The FIM Motocross World Championship tour has arrived in Europe for the first time this 2026 season. It was on the sandy track in Almonte, Andalusia, that the riders competed under particularly challenging conditions. Between unpredictable weather early in the week and a track redesigned for the occasion, this Grand Prix will be remembered as the one where the new generation took the reins.
MXGP: Lucas Coenen, the new king of the sand
While some still had doubts about the handover in the premier class, Lucas Coenen silenced all critics this weekend. The young Belgian didn’t just win; he crushed the competition on a sandy surface he particularly loves.
Race 1: A Show of Strength
From the moment the gate dropped, the tension was palpable. It was Frenchman Tom Vialle (Honda HRC Petronas) who made his mark by taking the holeshot, but his lead was short-lived. Coenen, after winning the qualifying race the day before, quickly found an opening in the wave section by taking a daring outside line.
Behind them, a pile-up at the first corner involving Calvin Vlaanderen, Tim Gajser, Jago Geerts, and local rider Ruben Fernandez immediately reshuffled the pack. While Lucas Coenen pulled away, Jeffrey Herlings tried to limit the damage. “The Bullet” had to battle with his own teammate Vialle before setting off in pursuit of the leader. But Coenen, in top form, set the fastest lap of the race (Acerbis Fastest Lap) on the fourth lap, ultimately winning by more than 20 seconds. Romain Febvre salvaged the day with a solid third-place finish after a spectacular pass on Vialle.
Race 2: One-two finish and red plate
The second race began with a dramatic twist:Oriol Oliver’s surprise holeshot, fueled by the roar of the Spanish crowd. But the pecking order quickly reasserted itself. Coenen and Herlings passed the Spaniard in the opening laps. Herlings, though closer than in the first race (a 12-second gap at the finish), never truly threatened the Belgian.
The turning point of the championship may have come on the 5th lap: while in 3rd place, Romain Febvre suffered a violent crash in a fast corner. Dazed, the defending champion was forced to retire, losing valuable points. This mishap benefited Tim Gajser, who made it onto the final podium (3rd) for his first podium finish with the factory Yamaha.
Lucas Coenen (1st):"The track suited me perfectly; I had an excellent flow. Once in the lead, I was able to manage the race without taking too many risks. Wearing the red plate is an incredible feeling, but the season is still very long."
MX2: A seismic shift named Triumph
While Coenen’s victory was expected, that of Camden McLellan and Triumph is a truly historic event. The British manufacturer, which officially returned to motocross recently, has proven that it is now a major force.
The fratricidal duel among the "Black and Yellow"
The weekend had started like a dream for the local crowd. In the first race, Spain’s Guillem Farres pulled off the unthinkable by holding off his teammate McLellan. The two Triumph riders, friends in real life, engaged in a spectacular duel through the waves of Almonte. Farres emerged victorious with undisguised emotion, securing Triumph’s first-ever race win.
Unfortunately, the fairy tale came to an abrupt end for Farres in the second heat, as his bike refused to shift gears right from the start. He was forced to retire.
McLellan, the King of the Waves
Freed from the pressure of his teammate, Camden McLellan showcased his mastery of riding in the sand. After shaking off Valerio Lata and fending off Sacha Coenen’s attacks, the South African dominated the race. His speed through the wave sections left his rivals in the dust. He thus claimed the overall win and seized the red leader’s plate in the MX2 World Championship, two points ahead of Simon Längenfelder.
Camden McLellan (1st):"It’s been a special weekend. My last win was back in Trentino—it’s been a long wait. The red plate is a bonus, but winning both races [virtually] after such a battle is very satisfying."
Andalusia Grand Prix Stats
Race results
MXGP Top 5:
MX2 Top 5:
World Championship Standings (Provisional)
Lucas Coenen takes the red plate in MXGP with 102 points, leading Jeffrey Herlings by 8 points. In MX2, history is in the making for Camden McLellan, who takes the overall lead with 99 points, just 2 points ahead of Simon Längenfelder.
MXGP Manufacturers' Standings:
Honda leads the pack with 113 points, closely followed by KTM (102) and Yamaha (88). Kawasaki and Ducati round out the top 5, demonstrating the technical diversity of the current field.
Motoplanete Analysis:
This Andalusian Grand Prix marks a technical turning point. While KTM remains the benchmark with Coenen, Honda’s rise to prominence with Herlings and Vialle, along with Triumph’s sensational debut in MX2, promise an epic 2026 season. The next round takes place in Switzerland, on harder terrain, where “hard-pack” specialists like Gajser and Längenfelder are waiting for their chance at redemption.
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