After a run of hard-pack circuits, the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship heads back into the deep sand this weekend as the legendary Lommel circuit hosts round 14 of the season and the MXGP of Flanders.
Images courtesy of Infront Moto Racing
Widely regarded as one of the toughest tracks in world motocross, the Belgian venue is renowned for its brutal conditions, with deep, ever-changing sand putting both riders and machinery to the ultimate test.
MXGP
After a run of hard-pack circuits, the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship heads back into the deep sand this weekend as the legendary Lommel circuit hosts round 14 of the season.
Widely regarded as one of the toughest tracks in world motocross, the Belgian venue is renowned for its brutal conditions, with deep, ever-changing sand putting both riders and machinery to the ultimate test.
Championship leader Jeffrey Herlings arrives in Belgium with the MXGP red plate after claiming his seventh overall victory of the season at Loket. The Dutchman is no stranger to success at Lommel, having won four Grands Prix at the circuit, and will be aiming to become the most successful rider in the venue’s history.
Home hopes largely rest on Lucas Coenen, although the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider faces a race against time to line up after picking up an injury last weekend. Fellow Belgian Jago Geerts will also be looking to shine in front of his home fans, while Brent van Doninck knows the Lommel circuit as well as anyone and will be hoping to challenge towards the front.
There is also plenty of British interest in the premier class, with Ben Watson, Adam Sterry and Tom Grimshaw all entered. Watson has previously enjoyed success in the Lommel sand, while Sterry and Grimshaw will be aiming to make the most of one of the toughest tests on the calendar.
MXGP – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, HON), 615 points; 2. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), 566 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 541 p.; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, YAM), 489 p.; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 414 p.; 6. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 411 p.; 7. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 408 p.; 8. Tom Vialle (FRA, HON), 367 p.; 9. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 292 p.; 10. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KAW), 273 p.
MX2
In MX2, Guillem Farres heads to Belgium full of confidence after four consecutive Grand Prix victories and retains a 33-point advantage at the top of the championship.
The Triumph rider has been the form man in recent weeks, but Lommel presents an entirely different challenge. Home favourite Sacha Coenen will be looking to close the gap in front of the Belgian fans if fully fit, while fellow Belgian Liam Everts will be hoping to secure his first home GP podium after showing improved form in recent rounds.
Farres’ teammate Camden McLellan is also expected to be a major contender thanks to his renowned sand-riding ability, while former World Champion Simon Längenfelder will be looking to keep himself firmly in the title fight.
British hopes in MX2 rest with Ollie Colmer, who continues to gain valuable experience in his rookie World Championship campaign.
MX2 – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Guillem Farres (ESP, TRI), 618 points; 2. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 585 p.; 3. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 548 p.; 4. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), 547 p.; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, HUS), 520 p.; 6. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 476 p.; 7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 376 p.; 8. Mathis Valin (FRA, KAW), 352 p.; 9. Valerio Lata (ITA, HON), 332 p.; 10. Julius Mikula (CZE, KTM), 283 p.
EMX250 & EMX Open
The EMX250 European Championship resumes after its summer break, although championship leader Francisco Garcia is expected to miss the round through injury, opening the door for his rivals to reduce his sizeable points advantage.
Belgian youngster Jarne Bervoets will be one of the home favourites after winning the EMX125 class at Lommel last season and will be eager to impress in front of the local crowd once again.
British duo Billy Askew and Joe Brookes are also on the entry list as they continue their EMX250 campaigns.
Meanwhile, the EMX Open Championship takes centre stage for its standalone title-deciding event. Former Grand Prix winner Ken de Dycker gives the home fans another rider to cheer for as he returns to race on Belgian soil, although there are no British riders entered in the class this weekend.
TIMETABLE
FRIDAY: 16:00 Blåkläder Start Practice MXGP, 16:35 Blåkläder Start Practice MX2
SATURDAY: 09:10 EMX Open Free Practice, 09:40 EMX250 Free Practice, 10:30 MX2 Free Practice, 11:00 MXGP Free Practice, 12:20 EMX Open Qualifying Practice, 13:00 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:00 EMX Open Race 1, 15:45 EMX250 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP Qualifying Race.
SUNDAY: 09:40 EMX Open Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 EMX250 Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.
