Coenen double makes history in Latvia
By Team TMX on 8th Jun 26
Sunshine replaced the week’s heavy rain at Kegums as the Motocenter Zelta Zirgs delivered a belter for round eight of the FIM Motocross World Championship.
And it turned into a landmark day for the Coenen family as for the first time in history, twin brothers claimed victory at the same Grand Prix, with Lucas and Sacha Coenen completing a stunning clean sweep in MXGP and MX2. The last time brothers topped the classes on the same day dates back to 2007, when Sebastien and Christophe Pourcel did the double in Faenza - when the Coenens were barely crawling.
Lucas Coenen was simply untouchable in MXGP. The Red Bull KTM rider led every lap across both motos and never looked under genuine threat.
Behind him, Kay de Wolf delivered his best MXGP result to date with second overall for Nestaan Husqvarna, while reigning champion Romain Febvre completed the podium after being the only rider to briefly lead a Coenen all day.
Race one saw Coenen grab the holeshot and control proceedings, despite late pressure from De Wolf, who surged past Febvre in the closing stages to secure second. Jeffrey Herlings eventually broke through to second mid-race but couldn’t mount a serious challenge and slipped back as De Wolf found another gear.
In race two, Febvre edged the holeshot but Coenen wasted no time in striking back, taking control within a lap. Herlings gave chase early on, but disaster struck yet again for the Dutchman as a mechanical issue forced him out handing Coenen a massive advantage in the championship fight.
From there, it was a masterclass. Febvre kept him honest, but Coenen had answers for everything, stretching clear for a commanding overall victory and his 20th career Grand Prix win.
De Wolf’s consistency earned him second overall ahead of Febvre, while Gajser and Jonass rounded out the top five.
The younger Coenen twin made both starts count, grabbing both Fox Holeshot Awards and leading every lap of the MX2 class for a perfect 1-1 scorecard.
Behind him, the action was anything but straightforward.
Race one saw Camden McLellan charge through the pack before a heavy crash dropped him out of second, allowing Mathis Valin through. McLellan regrouped impressively to salvage third, while reigning champion Simon Laengenfelder endured a frustrating outing that would soon get worse.
Race two followed a similar script up front, with Sacha disappearing early as chaos unfolded behind. Home hero Karlis Reisulis had the Latvian crowd on its feet running second for much of the moto, only to be cruelly denied a podium by a last-lap move from McLellan.
Further back, Laengenfelder’s title hopes took a hit after a heavy crash forced him out, leaving the German bruised and scoreless.
At the front, Sacha Coenen eased to victory, backing off in the closing stages to secure his third straight GP win and extend his championship lead to 37 points.
McLellan’s late charge secured second overall, with Valin continuing his consistent run in third.
With both classes controlled from the front, the Coenen brothers delivered one of the most dominant performances in recent MXGP history.
Lucas now holds a commanding lead in the MXGP standings, while Sacha is rapidly pulling clear in MX2. With momentum firmly on their side, the rest of the paddock has work to do during the break before the series resumes in Italy.
