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MXGP unbeaten streak continues for Red Bull KTM with Portuguese Grand Prix supremacy

Lucas Coenen and Andrea Adamo ruled proceedings for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing at a muddy Agueda for the Portuguese Grand Prix and the seventh round of 2025 MXGP. The Belgian and Italian won their Qualification Heats and the difficult and demanding motos in MXGP and MX2 for an ‘orange wash’ with KTM SX-F technology.

  • Lucas Coenen continues to head the MXGP class in his rookie season and goes 1-1 for the second meeting in a row to move into title contention
  • Jeffrey Herlings runs to 9th after another two weeks of recovery and domestic race mileage but takes a heavy hit on Saturday in Portugal. The Grand Prix wins record holder was 10-7 on Sunday
  • Andrea Adamo goes 1-1 for the first time this season in MX2 and with three overall wins is the most prolific racer in the category so far. #80 also won the Saturday Qualification Heat for the GP ‘triple’
  • Simon Laengenfelder appears on the podium for the second Grand Prix in a row with a hard-fought 3rd place and is close to the top of the championship standings
  • Sacha Coenen leads both MX2 motos but counts the costs of mistakes in the first race to go 19-2 on the day for P7 in the rankings
  • MXGP makes the short hop north for the Grand Prix of Lugo and round eight next weekend

The team rolled into Agueda fresh from their double victory success two weeks previously in Switzerland where Lucas Coenen and Simon Laengenfelder triumphed in their respective categories for the first time this season. The crew were slightly apprehensive of another grim weather forecast and a repeat of the mudder from 2024. The showers poured on Saturday for the Qualification Heats. Andrea Adamo emerged from the slick mud with his second MX2 Pole Position, with Sacha Coenen in P2 and Laengenfelder obtaining points for P5. Lucas Coenen profited from his decent start to ease to another Saturday victory (his second of 2025). Jeffrey Herlings was 2nd until a last lap slip and was then clipped by another rider and was lucky to escape injury, aside from a painful torso that affected his Sunday speed.

Sunday was stormy and changeable. Heavy rain in the morning flooded the track and forced a delay to the MX2 and MXGP program. Sunshine appeared in the afternoon and helped to improve the conditions but the track was still very rutted and boggy, applying a slice of fortune to the final results sheets.

Lucas Coenen threaded his way through the red ooze for the holeshot and an early lead in the first MXGP race and then withheld pressure from Romain Febvre to grasp his fifth consecutive checkered flag, third GP moto win in succession and fourth of the campaign. In a drier second outing (later hit by another shower) the Belgian starlet again edged the holeshot with his KTM 450 SX-F and again led Febvre to go 1-1-1. Two weeks after becoming the youngest winner ever in the premier class, Coenen now has three podiums and is P3 in the championship, 43 points adrift of P1.

Herlings fought his way to 10th and then registered a 7th in the second moto for 9th overall and more progress considering the lack of an off-season.

Andrea Adamo won a very tough first MX2 moto with Agueda in its worst and most treacherous state. Sacha Coenen led for the first three laps but then a pair of crashes put him down to 19th. Adamo crafted a margin ahead of Kay De Wolf and Simon Laengenfelder, who tussled with the Dutchman for P2. Even through the German had to ditch his goggles with ten minutes he was still able to confirm the runner-up spot nearly 13 seconds behind Adamo. The Italian holeshotted the second moto and then carefully stalked Coenen until making the pass for the lead at mid-race distance. The teammates took a 1-2 with Laengenfelder making it to the line in 4th after recovering from a first lap spill. Adamo celebrated his third victory and his fourth podium appearance from the last five events – closing to just 10 points from the peak of the MX2 table - while Laengenfelder also lifted his fourth trophy of 2025 and is only 4 points from the red plate. Coenen was 7th overall and is 6th in the standings.

Another meeting for the European Championship and the EMX125 and EMX250 categories meant a further weekend of competition and learning for both the Racestore KTM Factory Rookies Team (EMX125 with the KTM 125 SX) and Gabriel SS24 KTM Factory Juniors squad (EMX250 with the KTM 250 SX-F). Nicolo Alvisi and Aron Katona scored an impressive 1-2 in the first EMX125 moto on Saturday but the deluge of rain made the surface worse to deal with on Sunday. Alvisi was 7th for the second step of the podium while Katona DNF-ed (taking 11th overall) but still leads the championship by 26 points. Gyan Doensen raced to a 7-17 for 10th in EMX250.

After a successful inauguration in 2024 with the Grand Prix of Galicia, the tight circuit in Lugo will now host the Spanish GP next weekend. EMX250 will also travel with the FIM world championship classes while EMX125 next comes to the gate in France for round nine of MXGP.

Lucas Coenen, 1st and 1st for 1st overall in MXGP: “A really good weekend. 1-1 again and the three motos! The rain made the track so sketchy and I was all over the place but it was a positive first moto; good start and I tried to ride smart. It was hard to handle all those edges in the ruts with the 450 but we made it happen. In the second moto I managed the pressure from Romain and I was a bit nervous at times but I’m so happy to win again. Let’s go again in Lugo.”

Jeffrey Herlings, 10th and 7th for 9th overall in MXGP: “Yesterday we were quite hopeful until the crash in the Heat when I was thinking about pushing for the lead. I was hit by another rider and bruised my ribs and had a sore elbow. I was struggling with the ribs today and I could feel every bump. It was annoying! We could finish 10-7 and that’s not what we wanted from this GP but after Saturday I think it was OK. I’ll definitely be 100% for the next race and I hope to be closer to that top five.”

Andrea Adamo, 1st and 1st for 1st overall in MX2: “I rode well, really well. No mistakes and good starts, especially yesterday, and that put me in a good position for today, which was really important with the weather. In the first moto the conditions were crazy but the second moto was not too bad. 1-1-1: it’s the first time for me, so I’m super-happy.”

Simon Laengenfelder, 2nd and 4th for 3rd overall in MX2: “So much mud! It was really hard to pass in the first moto, there was a lot of water and even though they worked on the track there was only one line. It was difficult but I could get Kay for 2nd. I folded the front on the first lap of the second moto and had to come from last. I had a good feeling on the bike though and unfortunately I ran out of tear-offs which made overtaking a challenge. A decent second race but a bit unlucky. Today could have been much better.”

Sacha Coenen, 19th and 2nd for 7th overall: “Better than the last GP. We made quite a lot of changes to the set-up of the bike in the last two weeks and I was feeling good on Saturday. I had a comfortable lead in the first moto but just jumped a little off track and got stuck in a mud pile. Anyway, we had good speed. The second moto was OK, Andrea was a bit faster today but P2 is more of what we need.”

Joel Smets, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: “I’m really, really proud of this win and career milestone for Andrea. When he came into the team we could see that he has a lot of heart and is a hard worker and after winning the championship then having a difficult year and to come back and do well in this season I cannot be prouder. He deserves it. In MXGP we know that these conditions can see Jeffrey Herlings in ‘beast mode’ but we have to understand that he is not there yet to ride at his full potential. I am confident that we are not far away and we will be fighting for podiums soon.”

 

Results MXGP Portugal 2025

 

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

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

3. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 3-3

4. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA), Fantic, 6-5

5. Pauls Jonass (LAT), Kawasaki, 4-8

9. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 10-7

 

Standings MXGP 2025 after 7 of 20 rounds

 

1. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 330 points

2. Tim Gajser (SLO), Honda, 305

3. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 287

4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED), Fantic, 250

5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP), Honda, 223

16. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 94

 

Results MX2 Portugal 2025

 

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

2. Kay de Wolf (NED), Husqvarna, 3-3

3. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 2-4

4. Mathis Valin (FRA), Kawasaki, 6-5

5. Quentin Marc Prugnieres (FRA), KTM, 5-10

7. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 19-2

18. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna, 11-0

 

Standings MX2 2025 after 7 of 20 rounds

 

1. Kay de Wolf (NED), Husqvarna, 328 points

2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 324

3. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 318

4. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna 269

5. Thibault Benistant (FRA), Yamaha 225

6. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 222

KTM NEWS

CHASE SEXTON AND RED BULL KTM FACTORY RACING EARN CHARLOTTE SMX PLAYOFF PODIUM

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A weather-affected commencement to the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Playoffs at Charlotte’s zMAX Dragway saw Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Chase Sexton earn second overall as a result of his Moto 1 score this afternoon, with the second 450SMX and 250SMX motos canceled following an extended delay due to lightning in the area. Sexton powered his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION to the fastest time in combined qualifying while working his way back into racing after a stint on the sidelines, before charging to a hard-fought P2 finish in Moto 1 as he surged forward through the field. With lightning emerging directly following the first 450SMX race, teams and riders were then placed in a holding pattern waiting for the weather to pass, however, it didn’t materialize as the event was eventually called altogether. As a result, Sexton’s Moto 1 score is where he would finish overall in the first of three post-season rounds, with the next event taking place at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri, next weekend. He has also climbed to second in the overall SMX standings. Chase Sexton: "Round one of the Playoffs here in Charlotte was a good day. I qualified first, then finished second in Moto 1 after getting a really good start – I just went too wide and had to come back from fifth or so. I had a good flow, even if the track was really sketchy today, so I’m happy to be leaving healthy. We go into the next race nine points down, and we have double and triple points upcoming. It’s time to shine and have some good upcoming weekends.” In 250SMX, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing's Tom Vialle qualified eighth fastest onboard his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, navigating the ultra-technical zMAX Dragway layout to earn P7 in Moto 1 after making a strong start. Without contesting a second moto, the two-time MX2 world champion and reigning 250SX East title-holder collected seventh overall for the day. Tom Vialle: “We couldn’t ride the second moto here in Charlotte because of the weather, which is unfortunate. I had a great start in Moto 1, and I think I was in fourth, but I was struggling a little bit with getting comfortable on the track – it was really deep all weekend on both Friday and Saturday. I finished seventh and that was the result for today, as they canceled the second moto. We’ll get back to training and be ready for next weekend and then the Final, which will be very important with all the points on the line.” 250SMX teammate Julien Beaumer endured a more difficult day at SMX Playoff 1, recording the 11th fastest time in the opening 250SMX qualifying session on his KTM 250 SX-F FACTORY EDITION, before an incident in the second timed session ended his weekend early. The 19-year-old was transported to hospital, where it was confirmed that he sustained a burst fracture of his L3 vertebra and has since undergone surgery to stabilize the injury. Next Race: September 13 – St. Louis, Missouri Results 450SMX Class – SMX Playoff 1 1. Jett Lawrence (Honda) 2. Chase Sexton (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) 3. Eli Tomac (Yamaha) 5. RJ Hampshire (Husqvarna) 10. Justin Barcia (GASGAS) 13. Justin Hill (KTM) Standings 450SMX Class 2025 after 1 of 3 rounds 1. Jett Lawrence, 47 points 2. Chase Sexton, 38 3. Justin Cooper, 36 7. RJ Hampshire, 29 9. Justin Barcia, 25 12. Malcolm Stewart, 20 13. Aaron Plessinger, 14 Results 250SMX Class – SMX Playoff 1 1. Haiden Deegan (Yamaha) 2. Seth Hammaker (Kawasaki) 3. Jo Shimoda (Honda) 6. Ryder DiFrancesco (GASGAS) 7. Tom Vialle (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) Standings 250SMX Class 2025 after 1 of 3 rounds 1. Haiden Deegan, 50 points 2. Jo Shimoda, 42 3. Seth Hammaker, 34 4. Tom Vialle, 33 9. Ryder DiFrancesco, 23 14. Julien Beaumer, 15

MXGP victory for Herlings in Turkey as Red Bull KTM win both classes once more

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MXGP entered the final three weeks and last three fixtures of the 2025 season with a trip to the flat, hardpacked Afyon circuit hosting the Grand Prix of Turkey. Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Jeffrey Herlings won for the second race in a row and for the fourth time with his 2025 KTM 450 SX-F. Simon Laengenfelder was the overall winner in MX2 with the KTM 250 SX-F – the sixth time the German has stood on top of the box in 2025 –as the series waved goodbye to European terrain. Red Bull KTM ruled both Qualification Heats and all four motos in Afyon.

ONGOING RECOVERY RULES AARON PLESSINGER OUT OF SMX FINALS SERIES

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Red Bull KTM Factory Racing fan favorite Aaron Plessinger has unfortunately been ruled out of the 2025 SuperMotocross World Championship (SMX) Finals series, prioritizing his health while still working to regain 100 percent fitness. Plessinger sat out the final four rounds of the Pro Motocross season while aiming to recover in time for SMX Playoff 1 scheduled for this Saturday, September 6, at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, but the decision has now been made to focus on 2026. After finishing sixth in the 450SX standings at the conclusion of Supercross, 'The Cowboy' went on to claim P8 in 450MX outdoors despite missing the final portion of the series. As a result, he earned his place in the playoffs as the eighth seed overall. Although he will be unable to mount his KTM 450 SX-F FACTORY EDITION this weekend, Plessinger will be on location to meet fans alongside his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing teammates Chase Sexton, Tom Vialle and Julien Beaumer, who are all READY TO RACE and will be back on track for the playoffs. Aaron Plessinger: "Unfortunate news, but as much as I would like to race these next few races in SMX, what I've been dealing with is taking a little bit longer than expected to come back around, so I'm sitting these next three out. I will be at Charlotte though, signing autographs and hanging out so come and see me, but as far as training and racing goes, I will be getting ready for 2026 once I am back on the bike. For myself and also my health heading into next season, this is the best move. I just wanted to say good luck to all my team and all of my teammates – go get 'em, boys!" Ian Harrison, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Manager: "As much as we love having Aaron at the races every weekend, recovery is the top priority and although he is on the mend he is still not one 100 percent just yet. With that, he will miss the three SMX rounds, but all is not lost for his race fans as The Cowboy will be in Charlotte this weekend to meet with fans and cheer on his teammates."