The 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship reaches its halfway stage this weekend as MXGP returns to South Africa for the first time in 18 years.
Images courtesy of Infront Moto Racing
Round 11 of the 19-round championship takes place at the Terra Topia MX Track on the outskirts of Johannesburg, marking just the sixth Motocross Grand Prix ever held in South Africa and the first since 2008.
That last visit saw Britain’s Tommy Searle claim victory in the MX2 class for KTM, while Spain’s Jonathan Barragán topped the MX1 podium.
This weekend’s event presents a unique challenge for the world’s best riders. Sitting almost 1,800 metres above sea level, the Johannesburg circuit’s high altitude will reduce engine power and increase the physical demands on riders, while a combination of deep sand, fast forest sections and technical terrain promises an exciting weekend of racing.
Lucas Coenen Continues to Lead MXGP
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Lucas Coenen heads into the second half of the season with a 57-point advantage at the top of the MXGP World Championship.
However, five-time World Champion Jeffrey Herlings arrives in South Africa full of confidence after winning the last two Grands Prix and will be aiming to make it three in succession.
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Defending World Champion Romain Febvre remains third in the standings and continues his search for a first overall Grand Prix victory of the 2026 campaign.
Home favourite Calvin Vlaanderen will also be one of the riders attracting plenty of attention. Born in South Africa, the Red Bull Ducati Factory MX Team rider finally gets the opportunity to race a home Grand Prix for the first time in his career.
Tight Battle Continues in MX2
The MX2 World Championship also remains finely poised.
Sacha Coenen continues to lead the standings, but Triumph Factory Racing’s Guillem Farres significantly closed the gap after his dominant double race victory last time out.
Current World Champion Simon Längenfelder remains firmly in the championship fight, while South African star Camden McLellan will enjoy huge local support as he looks to continue his impressive season in front of his home fans.
The demanding Johannesburg circuit and reduced engine performance at altitude could prove an even greater challenge for the MX2 machines, making race starts and maintaining momentum more important than ever.
Championship Standings
MXGP – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), 506 points; 2. Jeffrey Herlings (NED, HON), 449 p.; 3. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 394 p.; 4. Tim Gajser (SLO, YAM), 371 p.; 5. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 334 p.; 6. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 313 p.; 7. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 304 p.; 8. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 273 p.; 9. Tom Vialle (FRA, HON), 265 p.; 10. Pauls Jonass (LAT, KAW), 234 p.
MX2 – World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 477 points; 2. Guillem Farres (ESP, TRI), 445 p.; 3. Simon Längenfelder (GER, KTM), 415 p.; 4. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA, TRI), 413 p.; 5. Liam Everts (BEL, HUS), 397 p.; 6. Janis Martins Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 355 p.; 7. Mathis Valin (FRA, KAW), 352 p.; 8. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LAT, YAM), 273 p.; 9. Valerio Lata (ITA, HON), 256 p.; 10. Kay Karssemakers (NED, KAW), 205 p.
UK Race Times
Despite taking place in South Africa, the event runs on the same time zone as Central Europe, meaning UK fans only need to adjust by one hour (British Summer Time).
Saturday
MX2 Qualifying Race – 2:25pm BST
MXGP Qualifying Race – 3:10pm BST
Sunday
MX2 Race One – 11:15am BST
MXGP Race One – 12:15pm BST
MX2 Race Two – 2:10pm BST
MXGP Race Two – 3:10pm BST
With the championship entering its second half and a unique circuit awaiting the riders, the return of MXGP to South Africa promises to be one of the most intriguing rounds of the 2026 season.
