points with Jeffrey Herlings (3/5), delighted fans in Switzerland and Italy, and marked Ducati's second-ever podium finish on a track where he already won in 2022. Herlings scored his best result of the season, showing that he's back in business.
The podium could have been Maxime Renaux 's (4/15) had he not been delayed by a crash shortly after the start of the second race. It was a difficult day for Kevin Horgmo, who battled with Seewer in the first heat before crashing and dislocating his shoulder, marking a transition from ecstasy to agony after his second place in qualifying.
MX2: A Championship earthquake and a KTM hat-trick
The MX2 class was the scene of a major upheaval. It was a black day for reigning champion Kay de Wolf (14/12) of Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing. Already in trouble on Saturday, he complicated his life by crashing in the first heat and then in the second start, finishing only thirteenth in the GP with a sore ankle. This was bad news as the GPs continued with Germany and Latvia.

The situation was exploited to the full by his rivals, giving Red Bull KTM Factory Racing a historic hat-trick of podium finishes for the first time this season. Simon Längenfelder (1/1), who had already shown his speed on Saturday, didn't let his chance slip this time. He quickly took the lead in both heats, scoring a fine double despite Andrea Adamo's (2/2) forcing of the pace in the second heat. Längenfelder thus takes the red plate with a few points ahead of Adamo.
The day's pleasant surprise came from Sacha Coenen (6/6), who found his place on the podium by being the most consistent of several drivers. Oriol Oliver (4/7), freshly signed with the SS24 team for the end of the season, and Valerio Lata (3/10) also shone, finishing fifth and sixth respectively. Thibault Bénistant (11/3), who crashed alone at the first start, would undoubtedly have had a place on the podium had it not been for this incident, finishing sixth in the GP. Mathis Valin (5/8) was eighth.
Ernée: A Legend Confirmed, a Passion Unmatched
The Circuit Raymond Demy, designated to host the Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations 2026, has a well-established reputation for incredible events. This weekend only added to the mythology of this valley, which occupies a special place in the hearts of many Motocross fans, from France and around the world.
The atmosphere was electric, the passion palpable, and the energy of the Ernée crowd proved once again why this place is so dear to all motocross lovers. Every shout, every applause from the cheering crowd sounded like unwavering support, carrying the riders to their limits and creating a perfect synergy between man and machine. It was an unforgettable day, a true hymn to the passion of motocross.
What did you think of the atmosphere in Ernée this year?
Next weekend, the riders go straight on to the German Grand Prix.
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