MX2 victory for Adamo after Grand Prix of Europe thriller as Lucas Coenen earns his first MXGP podium result

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing came through the third round of the 2025 MXGP season with three podium finishes including a 1-2 in the MX2 class for Andrea Adamo and Simon Laengenfelder and Lucas Coenen securing his first top three result in the MXGP division. The action took place on another weather-hit weekend at the renowned hard-packed and rutty St Jean D’Angely circuit in western France.

  • 3rd overall for Lucas Coenen with the KTM 450 SX-F after the premier class rookie grabs his first checkered flag of the campaign with victory in the Saturday Qualification Heat
  • Former world champion Andrea Adamo takes his first MX2 win of the season with the KTM 250 SX-F and a grandstand finale fight in the second moto at St Jean
  • Simon Laengenfelder goes 1-3 on the day for his first moto success of the term (and Red Bull KTM scoop both moto wins) and his second trophy from the three GPs this year
  • A second moto holeshot for Sacha Coenen but a crash keeps the exciting Belgian down in 7th overall as MXGP now travels into the sand of Riola Sardo for the Grand Prix of Sardinia on 5-6 April

The FIM World Championship transitioned from Spain to France for round three but could not escape the rainy weather with an overcast and showery St Jean D’Angely circuit providing a slick, bumpy and rutty hard-pack surface. Despite the grey climate, the fans packed the opposing hillside and cheered on the gates of the MXGP and MX2 classes for the first of two events based in France this season.

Lucas Coenen set an early marker in the weekend. The Belgian took the lead on the opening lap of the Saturday Qualification race and ran to victory for his first 10 points and MXGP Pole Position. Coenen started brightly again on Sunday where the weather was still unstable and the track was technical and demanding; rewarding riders who could nail the launch from the gate. Lucas rode to a decent 3rd place in the first moto for his highest Sunday race ranking yet and then he worked diligently from the top five in the second race to again take 3rd.

In MX2, the first moto went fantastically for the team and for Austrian machinery with Simon Laengenfelder claiming his first checkered flag of 2025 ahead of Andrea Adamo, followed by Liam Everts and the third Red Bull KTM racer, Sacha Coenen – the Belgian feeling sore after a fall while leading the Qualification race on Saturday – coming home in 4th. The track was drier and tackier but still heavily rutted for moto two. This did not slow the potential of Adamo who charged to P1 after enjoying a close duel with Thibault Benistant that went right to the line. The Italian celebrated his first view from the top of the rostrum since the summer of 2023. Laengenfelder made sure of his second podium of the championship with P3 and placed two Red Bull KTMs 1-2 in the overall standings. Coenen had the holeshot but a crash coming down the hill for the first time meant he had to pick-up and work his way back to 14th for 7th at the end of the day.

The Racestore KTM Factory Rookies team, a key component of the KTM MXGP Academy structure, were able to toast a strong first podium in the EMX125 championship. Teenager Hungarian Aron Katona was 3rd overall for his maiden trophy after winning the second moto with the KTM 125 SX. He placed ahead of Italian teammate Nicolo Alvisi in 4th.

MXGP will take a break for a week and then move back to southern Europe for the journey to Sardinia. The deep and rough sand of Riola Sardo will provide a different technical test on the first weekend of April.

Lucas Coenen, 3rd and 3rd for 3rd overall in MXGP: “What can I say? Speechless! That’s the first podium out the way. We had some difficult times lately but we’ve finally kicked off: 3-3 for 3. I wanted to make another pass in the second moto but it started raining and I just said “stay there and get the first podium. We now have two weeks off to rest and we’ll see what we can do in Sardinia. Thanks to the team and my physio, they worked so hard with me these last few weeks. I cannot thank them enough. We’re now looking forward to building confidence and see where we end up.”

Andrea Adamo, 2nd and 1st for 1st overall in MX2: “Amazing! It’s been a long time. I don’t know how many days or months. I’m happy to be back and to feel that fire and be competitive. That last lap was insane. It was not easy at all with these ruts because you can miss the corners. I’m really happy and I want to keep this momentum.”

Simon Laengenfelder, 1st and 3rd for 2nd overall in MX2: “In the second race I struggled a bit at the beginning to find all the good ruts, it was not that easy, but the riding was not too bad. It was very satisfying to win the first moto and to be on the podium again. I really like the track in Sardinia, so I’m looking forward to it already.”

Sacha Coenen, 4th and 14th for 7th overall in MX2: Not such a good weekend. I had a good flow in the quali moto but then had that crash coming down the hill. I felt fast in the first moto but just couldn’t pass. 4th was not so bad. I did the hard part in the second moto and had the holeshot but I don’t know what happened on the first downhill. I went over the bars and it was difficult to come back. Everybody was very fast. I did the best I could and we took some points.”

 

Results MXGP Europe 2025

 

1. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 1-1

2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 2-2

3. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 3-3

4. Mattia Guadagnini (ITA), Ducati, 4-7

5. Pauls Jonass (LAT), Kawasaki, 6-6

 

Standings MXGP 2025 after 3 of 20 rounds

 

1. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 167

2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 138

3. Maxime Renaux (FRA), Yamaha, 121

4. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 107

5. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Fantic, 107

 

Results MX2 Europe 2025

 

1. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 2-1

2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 1-3

3. Thibault Benistant (FRA), Yamaha, 5-2

4. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna, 3-5

5. Kay de Wolf (NED), Husqvarna, 6-4

7. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 4-14

 

Standings MX2 2025 after 3 of 20 rounds

 

1. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna 135 points

2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 132

3. Kay de Wolf (NED), Husqvarna, 130

4. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 124

5. Thibault Benistant (FRA), Yamaha, 111

6. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 101

 

KTM NEWS

DEFENDING 450MX CHAMPION CHASE SEXTON FINISHES FIFTH IN REDBUD RETURN

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Defending 450MX Champion Chase Sexton made a successful return to racing during Round 6 of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at the RedBud National, with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider scoring a top-five finish overall after showcasing front-running speed throughout the day. In what is considered his home race on the schedule, Sexton powered his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION – which was sporting a unique livery in celebration of the 4th of July weekend – to the eighth fastest qualifying time, with RedBud marking his first appearance since exiting the Fox Raceway season-opener. After scoring a P5 finish in Moto 1 at the iconic Michigan circuit, Sexton charged toward the front of the field in Moto 2, running as high as second place before a late mishap saw him finish fourth. Fifth overall was a convincing result upon return and a solid foundation to build from in the second half of the season. Chase Sexton: "First race back at RedBud wasn't great results-wise, but I didn't really expect a whole lot coming into the round. Second moto, I was pleasantly surprised that even if I wasn't riding great, that my speed was still pretty good. I'm happy with the day – onward and upward from here to build into SMX and try to win some races." 450MX teammate Aaron Plessinger powered his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to the sixth-fastest qualifying time. A P6 finish in Moto 1 was another strong performance for ‘The Cowboy’, despite developing a fever that would ultimately end his weekend early. Together with the team, Plessinger elected to sit out Moto 2 for safety purposes and to prioritize his recovery, currently fifth overall in the point-standings. In 250MX, Tom Vialle qualified sixth overall, before racing to the front of the pack in Moto 1 onboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. After leading the race during its opening stages, Vialle would eventually claim third, before a fall in Moto 2 saw him eventually claim 21st, resulting in P13 for the weekend. After six rounds, Vialle holds P4 in the championship. Tom Vialle: "Practice and qualifying were good, then I was leading Moto 1 for a while until about six or seven laps to go, where I ended up in third. Overall, my speed was much better there than previous rounds, which was good. Unfortunately, I had a crash at the start of the second moto in turn two. I kind of collided with another rider and I flew off the track, so I'm lucky to be alright. I did what I could to come back to 21st, so we'll get back to training in Florida and come out strong in Millville." Equipped with his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, 250MX teammate Julien Beaumer qualified in a promising fifth position, before recording a more challenging 16-13 moto scorecard for 16th overall as the series heads to Spring Creek next weekend. Julien Beaumer: “It was another pretty average day for me. Second moto was off to a better start, but then I crashed late and just struggled to get going again. We'll get some things figured out this week and come back to try again at Millville." Next Race: July 12 – Spring Creek, Minnesota Results 450MX Class – RedBud National 1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 3. Justin Cooper (Yamaha) 4. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) 5. Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 7. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 8. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) 12. Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Standings 450MX Class 2025 after 6 of 11 rounds 1. Jett Lawrence, 290 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 239 3. Justin Cooper, 221 5. Aaron Plessinger, 204 6. RJ Hampshire, 185 11. Malcolm Stewart, 105 17. Justin Barcia, 52 21. Chase Sexton, 35 Results 250MX Class – RedBud National 1. Jo Shimoda (Honda) 2. Jalek Swoll (Triumph) 3. Michael Mosiman (Yamaha) 6. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS) 13. Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 16. Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Standings 250MX Class 2025 after 6 of 11 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan, 274 points 2. Jo Shimoda, 236 3. Levi Kitchen, 189 4. Tom Vialle, 186 13. Julien Beaumer, 106 14. Ryder DiFrancesco, 91 16. Casey Cochran, 88

TOM VIALLE AND RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING LAND SOUTHWICK NATIONAL PODIUM

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A hard-fought podium finish was earned by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Tom Vialle in Round 5 of the 2025 AMA Pro Motocross Championship at the Southwick National, with second place overall elevating him to P3 in the 250MX standings. Dual MX2 World Champion Vialle posted a strong performance at the fifth round of the season in Massachusetts, guiding his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to second position on the combined qualifying timesheets. An early fall in Moto 1 saw the Frenchman rebound to an impressive third-place result after charging his way forward, before another P3 ride in Moto 2 sealed second overall for the day. With his result, the 24-year-old climbs to third in the 250MX standings after his third podium of the year outdoors. Tom Vialle: "I made it tough on myself in Moto 1. I was in third and then tried to make a quick pass on the first lap, but I fell. Crashing on the first lap loses you a lot of positions, so I think I remounted in 12th or 13th. I had a tough race from there, came back to P3, and I felt like my speed was really good, but I used a lot of energy. Second moto, good start and I passed a couple of guys, but I was tired from the first moto using all that energy. Overall, the speed was good, but we’ve still got work to do.” 250MX teammate Julien Beaumer began his weekend with P7 in qualifying, before two challenging races with 18-22 scores onboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION marked a trying weekend in the sand. He's currently ranked 13th in the championship. Julien Beaumer: “That was a really bad day at Southwick. I struggled in the sand, even with the work that we’ve been doing to improve in those conditions – I just need to be better on softer surfaces, but we’ll be better at RedBud.” Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 450MX contender Aaron Plessinger's Southwick National began with him setting the 10th fastest time in qualifying, before taking his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to a fourth place finish in Moto 1. A strong start in Moto 2 saw Plessinger in the mix with the front-runners, holding strong in P4 before a fall cost him energy in the latter stages of the race, with ‘The Cowboy’ finishing in eighth position and being credited P7 overall for the round. With five rounds completed, AP sits fourth in the 450MX standings. Aaron Plessinger: “I struggled at Southwick from the beginning today, but I did get off to an awesome start in Moto 1. I was right toward the front and then I started losing the tow, so finished P4 in that one. In the second moto, I was in a good spot again, but then a small mistake ended with me on the ground. My energy went away with that crash, so I did what I could for eighth. We finished seventh overall, with this being my first time out of the top-five this season. We’ll regroup, rest up, do our homework, and come out swinging at RedBud!” Next Race: July 5 – RedBud, Michigan Results 450MX Class – Southwick National 1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 2. Hunter Lawrence (Honda) 3. Eli Tomac (Yamaha) 6. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) 7. Aaron Plessinger (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 9. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 10. Malcolm Stewart (Husqvarna) Standings 450MX Class 2025 after 5 of 11 rounds 1. Jett Lawrence, 240 points 2. Eli Tomac, 202 3. Hunter Lawrence, 197 4. Aaron Plessinger, 188 6. RJ Hampshire, 149 11. Malcolm Stewart, 82 21. Justin Barcia, 21 Results 250MX Class – Southwick National 1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 2. Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 3. Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) 15. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS) 21. Julien Beaumer (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Standings 250MX Class 2025 after 5 of 11 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan, 244 points 2. Jo Shimoda, 186 3. Tom Vialle, 165 13. Julien Beaumer, 91 14. Casey Cochran, 88 16. Ryder DiFrancesco, 65