The 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship reached a climactic conclusion at the MXGP of Australia, on the brand-new Hidden Valley circuit in Darwin. The public witnessed the crowning of two new world champions, at the end of a breathtaking suspense race that was brought to a premature close by Dantesque weather conditions. A Hollywood scenario that saw the coronation of France's Romain Febvre and Germany's Simon Längenfelder, both of whom climbed to the top of the podium in their respective categories.
A hard-fought victory for Romain Febvre in MXGP
While the sun shone on the first day of racing, the weather turned for the main day, making the track difficult and conditions very demanding for the riders. Storm clouds gathered before the second MX2 heat, bringing the race to a halt and cancelling the second MXGP heat. The final standings were therefore based on the first race of the day only.
In the first MXGP heat, Lucas Coenen got off to a blistering start, claiming the 13th Fox Holeshot of his season. He then led the race from start to finish to take the win, securing second place in the championship. He finished ahead of Jeffrey Herlings and Tim Gajser. But all eyes were on Romain Febvre, who managed his race with composure, finishing fourth and securing his second world title, 10 years after his first in 2015. A consecration both for him and for the Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP team, which hadn't won a premier class title since Sébastien Tortelli in 1998.
The emotion was palpable for the French rider, as evidenced by his words:
I'm overwhelmed by so many emotions. I remember all the difficult moments, the injuries and everything I went through. It took me 10 years to become world champion again, and I feel I've achieved something very important in my career. I feel on top of the world. I'd like to thank all my sponsors, my team and my family. I've made a lot of sacrifices for them throughout my career, and today was worth it. Now it's time to enjoy the moment.
His direct opponent, Lucas Coenen, also expressed his satisfaction:
I'm happy because when you're 18 and people doubt you, say bad things, you just want to show them. Honestly, even after Argentina, I felt it was possible, but to finish second in my first season is still incredible. Of course, I wanted to win, but Romain [Febvre] was really strong, so congratulations to him. It was a good season, even if I missed a few races. I proved myself, and at 18, being runner-up is something to be proud of. Thanks to my team for everything, we'll keep working, and maybe next year my brother and I can fight for the title.
Simon Längenfelder's dantesque MX2 victory
The MX2 category offered unbearable suspense. Kay de Wolf, who had given everything to get back in the standings, won the first heat ahead of Simon Längenfelder. Tensions were running high as the two riders engaged in a merciless duel on the track, with aggressive passing and contact showing just how intense the race for the title was.
The second heat began under threatening skies. Sacha Coenen took the Fox Holeshot, but the battle raged from the very first turns. Längenfelder and de Wolf clashed again, with the German driver falling to the ground. It was at this point that the weather intervened, unleashing a torrential downpour. The track became impassable and many riders crashed or had their bikes abandoned.
In these chaotic conditions, Simon Längenfelder managed to stay on his wheels, climbing back up the pack. For his part, Kay de Wolf's bike ran into problems, and he was forced to push it. The red flag was waved for safety reasons, bringing the race to a halt.
Despite the extreme conditions, the final result was clear. Simon Längenfelder's perseverance and mastery were rewarded. The German driver clinched his first world title, a consecration after finishing third in the last three championships. He is the first German to win since Ken Roczen in 2011.
Simon Längenfelder made no secret of his relief:
Honestly, it's been a tough season, but I've given it everything I've got. There have been ups and downs, but I'm proud of the way we've kept pushing and always tried to fight at the front. We've had some solid races, and I know there's more to come. The support from the team and the fans has been incredible, and that means a lot to me. We'll continue to progress from here.
As for his unfortunate rival, Kay de Wolf, he showed fair play:
It's like that, I gave it my all, no regrets. I tried everything I could, and I'm proud of myself. I was 70 points behind after Matterley Basin, so everything I did after that was already incredible. Of course, it's a shame that the season ended like that, with the rain, and my dream gone. But I showed that I could be a champion. I wanted to finish as champion, but that wasn't the case. Next year, I'll be back and I'll give it my all again.
Final rankings
MXGP class
Race 1 standings (Top 10)
- Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), 34:56.200
- Jeffrey Herlings (NED, KTM), +0:04.241
- Tim Gajser (SLO, Honda), +0:05.838
- Romain Febvre (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:32.121
- Ruben Fernandez (ESP, Honda), +0:36.535
- Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, Yamaha), +0:43.791
- Mattia Guadagnini (ITA, Ducati), +0:46.182
- Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, Fantic), +0:52.512
- Isak Gifting (SWE, Yamaha), +0:54.547
- Pauls Jonass (LAT, Kawasaki), +1:12.641
Final World Championship standings (Top 10)
MX2 category
Race 1 standings (Top 10)
- Kay de Wolf (NED, Husqvarna), 33:42.445
- Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), +0:04.481
- Guillem Farres (ESP, Triumph), +0:08.935
- Mathis Valin (FRA, Kawasaki), +0:11.146
- Liam Everts (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:11.969
- Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), +0:28.086
- Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, Triumph), +0:32.265
- Rick Elzinga (NED, Yamaha), +0:33.989
- Valerio Lata (ITA, Honda), +0:42.533
- Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, Yamaha), +0:45.306
Race 2 standings (Top 10)
- Coenen, Sacha (BEL, KTM), 17:09.073
- Lata, Valerio (ITA, Honda), +0:21.452
- Elzinga, Rick (NED, Yamaha), +0:36.523
- Reisulis, Karlis Alberts (LAT, Yamaha), +0:39.592
- De Wolf, Kay (NED, Husqvarna), +0:41.121
- Längenfelder, Simon (GER, KTM), +0:41.546
- Karssemakers, Kay (NED, Kawasaki), +0:49.311
- Everts, Liam (BEL, Husqvarna), +0:56.026
- Walvoort, Jens (NED, KTM), +0:57.476
- Farres, Guillem (ESP, Triumph), +1:15.176
Final World Championship standings (Top 10)
MXGP and MX2 video highlights of the weekend
Lotte van Drunen, new double WMX world champion
The passion for women's motocross also kept spectators on their toes throughout the season. Dutch rider Lotte van Drunen, supported by the De Baets Yamaha team, was crowned World Champion for the second year running. At just 18 years of age, she brilliantly defended her 2024 title aboard her Yamaha YZ250F.
Having arrived in Australia with a 16-point lead, the young rider handled the pressure with impressive maturity. She secured third place in the first race, before taking a perfect holeshot in the second. Despite briefly losing the lead, she managed to reposition herself and eventually finished the race in fourth position, which was enough to secure her the world crown.
Her season was marked by consistency and unwavering domination, symbolized by the red leader's plates she retained from the first to the last Grand Prix. In the six rounds of the championship, Lotte van Drunen claimed a Grand Prix victory, four heat wins and five overall podium finishes.
After her coronation, an emotional Lotte van Drunen declared:
It's incredible! To be double world champion at just 18 years of age is amazing. I can't thank my team, Yamaha and the people around me enough. My friends and family have supported me all season, and I'd especially like to thank my coach, who couldn't come to this race, but I know he's watching me at home. Thanks again to everyone.
Final World Championship standings (Top 10)
A season rewarded by the MXGP Awards
The incredible 2025 season was appropriately celebrated at the MXGP Awards. The ceremony highlighted not only the champions, but also the top manufacturers and teams who contributed to these successes. Unsurprisingly, the three world champions, Romain Febvre (MXGP), Simon Längenfelder (MX2) and Lotte Van Drunen (WMX) were honored. In addition to the riders, the manufacturers were also hailed for their performance: KTM was crowned Manufacturers' World Champion in MXGP and MX2, while GASGAS received this distinction in WMX. As for the teams, Kawasaki Factory Racing was named best MXGP team, and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing won the MX2 title. Finally, the excellence of the private structures was recognized with the best private team awards for Team Honda Motoblouz SR Motul in MXGP and Van Venrooy KTM in MX2, as well as the De Baets MX-Yamaha Team in WMX.
Photo credits: mxgp.com
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