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Reaction: 2026 MXGP Rd6 France

Comments from multiple leading riders following the weekend.

Lacapelle-Marival hosted round six of the 2026 MXGP World Championship over the weekend, with soaring temperatures and demanding conditions pushing riders to the limit throughout the MXGP and MX2 classes. Hear more from the leading riders of each division in this Reaction feature.

MX1

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P1 | Jeffrey Herlings (Honda HRC Petronas):
It was a tough weekend, with the weather and the track conditions but to go one-two-one across the weekend is exactly what we wanted. I got the start in the second moto when I needed it and although Lucas was behind me the whole race, I was able to ride a mistake-free race and even getting some cramp near the end, I held on and took the victory. We did a lot of work during this break from the GPs, both racing and testing, so I want to thank everyone at Honda HRC Petronas for their efforts. This season is going to be a marathon, not a sprint so I just need to keep going.

P2 | Lucas Coenen (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
Honestly, I was careful today and I didn’t quite understand why the first race was stopped but, anyway, we regrouped for the second start and I almost had the holeshot. I did everything I could: going left, going right and I couldn’t do any more. I felt like I was faster in some places and then trying also to avoid the roost. I also felt that I was the fastest guy today…but it was important to stay close in the championship and take the points. We all know it will be a long one. We’ll keep working like this towards the next round.

P3 | Romain Febvre (Kawasaki Racing Team):
I wasn’t expecting a podium after that first race; I used a lot of energy for that seventh after the crash. I had to fight hard again in race two for third so I’m so happy to make it to the podium for the French fans.

P4 | Kay de Wolf (Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing):
It was a really demanding weekend physically because the track became super rough and the heat made it even tougher every lap. I felt good with the bike all weekend and the speed was there, especially in qualifying, so that’s positive. The holeshot in race two was nice, but overall I just wanted a little bit more from the motos. Still, we stayed consistent, scored solid points and we keep building.

P5 | Maxime Renaux (Monster Energy Yamaha):
Looking at the bigger picture, it was still a good weekend for the championship. Of course, in the short term it’s disappointing to miss the podium at my home GP, but I just didn’t have the legs to push past [Romain] Febvre in the second moto. Still, I’m taking the positives from the weekend. We know there are a few areas we still need to work on, so we’ll keep pushing and continue improving. We scored good points for the championship, but obviously we want to fight for more, so now we move on.

P6 | Andrea Adamo (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
A pretty good weekend, pretty solid. I think I could have done a bit better in the second moto but I was not feeling the best. The track was drier and it was harder to find the lines and the right rhythm. P6 overall and only a few points from the podium. We need to keep working to get even closer. A satisfying GP.

P7 | Ruben Fernandez (Honda HRC Petronas):
Solid weekend, and similar points to previous rounds, but I’m still not satisfied with it and would much prefer to be nearer the front guys. It wasn’t an easy track and the weather didn’t help either, but the conditions were the same for everyone and I just need to improve a couple of things and I think I’ll be close. Now we go to Germany where I’ve had good and bad races, but I’m going to try and make sure 2026 is a good one.

P8 | Andrea Bonacorsi (Red Bull Ducati Factory MXGP Team):
France is done, after a month-long break we’ve done a very good step forward in these weeks; I can say that I’m back 100 percent and I’m getting more and more comfortable, especially after this race I know I can fight in front. After yesterday, which wasn’t very good after I fell, today we had two positive motos, both in the top ten, and I was eight overall so we can be satisfied. We will get ready for the next round in Germany, I’m sure we can do even better.

MX2

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P1 | Guillem Farres (Triumph Factory Racing):
It was an incredible day for me to finally secure my first overall grand prix victory! And with two race wins it makes it even more special. The whole team has worked so hard for this moment, so it feels amazing to achieve it together. I got a decent start in the first moto, then made some quick passes to move into second. After the leader crashed, I took advantage of that and managed to bring home the win. In the second moto, I had another solid start and worked my way into second again. I was trying to make a pass for the lead, but the track was quite difficult for overtaking, so I stayed close and tried to force a mistake. With about five minutes to go, I managed to make the pass and secure another moto win. It’s been an amazing day and I can’t wait for Germany next weekend.

P2 | Camden McLellan (Triumph Factory Racing):
It was a decent Sunday here in Lacapelle-Marival. I had two pretty good starts. In the first moto I was a little further back, but I was able to work my way through the pack up to third. In the second moto, I got a much better start and had a really strong opening lap, which put me into second until Guillem passed me. After that, I followed him for most of the race before making a push in the final few laps. We ended up battling for the win right to the finish. Overall, a 3-2 result for second overall is definitely something positive to take from the weekend.

P3 | Mathis Valin (Kawasaki Racing Team):
It means a lot to be back on the box, especially here at home in France – the crowd was amazing. I felt really comfortable yesterday for my victory in qualifying but today was tough; the track is demanding and it is also quite small so I was taking the roost all moto. The speed is coming and we are getting closer and closer to the win.

P4 | Liam Everts (Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing):
Honestly, I think this was one of those weekends where patience was really important. The track was difficult, very easy to make mistakes, but I felt comfortable on the bike from the start and my pace was strong all weekend. Qualifying was good, then in the races I had to fight through a lot and manage the conditions carefully. Fourth overall is not exactly where we want to be, but we’re moving in the right direction and the feeling is getting better with every GP.

P5 | Simon Laengenfelder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
Not too easy this weekend. I struggled with the starts so I need to keep working there. I was quite happy with my riding – just that crash towards the end of the last moto, which was frustrating but I’m okay. The track was flat and small and it was really, really difficult to pass. Germany next and it will be cool. We’ll see how the racing goes there.

P6 | Janis Reisulis (Monster Energy Yamaha):
It was a solid weekend overall and I’m really happy to be back racing after the five-week break. I did a lot of physical work during the time off, and I think my pace was really good today, especially in the second moto. I felt like my speed was right there with the fastest guys all weekend. The starts were mixed, but the second one was perfect and that really helped. In the second moto I felt great on the bike, even though the heat made it physically tough. I led for most of the race, which was a big positive, and overall there’s a lot to take away from the weekend. I still need to keep working on my cardio, but it was definitely a step in the right direction.

P7 | Sacha Coenen (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing):
A bit of an up-and-down weekend. I led the first moto and had a good flow but then washed the front. It was a mistake, even though I’m still not sure how it happened! I found my flow again but then another mistake. P8. I didn’t have such a good start in the second moto and made my way up from P10. I was riding safe because the track was really sketchy. I have a few positives today, and we’re already looking ahead to Teutschenthal.

P8 | Maxime Grau (Maddii Racing Honda):
Well, P8 overall – what a weekend! We fought hard after two bad starts. I’m so happy. Thanks to my team for the work.

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