Lucas Coenen dominates and Camden McLellan makes history in Andalucian MXGP sandstorm
By Team TMX on 23rd Mar 26
The 2026 MXGP World Championship roared into Europe in spectacular fashion at the sandy Spanish circuit of Circuito di Almonte and it delivered drama and a landmark breakthrough.
Under overcast skies but in front of a fired-up Spanish crowd, Lucas Coenen produced a flawless masterclass to seize control of the MXGP class, while Camden McLellan etched his name into the history books with a breakthrough MX2 victory for Triumph.
On a brutal sand circuit more reminiscent of Lommel than southern Spain, Coenen was untouchable.
The Belgian sensation swept every session that mattered - qualifying, both motos, and the overall - for a perfect 1-1-1 scoreline. It marked his 17th career GP win and, crucially, his first time leading the MXGP championship.
Once he hit the front, he was untouchable.
Despite relentless pressure from Jeffrey Herlings, Coenen controlled both races with authority, stretching margins of over 20 seconds in race one and backing it up again in race two - even overcoming a mid-moto stall.
Herlings, riding through pain after a heavy crash earlier in the weekend, delivered a gritty double second, but admitted the reality: Coenen had the pace covered.
Behind them, Tim Gajser charged through the pack twice to secure his first podium for Yamaha, signalling growing momentum with his new setup.
There was drama elsewhere too. Romain Febvre crashed heavily while running third in race two, ending a remarkable run of consistency and blowing the championship fight wide open.
With the red plate now his, Coenen leaves Spain with an eight-point lead with a warning shot fired at the entire field.
If MXGP belonged to Coenen, MX2 was all about history.
McLellan delivered a composed and calculated performance to secure his first-ever Grand Prix victory – and with it, the first win for Triumph in the modern MX2 era.
But it didn’t come easy.
Race one was a head-to-head thriller with local hero Guillem Farres, who rode inspired in front of his home fans to take a stunning victory.
The Spanish crowd erupted but their celebrations were short-lived.
A mechanical issue at the start of race two forced Farres out of contention, leaving the door open and McLellan walked straight through it.
Patient early on, the South African picked his moments with precision, slicing past Valerio Lata before hunting down Sacha Coenen. When the move came, it was decisive—and once in front, McLellan disappeared.
A race win sealed the overall, the red plate, and a defining career moment.
Behind him, Simon Laengenfelder limited the damage with consistent finishes to take second overall, while Coenen recovered from a crash in race one to complete the podium.
The Almonte sand proved a true separator - rewarding flow, fitness, and precision while punishing mistakes. It exposed weaknesses, created opportunity, and may have shifted the momentum of both championships.
