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Coenen earns first MXGP moto win as Adamo takes another MX2 podium in Sardinian sand

MXGP encountered its first sandy challenge of the 2025 season with the Grand Prix of Sardinia and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing left the demanding bumps of Riola Sardo with more spoils. Standout performances came from Lucas Coenen on the KTM 450 SX-F who won the first moto on Sunday while Andrea Adamo collected another podium trophy with P3 in MX2. Jeffrey Herlings made his first GP appearance this year, scoring 15th overall.

  • Overcast Sardinia takes MXGP onto Italian terrain for the first time this term and Lucas Coenen says ‘Ciao’ with a dominant first career moto win but then cannot finish the second race
  • Jeffrey Herlings pockets his first MXGP points of 2025 after recovering from right knee surgery performed at the end of October 2024 with 20-7 results and briefly leads the second moto
  • Andrea Adamo finishes on the MX2 podium for the second Grand Prix in a row. The Italian leads the second moto until the final lap and confirms P3 on the day
  • Simon Laengenfelder grabs 4th overall after a consistent day in the sand and Sacha Coenen rounds-out the top five after a hard charge to 4th in the second moto. Red Bull KTM own both MX2 holeshots with the KTM 250 SX-F
  • MXGP makes the relatively short journey across the water to Arco di Trento for round five next week and swaps beaches for mountains, and sand for stony hardpack soil

After the Spanish/French Grand Prix double, MXGP had a week to recuperate before Italian back-to-back fixtures with distinct flavors. First-up for Red Bull KTM was the Grand Prix of Sardinia around the compact, sandy course on the island that serves as a popular off-season training site.

In contrast to Cozar and St Jean D’Angely in recent weeks, the climate was stable on the western tip of the Sardinian territory. Red Bull KTM welcomed all-time record wins holder Jeffrey Herlings back in the awning for the Dutchman’s return to world championship competition and where he steers the KTM 450 SX-F for the eighth consecutive season. Teammate classmate Lucas Coenen was the marker for speed and rhythm in the first MXGP moto. The youngster led from the start until the checkered flag and even a small, late tip-over was not enough to derail the rookie from his first 25 points. Herlings didn’t get the best start and weathered arm-pump to ride to 20th. In the second race Coenen had to pick-up and restart in last place after a crash when he clipped the inside bank of the first turn. The Belgian charged back to the fringe of the top ten but two more mistakes ended his moto early, meaning 7th overall. Herlings had a decent getaway and led the first three laps of 18 before guiding the #84 KTM across the line in 7th; a result earned with less than a week of saddle time after a six-month lay-off.

In MX2 Sacha Coenen and Andrea Adamo blasted to the holeshots. Coenen achieved the distinction in the first moto before an error dropped the Belgian down the order and he fought back to 5th. Sacha barreled to the top four in the second race to take 5th overall, classifying behind the steady Simon Laengenfelder, who was close to a third podium of the season with a 3-6 scorecard and took maximum points on Saturday by owning the Qualifying race. Adamo, who won the French Grand Prix two weeks ago, almost had the flag in the second moto but was denied by world champion Kay de Wolf. P2 was still sufficient for 3rd for the Grand Prix.

The Racestore KTM Factory Rookies team again had cause to celebrate for the third date in the 2025 EMX125 championship. Hungarian Aron Katona grasped his first checkered flag in France and then added to the tally with an impressive 1-1 and overall success in Sardinia. #817 also rose to 1st place in the championship standings. Riola Sardo was near perfect for the squad as Nicolo Alvisi was confirmed as runner-up by finishing 2nd and 4th with the KTM 125 SX.

The Italian theme for MXGP continues this week as the series moves to the mainland and to the north for the Grand Prix of Trentino. The hardpacked Pietramurata circuit in Arco di Trento and close to Lake Garda will stage round five and where Red Bull KTM scored victory in the MX2 class last year.

Lucas Coenen, 1st and DNF for 7th overall in MXGP: “I felt good in Timed Practice and almost won the qualifying race but things went even better in the first moto on Sunday. I made the start I wanted and then just controlled the gap. I don’t know what happened at the start of the second moto: I think somebody hit me into the first turn. I came back to 8th or 9th until I found another rider in mid-air and then crashed. The weekend was done. Good and bad. More luck next weekend I hope.”

Jeffrey Herlings, 20th and 7th for 15th overall in MXGP: “We decided at the last minute to come to this race and use it as the best practice. Yes, a P20 can hurt but…I think it was just my sixth day on the bike after six months. So, for the circumstances I think it was quite good today. It was the first time I’d done a 35-minute moto! We got some points and finishing 7th in the second moto was quite good. Now just to build and get better every single week. Step-by-step now.”

Andrea Adamo, 4th and 2nd for 3rd overall in MX2: “Super-weekend. I was consistent. I led a little bit in the second moto – it is not easy to beat Sacha for the holeshot! - and I was following Kay then he made a mistake and I could breathe a little. I knew he would come back though! It’s a bummer. I wanted that win. But, anyway, I’m super-happy with the race, my fitness and my speed and being on the podium again. Compared to last year this is a step ahead. Let’s go to the next one.”

Simon Laengenfelder, 3rd and 6th for 4th overall in MX2: “The weekend was just OK. A good qualifying win on Saturday but I had to come from outside the top ten in the first moto and got back to 3rd: that was good. I felt fast on the bike and could push. Second race I got cut-off at the start and struggled to push back due to some stomach pain. 6th was not ideal but it was a half-positive weekend and we have stuff to work on for the next rounds.”

Sacha Coenen, 5th and 4th for 5th overall in MX2: “Today went quite well. I led almost the whole first moto but just made a mistake on a jump when I was with Kay. So that meant 5th. I was a bit disappointed and then my reaction was not the best at the start of the second race. I was also hit by someone else’s handlebar. At that point I just said, “give it everything” and rode really well. I had a little contact with [Camden] McLellan and then decided to take P4 and collect the points. A better weekend than the last one.”

 

Results MXGP Sardinia 2025

 

1. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 4-1

2. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Fantic, 2-3

3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 5-2

4. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA), Fantic, 3-5

5. Kevin Horgmo (NOR), Honda, 7-8

7. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 1-DNF

15. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 20-7

 

Standings MXGP 2025 after 4 of 20 rounds

 

1. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 215

2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 181

3. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Fantic, 156

4. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 141

5. Maxime Renaux (FRA), Yamaha, 125

 

Results MX2 Sardinia 2025

 

1. Kay de Wolf (NED), Husqvarna, 1-1

2. Camden McLellan (RSA), Triumph, 2-3

3. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 4-2

4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 3-6

5. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 5-4

6. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna, 6-5

 

Standings MX2 2025 after 4 of 20 rounds

 

1. Kay de Wolf (NED), Husqvarna, 185 points

2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 177

3. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna 175 points

4. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 171

6. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 143

KTM NEWS

TOM VIALLE AND RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING FINISH SECOND IN 250SMX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Tom Vialle has finished runner-up in the 250SMX Class of the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) following the final round at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Vialle qualified fifth on the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION and put himself in good position during Moto 1, taking the checkered flag in third position. The two-time MX2 World Champion and this year's AMA Supercross 250SX East Champion was challenging for the lead in the final encounter when he went down, managing to remount for a P8 result. Those finishes positioned the Frenchman fifth overall for the round, which in turn saw him captured second in the 250SMX World Championship for season 2024. Tom Vialle: "I'm pretty happy, the result was good this year, and we were strong across each series. I had a bad start in the first moto and then the second one was better, but I was really frustrated after the second moto because I was feeling really good before the crash. It was a little bit up and down this season, so now I look forward to the Nations and that will be a lot of fun next." Las Vegas started strongly for rookie teammate Julien Beaumer in qualifying second on the combined timesheets, but he was affected by poor track position across the two motos. After completing Lap 1 on 17th, he climbed to 11th in Moto 1, and then finished Moto 2 in ninth for P9 overall. He was seventh in the final 250SMX standings. Julien Beaumer: "Tough night! My riding was really good, I just didn't execute the starts, and on a track like this you need that track position early because it's hard to pass. It's been a good year, we made some big steps as a rookie, and the plan is to be up front next year." Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider Aaron Plessinger was a picture of consistency tonight in the 450SMX class. After qualifying his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION in P9, The Cowboy went 4-4 for fourth overall in Las Vegas, which also placed him P4 in the SuperMotocross World Championship for 2024. Aaron Plessinger: "Vegas was a really good. I was comfortable on the bike from the start and I had a really good start in the first one, ended up getting fourth in that, so I was pumped. Second moto, I rode really good again, and went fourth again, so after the last two weeks I will take that, for sure. We also moved to fourth in the points, so it was a good way to end the season like that." After entering the SMX Final in contention for the 450SMX title, reigning AMA Pro Motocross 450MX Champion Chase Sexton's chances unfortunately ended prematurely on the opening lap of Moto 1 tonight. The Red Bull KTM rider came together with another rider and injured his right hand, which ruled him out for the remainder of the evening. After finishing third in the AMA Supercross 450SX Championship and dominating the outdoors, Chase was placed seventh in the final SMX standings. An update on the extent of his injury will be made available after he undergoes further medical evaluations. Results 450SMX Class – SMX Final 1. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda 2. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), Honda 3. Eli Tomac (USA), Yamaha 4. Aaron Plessinger (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 8. Justin Barcia (USA), GASGAS 22. Malcolm Stewart (USA), Husqvarna 23. Christian Craig (USA), Husqvarna 24. Chase Sexton (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Standings 450SMX Class 2024 after 3 of 3 rounds 1. Jett Lawrence, 156 points 2. Hunter Lawrence, 156 3. Eli Tomac, 129 4. Aaron Plessinger, 116 7. Chase Sexton, 89 9. Justin Barcia, 75 17. Malcolm Stewart, 48 20. Christian Craig, 34 Results 250SMX Class – SMX Final 1. Pierce Brown (USA), GASGAS 2. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha 3. Jordon Smith (USA), Yamaha 5. Tom Vialle (FRA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 9. Julien Beaumer (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 11. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), GASGAS Standings 250SMX Class 2024 after 3 of 3 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan, 166 points 2. Tom Vialle, 132 3. Pierce Brown, 131 7. Julien Beaumer, 108 11. Ryder DiFrancesco, 72 16. RJ Hampshire, 36 28. Casey Cochran, 4

CHASE SEXTON AND TOM VIALLE IN SMX TITLE CONTENTION AFTER TEXAS PLAYOFF 2 PODIUMS

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Chase Sexton won the second 450SMX moto and claimed P2 overall in Playoff 2 of the 2024 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) post-season at Texas Motor Speedway, as teammate Tom Vialle finished second in the 250SMX Class. Both are in title contention entering next weekend's SMX Final. After setting the pace in Free Practice on Friday, Sexton qualified his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION fourth in Fort Worth. Moto 1 saw the reigning Pro Motocross Champion sprint to P4, but he was saving his best until last when he took a commanding second moto victory with a winning margin of 9.897s. That placed him second on the podium, and with triple points on offer in Las Vegas, Sexton sits one point outside of the series lead in what will be a winner-takes-all scenario next Saturday night. Chase Sexton: "Getting a start is one of the key factors, but we actually made a change right before Moto 1 and I felt like I rode pretty well, but was just way back. In Moto 2, I got a good start and was able to ride my own laps – I felt like I did back in Pro Motocross. It was a good race, we ended up second overall, so we will try to keep building and come out swinging for Vegas!" Still managing the effects of his crash from Charlotte one week ago, 450SMX teammate Aaron Plessinger was eighth in combined qualifying, and then went on to record 9-7 scores for seventh overall in a gritty performance from 'The Cowboy'. Plessinger is currently ranked fifth in the premier class title race with one round to go, motivated to finish on a strong note at the SMX Final. Aaron Plessinger: "Second playoff of SMX went okay – I rode my outdoor suspension on this one and it was a little soft. I got off to a pretty bad start in the first one, was working my way up, and jumped off the track, so finished ninth. In the second one, I got a really good start, was running up front and my shoulder started feeling it, and I ended up dropping back to seventh. Not where we want to be, but we will try to improve a little bit for Vegas and the final round." Texas saw current 250SX East Champion Tom Vialle rebound for his first 250SMX podium of the year in second overall onboard the KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION. After qualifying in position six – within a second of the fastest lap time – Vialle finished third in Moto 1, then charged to a confidence-inspiring second as the checkered flag flew in the final encounter. He is now P2 in the standings, 19 points outside of the lead entering Las Vegas. Tom Vialle: "We are happy with the result today. The track was not easy – the same for everyone, of course – but I kept pushing until the very end. In the final moto, I was catching Haiden [Deegan] a little bit, but came up short. It was nice to be in the fight and it was a good race to get us ready for next weekend." Last weekend saw rookie Julien Beaumer earn a first-career podium and he backed that up with P5 this weekend at SMX Playoff 2. While not entirely satisfied with his result, it was another promising performance from the teenager, as consistent 5-6 results placed him inside the top five overall. Beaumer is also positioned fifth in the championship tally, eager to finish strongly at next weekend's decider. Julien Beaumer: "It was a tough day for me. I never really had the feeling I was looking for on this track, but P5 was a good result. We got a little bit better in that second moto, so not my best day, but fifth on a weekend that I didn't feel too good, we will take that and be ready to fight going into Vegas." Next Race: September 21 – Las Vegas, Nevada (SMX Final) Results 450SMX Class – SMX Playoff 2 1. Hunter Lawrence (AUS), Honda 2. Chase Sexton (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 3. Jett Lawrence (AUS), Honda 7. Aaron Plessinger (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 12. Justin Barcia (USA), GASGAS 13. Malcolm Stewart (USA), Husqvarna 14. Christian Craig (USA), Husqvarna Standings 450SMX Class 2024 after 2 of 3 rounds 1. Hunter Lawrence, 90 points 2. Chase Sexton, 89 3. Jett Lawrence, 81 5. Aaron Plessinger, 62 9. Malcolm Stewart, 48 12. Christian Craig, 34 14. Justin Barcia, 33 Results 250SMX Class – SMX Playoff 2 1. Haiden Deegan (USA), Yamaha 2. Tom Vialle (FRA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 3. Jo Shimoda (JPN), Honda 5. Julien Beaumer (USA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 7. Pierce Brown (USA), GASGAS 13. Ryder DiFrancesco (USA), GASGAS 15. RJ Hampshire (USA), Husqvarna Standings 250SMX Class 2024 after 2 of 3 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan, 100 points 2. Tom Vialle, 81 3. Levi Kitchen, 78 5. Julien Beaumer, 69 7. Pierce Brown, 56 12. Ryder DiFrancesco, 39 13. RJ Hampshire, 36 26. Casey Cochran, 4