The 2026 FIM World Motocross Championship heads to the iconic Loket circuit in the Czech Republic this weekend, where both the MXGP and MX2 title races have tightened dramatically following the action at Foxhill.
Images courtesy of Dave Rich
Remarkably, just 11 points separate the top two riders in both classes as the series enters round 13, setting the stage for another pivotal weekend on one of the calendar’s most demanding hard-pack circuits.
Loket has been a fixture on the MXGP calendar since 1995 and remains one of the championship’s most popular venues. The fast, technical layout has crowned some of the sport’s greatest riders, with Antonio Cairoli holding the record for the most race victories at the Czech circuit.
Coenen under pressure in MXGP
Lucas Coenen still arrives with the MXGP red plate, but the Belgian’s commanding championship lead disappeared at Foxhill after a heavy Qualifying Race crash ruled him out of both motos on Sunday. That opened the door for Jeffrey Herlings, who capitalised with the overall victory to reduce the deficit to just 11 points.
Coenen won at Loket for the first time last season, but his fitness remains one of the biggest talking points heading into the weekend.
Lurking just behind is reigning world champion Romain Febvre, who trails by 70 points but boasts an excellent record around the Czech venue with three overall victories. Herlings also has three GP wins at Loket despite missing numerous editions through injury, making both veterans genuine favourites if Coenen is anything less than 100 per cent.
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Tim Gajser arrives with renewed confidence after ending a six-round podium drought at Foxhill, while Ruben Fernandez, Andrea Adamo and Tom Vialle will all be aiming to build momentum as the season enters its final stretch.
There is also a welcome return for Kay de Wolf after injury, although Pauls Jonass misses the Czech round following the concussion he sustained at Foxhill.
On the British front, Ben Watson and Adam Sterry will be looking to continue to nudge up towards the sharp end after promising rounds at the British GP
MXGP – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), 566 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, HON), 555 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 494 p.; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, YAM), 452 p.; 5. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 392 p.; 6. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 378 p.; 7. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 375 p.; 8. Tom Vialle (FRA, HON), 317 p.; 9. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 273 p.; 10. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KAW), 273 p.;
Farres carries momentum into MX2
The MX2 championship has been turned on its head in recent weeks, with Guillem Farres arriving at Loket as the championship leader after three consecutive Grand Prix victories.
The Triumph Racing rider carries the red plate for the first time in his career and leads Sacha Coenen by 11 points, while Simon Längenfelder remains firmly in contention after back-to-back Qualifying Race victories. The German is also the only current MX2 rider to have won a Grand Prix overall at Loket, making him one to watch this weekend.
Liam Everts continues to regain form following his injury-hit start to the season, while Janis Reisulis, Camden McLellan and local favourite Julius Mikula will all be aiming to challenge at the front. Mikula, now firmly established inside the championship’s top 10, is expected to enjoy huge support from the home crowd.
Flying the Union Jack will be GP regular Ollie Colmer, who will be joined by Billy Askew and Joe Brookes, both of whom showed their potential at Foxhill.
MX2 – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Guillem Farres (ESP, TRI), 563 points; 2. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 552 p.; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), 521 p.; 4. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 501 p.; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, HUS), 477 p.; 6. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 434 p.; 7. Mathis Valin (FRA, KAW), 352 p.; 8. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 336 p.; 9. Valerio Lata (ITA, HON), 307 p.; 10. Julius Mikula (CZE, KTM), 253 p.
British interest in the EMX finals
Away from the World Championship classes, three European titles will be decided at Loket as the EMX2T Championship joins the EMX65 and EMX85 European Championship finals.
There will be plenty of British interest in the youth categories.
Jack Waters heads into the EMX65 final full of confidence after winning the Estonian semi-final to book his place in the championship decider. The young Brit has impressed throughout the qualifying process and will be aiming to finish his European campaign with another strong result, as will Tommy Wood, who was also in the top ten in the semi-final.
Harry Dale will also carry British hopes in the EMX85 final after finishing third in the Estonian semi-final behind Latvian twins Martins and Patriks Cirulis. Dale has shown impressive pace throughout the season and will be looking to challenge Europe’s best youngsters on one of motocross’s most iconic circuits.
A whole host of other Brits join Dale in the EMX85 class including Jett Gardiner, Nixon Coppins, Arthur King, Cohen Jagielski and Casey Lister, while in the EMX2T Max Harris and Jake Preston are in the 65-rider line-up.
With two world championship battles separated by just 11 points and three European titles on the line, Loket promises another crucial weekend as the 2026 MXGP season heads into its decisive phase.
TIMETABLE
SATURDAY:
07:00 EMX2T Group 1 Free Practice, 07:25 EMX2T Group 2 Free Practice, 07:50 EMX65 Free Practice, 08:15 EMX85 Free Practice, 08:45 EMX2T Group 1 Qualifying Practice, 09:20 EMX2T Group 2 Qualifying Practice, 09:55 EMX65 Qualifying Practice, 10:30 MX2 Free Practice, 11:00 MXGP Free Practice, 12:05 EMX85 Qualifying Practice, 13:00 EMX2T Race 1, 13:45 MX2 Time Practice, 14:20 MXGP Time Practice, 15:15 EMX65 Race 1, 15:50 EMX85 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP Qualifying Race.
SUNDAY:
08:40 EMX2T Race 2, 09:55 EMX65 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX85 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.
