Vialle and Längenfelder Master the Mud at the MXGP of Switzerland
Round three of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship delivered chaos, drama, and brilliance as riders battled brutal muddy conditions at the Schollenholz circuit during the MXGP of Switzerland presented by iXS.
Relentless rain transformed the already technical track into a treacherous test of skill and survival, separating the composed from the chaotic in one of the most unpredictable race days of the season so far.
Vialle Claims First MXGP Victory in Dramatic Fashion
French star Tom Vialle emerged victorious in the premier class, mastering the mud to secure his first-ever MXGP Grand Prix win for Honda HRC Petronas.
Vialle dominated race one with a commanding lights-to-flag performance, capitalizing on early mistakes from rivals, including a dramatic crash and disqualification for championship leader Lucas Coenen, and mechanical issues for teammate Jeffrey Herlings.
Race two brought a completely different challenge, as Vialle fought through the pack after a poor start and crash, finishing sixth—just enough to clinch the overall victory.
Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP celebrated a strong showing, with Maxime Renaux and Tim Gajser securing second and third overall respectively, marking their first double podium since 2022.
Meanwhile, Coenen bounced back from his race one disaster with a dominant win in race two, retaining the championship lead thanks to his blistering pace.
MXGP Overall Top 5
- Tom Vialle (Honda) – 40 pts
- Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) – 36 pts
- Tim Gajser (Yamaha) – 34 pts
- Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna) – 34 pts
- Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) – 34 pts
“The track was really tricky, but when you’re in front you can ride your own race. I didn’t even realise I was winning overall—it feels amazing.”
Vialle reflected on his breakthrough moment:
Längenfelder Reclaims Control in MX2
In the MX2 class, reigning champion Simon Längenfelder proved his class in the mud, delivering a consistent 1-3 performance to secure the overall win and reclaim the championship red plate for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
The German rider stayed composed in the unpredictable conditions, avoiding the costly mistakes that plagued many of his rivals.
Guillem Farrés thrilled fans with a superb victory in race two for Triumph Racing, securing second overall, while Liam Everts completed the podium with his first top-three finish of the season.
Championship leader Camden McLellan endured a difficult day, crashing out of race two after a strong comeback ride in race one, losing the red plate in the process.
MX2 Overall Top 5
- Simon Längenfelder (KTM) – 45 pts
- Guillem Farrés (Triumph) – 43 pts
- Liam Everts (Husqvarna) – 42 pts
- Sacha Coenen (KTM) – 36 pts
- Valerio Lata (Honda) – 34 pts
“The key was to stay on the bike. There were many mistakes and even mechanical issues, so I focused on riding smart.”
Längenfelder emphasized the importance of consistency:
Mud, Mayhem and Momentum Shifts
The Swiss round will be remembered as a turning point early in the 2026 season. Mechanical failures, crashes, and unpredictable conditions reshuffled both championships and highlighted the importance of consistency.
Despite the chaos, Lucas Coenen retains the MXGP red plate, while Längenfelder regains control in MX2, setting up an exciting battle heading into the next round in Sardinia.
With momentum shifting and confidence growing among multiple contenders, the 2026 MXGP World Championship continues to deliver edge-of-your-seat action—proving that anything can happen when the gates drop.
