Lucas Coenen perfect in South Africa as Farres closes MX2 gap

2026 MXGP World Championship
Round 11 – MXGP of South Africa
Terra Topia MX Track – Johannesburg

The MXGP World Championship arrived in South Africa with momentum split between two different storylines. Jeffrey Herlings had just made it back-to-back MXGP overall wins in Portugal, while Guillem Farres had delivered a perfect MX2 weekend at Águeda to put real pressure back into that title fight.

At Terra Topia, on South African soil for the first time since 2008, those threads evolved in very different directions. In MXGP, Lucas Coenen turned the weekend back into a red-plate statement, winning Saturday qualifying and both Sunday motos for another perfect 1-1-1 haul. In MX2, Farres kept right on swinging, winning both Sunday races for Triumph and cutting Sacha Coenen’s championship lead to just 14-points.

The revamped Terra Topia circuit near Johannesburg was widely praised by the riders, with its fast hard-pack layout, big jumps and altitude of around 1400 metres adding another technical layer. Passing, however, proved difficult once the front-runners settled into rhythm, making starts and first-lap execution critical across both classes.

MXGP

Lucas Coenen answers Herlings’ Portugal charge

Lucas Coenen had lost the overall to Herlings on countback in Portugal, but South Africa was as clean a response as he could have delivered. The Red Bull KTM rider won Saturday’s qualifying race, converted his gate pick into the lead early in Race One, then repeated the job in Race Two to secure his fifth Grand Prix victory of the season.

Herlings pushed hard in both motos, but the starts made the difference. In Race One, Coenen led early while Herlings had to move forward from the lower end of the top six. Once through to second, the Honda rider closed the gap and set the fastest lap of the moto, but a big moment late in the race ended his final charge and left Coenen to take the win by 4.641 seconds.

Romain Febvre completed the Race One podium for Kawasaki, ahead of team-mate Pauls Jonass, Maxime Renaux, Tim Gajser, Ruben Fernandez, Calvin Vlaanderen, Andrea Adamo and Oriol Oliver.

Race Two again placed Coenen in control early. Tom Vialle took the holeshot, but Coenen was quickly through and into clean air, while Herlings and Febvre had to fight their way into position behind him. Herlings eventually got by Febvre and closed to within 2.167 seconds at the flag, but Coenen had enough in hand to complete the sweep.

Febvre’s 3-3 scorecard gave him third overall and his fifth podium of the season. The Frenchman also strengthened his hold on third in the championship, now 39-points clear of Gajser.

Behind the podium trio, Vlaanderen produced Ducati’s best MXGP result of the season. The South African-born rider went 8-4 for fourth overall at what was effectively his home Grand Prix, beating Gajser on the second-moto countback after both riders finished on 31-points.

Gajser was fifth overall for Yamaha, with Fernandez sixth for Honda and Renaux seventh as he continued to battle the after-effects of illness.

Adamo was eighth for KTM, Jonass ninth after contact with Fernandez in Race Two undid his strong opening moto, while Oliver completed the top ten.

Coenen now leads the MXGP standings on 566-points, 68 clear of Herlings, with Febvre third on 443. KTM has also moved to the top of the MXGP manufacturers’ standings, narrowly ahead of Honda.

Lucas Coenen – 1-1, first overall

“Tracks like these are really nice to ride but the starts are key: if you almost make the holeshot then you are nearly home. I still had to fight to keep the gaps but I won all three motos so I’m happy with that. You can’t do better than 1-1-1, so a perfect weekend.”

Jeffrey Herlings – 2-2, second overall

“You can’t win every time. I gave it a go, but after I had a big moment, I think I used up all my luck so I just decided that second overall was good enough. I think this was one of the best tracks we’ve ridden this year, but it was still very, very difficult to pass on and that makes the start so important.”

Romain Febvre – 3-3, third overall

“I felt fast all weekend. The speed was there and also the starts. I am getting there step-by-step, closer to the front two every week, and the three of us are gone from the pack.”

MX2

Farres keeps coming for Sacha Coenen

If MXGP swung back towards Lucas Coenen, MX2 continued to swing hard towards Guillem Farres.

The Triumph Factory Racing rider arrived in South Africa off the back of a perfect Portugal weekend and then backed it up with another 1-1 Sunday. Two rounds ago, Farres was 41-points behind Sacha Coenen. After South Africa, that gap is down to 14.

Saturday had belonged to Simon Längenfelder, who took his first MX2 qualifying race win in more than a year. Farres finished second in that race, ahead of home favourite Camden McLellan, Janis Reisulis, Karlis Reisulis, Liam Everts and Sacha Coenen.

On Sunday, however, Farres controlled the main races when it mattered. In Race One he started third, then made a decisive move past both Red Bull KTM riders early in the opening lap. Sacha Coenen kept him under pressure all the way to the flag, but Farres held on to win by 1.208 seconds, with Längenfelder third, Janis Reisulis fourth, McLellan fifth and Everts sixth.

Race Two was more emphatic. Farres grabbed the holeshot and was never seriously headed, while Sacha Coenen’s race was compromised almost immediately after being squeezed off the circuit at the opening turn and then crashing on lap one. The championship leader recovered to sixth, but the damage was done.

Längenfelder rode a controlled race to second, while the fight for third became the defining battle for the final podium spot. McLellan, urged on by the home crowd, moved past Janis Reisulis late in the race, but the Latvian responded with an aggressive repass to take third in the moto and third overall. It was his second MX2 podium in as many weekends.

Farres took the overall with a maximum 50-points, ahead of Längenfelder on 42 and Janis Reisulis on 38. Sacha Coenen was fourth overall, one point off the podium, with McLellan fifth and Everts sixth.

Further back, Karlis Reisulis went 7-7 for seventh overall, Maxime Grau was eighth, Jens Walvoort ninth and Valerio Lata completed the top ten for Honda. Ferruccio Zanchi went 13-10 for 13th overall on the Ducati Desmo250 MX.

Sacha Coenen still leads the MX2 standings on 518-points, but Farres is now within striking range on 504. Längenfelder remains third on 467, with McLellan fourth on 455 and Everts fifth on 433.

Guillem Farres – 1-1, first overall

“It was a really good weekend in South Africa. I had a good feeling from free practice, and we carried the momentum from Portugal into this weekend. In the first moto, I was third after the start, made a couple of quick passes on the opening lap, and put myself into the lead. The second moto was a little easier. I pushed really hard on the opening laps to build a good gap, and from there I just managed the lead until the end.”

Simon Längenfelder – 3-2, second overall

“It’s good to bring that intensity and fire back this weekend. I’ve made some changes around me and they seem to be working out. I’m happy about that.”

Janis Reisulis – 4-3, third overall

“When Camden McLellan passed me near the end, I suddenly had that fire in me and just went for it. I managed to make the pass back, and that’s what got me onto the podium. I’m really happy with the result and hopefully I can keep going like this.”

Camden McLellan – 5-4, fifth overall

“It was a pretty good day with some ups and downs, some good riding, and some good moments, but my starts let me down once again. I really need to figure that out because if I can get out of the gate up front, I think we’ll be in a good position.”

Next Up

After three consecutive Grand Prix weekends in Italy, Portugal and South Africa, the MXGP paddock now gets one weekend off before returning to Europe for the MXGP of Great Britain at Foxhills on July 18-19.

The British round will be the first MXGP visit to Foxhills since 2000, and it arrives with the two title fights moving in opposite directions. Lucas Coenen has rebuilt a buffer of more than one full GP in MXGP, while Farres has turned the MX2 chase into a genuine pressure campaign.

 MXGP Qualifying Race Results

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	L. Coenen	KTM	24m59.212
2	R. Febvre	Kaw	+0m04.335
3	P. Jonass	Kaw	+0m19.979
4	T. Vialle	Hon	+0m22.984
5	C. Vlaanderen	Duc	+0m26.155
6	J. Herlings	Hon	+0m26.984
7	A. Adamo	KTM	+0m37.232
8	M. Renaux	Yam	+0m39.772
9	T. Gajser	Yam	+0m45.437
10	R. Fernandez	Hon	+0m57.224
11	R. Elzinga	KTM	+0m58.798
12	A. Forato	Fan	+1m01.185
13	B. Van Doninck	Fan	+1m21.019
14	K. Brumann	Hus	+1m22.462
15	R. Pape	Yam	+1m24.576
16	K. Horgmo	Hon	+1m24.952
17	M. Malan	Yam	+1m36.780
18	J. Pancar	KTM	+1m37.057
19	S. Smith	Yam	+1m40.722
20	C. Durow	KTM	+1m49.131
21	O. Oliver	KTM	+1m56.577
22	J. Proctor	Yam	+2m00.068
23	J. Vogelesang	KTM	+1 Lap
24	M. Correia	Yam	+1 Lap

MXGP Race One Results

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	L. Coenen	KTM	34m20.060
2	J. Herlings	Hon	+0m04.641
3	R. Febvre	Kaw	+0m16.549
4	P. Jonass	Kaw	+0m33.768
5	M. Renaux	Yam	+0m37.832
6	T. Gajser	Yam	+0m40.246
7	R. Fernandez	Hon	+0m44.525
8	C. Vlaanderen	Duc	+0m50.171
9	A. Adamo	KTM	+1m09.455
10	O. Oliver	KTM	+1m10.640
11	K. Horgmo	Hon	+1m12.644
12	J. Pancar	KTM	+1m22.581
13	R. Elzinga	KTM	+1m26.094
14	K. Brumann	Hus	+1m37.426
15	R. Pape	Yam	+1m41.615
16	B. Van Doninck	Fan	+1m50.659
17	S. Smith	Yam	+1m57.428
18	C. Durow	KTM	+

MXGP Race Two Results

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	L. Coenen	KTM	34m27.909
2	J. Herlings	Hon	+0m02.167
3	R. Febvre	Kaw	+0m33.299
4	C. Vlaanderen	Duc	+0m40.773
5	T. Gajser	Yam	+0m42.871
6	T. Vialle	Hon	+0m46.492
7	A. Adamo	KTM	+0m48.034
8	R. Fernandez	Hon	+1m04.189
9	O. Oliver	KTM	+1m09.202
10	M. Renaux	Yam	+1m21.893
11	A. Forato	Fan	+1m23.148
12	J. Pancar	KTM	+1m36.726
13	P. Jonass	Kaw	+1m40.861
14	R. Elzinga	KTM	+1m44.324
15	K. Brumann	Hus	+1m51.263
16	K. Horgmo	Hon	+1m55.333
17	B. Van Doninck	Fan	+1 Lap
18	R. Pape	Yam	+1 Lap
19	C. Durow	KTM	+1 Lap
20	M. Malan	Yam	+1 Lap
21	J. Proctor	Yam	+1 Lap
22	J. Vogelesang	KTM	+2 Laps
23	M. Correia	Yam	+3 Laps
24	S. Smith	Yam	+14 Laps

MXGP Round Points

Pos	Rider	Bike	Points
1	L. Coenen	KTM	50
2	J. Herlings	Hon	44
3	R. Febvre	Kaw	40
4	C. Vlaanderen	Duc	31
5	T. Gajser	Yam	31
6	R. Fernandez	Hon	27
7	M. Renaux	Yam	27
8	A. Adamo	KTM	26
9	P. Jonass	Kaw	26
10	O. Oliver	KTM	23
11	J. Pancar	KTM	18
12	T. Vialle	Hon	15
13	R. Elzinga	KTM	15
14	K. Horgmo	Hon	15
15	K. Brumann	Hus	13
16	A. Forato	Fan	10
17	B. Van Doninck	Fan	9
18	R. Pape	Yam	9
19	C. Durow	KTM	5
20	S. Smith	Yam	4
21	M. Malan	Yam	2
22	J. Proctor	Yam	2
23	J. Vogelesang	KTM	0
24	M. Correia	Yam	0

MXGP Championship Standings

Pos	Rider	Bike	Points
1	L. Coenen	KTM	566
2	J. Herlings	Hon	498
3	R. Febvre	Kaw	443
4	T. Gajser	Yam	404
5	M. Renaux	Yam	364
6	A. Adamo	KTM	343
7	R. Fernandez	Hon	332
8	T. Vialle	Hon	287
9	K. de Wolf	Hus	273
10	P. Jonass	Kaw	268
11	C. Vlaanderen	Duc	235
12	A. Forato	Fan	200
13	K. Horgmo	Hon	178
14	O. Oliver	KTM	173
15	J. Pancar	KTM	157
16	B. Van Doninck	Fan	95
17	J. Geerts	Bet	90
18	B. Watson	Tri	70
19	M. Guadagnini	KTM	69
20	R. Van De Moosdijk	KTM	50
21	A. Bonacorsi	Duc	41
22	T. Benistant	Hon	40
23	R. Elzinga	KTM	38
24	J. Seewer	Duc	34
25	K. Brumann	Hus	32
26	M. Spies	KTM	25
27	J. Talviku	Yam	22
28	T. Koch	KTM	21
29	R. Pape	Yam	16
30	N. Ludwig	KTM	14
31	A. Sterry	KTM	11
32	I. Monticelli	Kaw	10
33	E. Lopes	Hon	7
34	N. Lapucci	Hon	6
35	J. Butron	KTM	5
36	J. Haavisto	KTM	5
37	C. Durow	KTM	5
38	J. Poli	Kaw	5
39	S. Smith	Yam	4
40	M. Kokins	Gas	4
41	B. Paturel	Yam	3
42	C. Soubeyras	Hon	3
43	B. Hsu	Hon	3
44	L. van Berkel	Fan	3
45	C. Nickel	Hon	2
46	A. Tonus	Yam	2
47	M. Malan	Yam	2
48	V. Alonso	Duc	2
49	J. Proctor	Yam	2
50	E. Kahro	KTM	2
51	A. Valentin	Tri	1
52	B. Krajewski	Yam	1
53	F. Olsson	Hon	1

MX2

MX2 Qualifying Race Results

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	S. Längenfelder	KTM	25m26.339
2	G. Farres	Tri	+0m06.577
3	C. McLellan	Tri	+0m14.976
4	J. M. Reisulis	Yam	+0m15.910
5	K. A. Reisulis	Yam	+0m23.784
6	L. Everts	Hus	+0m25.325
7	S. Coenen	KTM	+0m29.992
8	M. Grau	Hon	+0m48.831
9	J. Walvoort	KTM	+0m55.195
10	V. Lata	Hon	+0m57.489
11	T. Cox	KTM	+1m32.429
12	F. Zanchi	Duc	+1 Lap
13	R. Rocher	Gas	+1 Lap
14	T. Durow	KTM	+1 Lap
15	A. Henley	Yam	+1 Lap
16	J. van Wyk	Hon	+1 Lap
17	M. Ashton	Yam	+2 Laps
18	J. Mikula	KTM	+5 Laps
19	T. Johnson	Yam	+6 Laps
20	K. Karssemakers	Kaw	+9 Laps
21	L. J. Grundy	Hus	+11 Laps

MX2 Race One Results

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	G. Farres	Tri	35m02.592
2	S. Coenen	KTM	+0m01.208
3	S. Längenfelder	KTM	+0m02.451
4	J. M. Reisulis	Yam	+0m20.794
5	C. McLellan	Tri	+0m25.238
6	L. Everts	Hus	+0m25.922
7	K. A. Reisulis	Yam	+0m45.086
8	J. Walvoort	KTM	+0m46.263
9	J. Mikula	KTM	+0m56.226
10	M. Grau	Hon	+1m01.333
11	K. Karssemakers	Kaw	+1m06.646
12	V. Lata	Hon	+1m09.263
13	F. Zanchi	Duc	+1m25.713
14	T. Cox	KTM	+1m31.643
15	J. van Wyk	Hon	+1 Lap
16	R. Rocher	Gas	+1 Lap
17	M. Ashton	Yam	+2 Laps
18	A. Henley	Yam	+2 Laps
19	T. Johnson	Yam	+2 Laps
20	T. Durow	KTM	+2 Laps
21	L. J. Grundy	Hus	+15 Laps

MX2 Race Two Results

Pos	Rider	Bike	Time/Gap
1	G. Farres	Tri	35m26.970
2	S. Längenfelder	KTM	+0m04.847
3	J. M. Reisulis	Yam	+0m07.823
4	C. McLellan	Tri	+0m09.533
5	L. Everts	Hus	+0m10.477
6	S. Coenen	KTM	+0m29.365
7	K. A. Reisulis	Yam	+0m39.355
8	M. Grau	Hon	+0m45.505
9	V. Lata	Hon	+0m51.633
10	F. Zanchi	Duc	+0m54.413
11	K. Karssemakers	Kaw	+1m00.081
12	J. Walvoort	KTM	+1m02.958
13	J. Mikula	KTM	+1m07.268
14	T. Cox	KTM	+1 Lap
15	J. van Wyk	Hon	+1 Lap
16	T. Durow	KTM	+1 Lap
17	L. J. Grundy	Hus	+1 Lap
18	R. Rocher	Gas	+1 Lap
19	A. Henley	Yam	+1 Lap
20	M. Ashton	Yam	+2 Laps
21	T. Johnson	Yam	+2 Laps

MX2 Round

Pos	Rider	Bike	Points
1	G. Farres	Tri	50
2	S. Längenfelder	KTM	42
3	J. M. Reisulis	Yam	38
4	S. Coenen	KTM	37
5	C. McLellan	Tri	34
6	L. Everts	Hus	31
7	K. A. Reisulis	Yam	28
8	M. Grau	Hon	24
9	J. Walvoort	KTM	22
10	V. Lata	Hon	21
11	K. Karssemakers	Kaw	20
12	J. Mikula	KTM	20
13	F. Zanchi	Duc	19
14	T. Cox	KTM	14
15	J. van Wyk	Hon	12
16	R. Rocher	Gas	8
17	T. Durow	KTM	6
18	A. Henley	Yam	5
19	M. Ashton	Yam	5
20	L. J. Grundy	Hus	4
21	T. Johnson	Yam	2

MX2 Championship Standings

Pos	Rider	Bike	Points
1	S. Coenen	KTM	503
2	G. Farres	Tri	479
3	S. Längenfelder	KTM	445
4	C. McLellan	Tri	437
5	L. Everts	Hus	417
6	J. M. Reisulis	Yam	380
7	M. Valin	Kaw	352
8	K. A. Reisulis	Yam	293
9	V. Lata	Hon	266
10	K. Karssemakers	Kaw	215
11	J. Mikula	KTM	212
12	M. Grau	Hon	165
13	J. Walvoort	KTM	138
14	N. Zanocz	KTM	136
15	F. Zanchi	Duc	113
16	C. Valk	TM	87
17	A. Rossi	KTM	76
18	S. Smulders	Hus	57
19	P. Gundersen	Hus	46
20	O. Colmer	KTM	40
21	F. Garcia	Kaw	25
22	A. Gaspari	KTM	24
23	B. Mustoe	Gas	22
24	V. Kees	KTM	22
25	N. Korsbeck	Tri	21
26	B. Garib	Hon	18
27	M. Bennati	Tri	17
28	R. Bicalho	KTM	17
29	H. Forsgren	Hon	14
30	R. Schudel	KTM	14
31	J. Cannon	Kaw	12
32	G. Doensen	KTM	12
33	V. Vazquez	Gas	11
34	C. Padilla Duran	Gas	10
35	S. Mancini	Duc	9
36	D. Braceras	Tri	8
37	F. Quirno Costa	Hon	8
38	S. Oechslin	KTM	8
39	J. Voelker	KTM	8
40	T. Cox	KTM	7
41	W. Askew	Tri	7
42	A. Traversini	KTM	7
43	A. Monne	Gas	7
44	J. Garcia	Fan	7
45	L. Van Drunen	Yam	7
46	J. van Wyk	Hon	6
47	M. Rojas	KTM	6
48	R. Rocher	Gas	5
49	A. Bratschi	KTM	5
50	M. Ashton	Yam	4
51	T. Oechslin	KTM	4
52	J. Krug	Tri	4
53	R. Stuardo	Fan	4
54	A. Henley	Yam	3
55	J. Morera	Kaw	3
56	T. Johnson	Yam	2
57	T. Lodi	Kaw	2
58	M. Torrado	Gas	2
59	P. Rathousky	KTM	2
60	T. Durow	KTM	1

---

 

RelatedPosts

Are you hard enough? 2027 KTM 300 EXC HARDENDURO confirmed for Australia

September 4, 2026

From clean sheet to podium: Triumph’s off-road story goes on screen

September 4, 2026