The MXGP of Italy delivered scorching action at the iconic Crossdromo Miravalle in Montevarchi as Jeffrey Herlings and Sacha Coenen emerged victorious in front of passionate Italian fans during round nine of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championships.
Despite soaring temperatures and a brief rain shower adding extra difficulty to the hard-packed circuit, the racing remained intense throughout the weekend.
Herlings Returns to Winning Ways
Honda HRC Petronas star Jeffrey Herlings showcased his experience and speed to secure his 116th career Grand Prix victory and his remarkable 20th GP win on Italian soil.
Herlings claimed victory with a race win and a second-place finish, reducing the gap to championship leader Lucas Coenen. The Dutchman mastered the demanding Montevarchi circuit and held off fierce pressure from Maxime Renaux and Coenen throughout the opening race.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing‘s Lucas Coenen finished third in both races to secure second overall and continue his impressive consistency at the top of the championship standings. Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP rider Maxime Renaux completed the podium in third overall after a strong and determined performance.
Tim Gajser also impressed, bouncing back from misfortune in race one to claim victory in race two and underline his competitiveness in the title battle.
MXGP Overall Podium
- Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) – 47 points
- Lucas Coenen (KTM) – 40 points
- Maxime Renaux (Yamaha) – 37 points
Coenen still leads the MXGP World Championship with 449 points, while Herlings has closed the gap to 56 points with 393.
Sacha Coenen Extends MX2 Championship Advantage
In MX2, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing‘s Sacha Coenen once again demonstrated maturity beyond his years. Although he did not win either race, his consistent second-place finishes in both motos earned him the overall victory and strengthened his hold on the championship lead.
Triumph Racing Factory Team enjoyed an exceptional weekend, with Guillem Farres winning race one and finishing second overall, while South African rider Camden McLellan dominated race two to claim third overall and move into third position in the championship standings.
MX2 Overall Podium
- Sacha Coenen (KTM) – 44 points
- Guillem Farres (Triumph) – 41 points
- Camden McLellan (Triumph) – 39 points
Coenen now leads the MX2 World Championship with 431 points, ahead of Farres on 390 and McLellan on 373.
McLellan Continues His Charge
South Africa‘s Camden McLellan once again showed his speed and resilience. After a difficult opening race, he bounced back spectacularly to win race two and secure his second race victory of the season.
The Triumph Racing rider continues to build momentum and has firmly established himself as one of the leading challengers in the MX2 championship.
Championship Battles Intensify
As the series approaches its halfway mark, both championships remain fiercely contested. Herlings has reignited his MXGP title challenge, while Sacha Coenen continues to manage races smartly and extend his advantage in MX2.
The championship now heads to Portugal’s famous red dirt circuit at Agueda, where another thrilling weekend of motocross action awaits and both title races are set to intensify even further.
