MXGP drama overload at Loket
By Team TMX on 28th Jul 26
The scorching summer of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championship rolled on at Loket, where packed hillsides and a party atmosphere framed a pivotal weekend in both classes. When the dust settled, Jeffrey Herlings had taken control of MXGP – and Guillem Farres had tightened his grip on MX2.
Bathed in sunshine, Loket looked every inch the classic – but the slick, hardpack surface kept the riders honest all weekend. Those who got greedy with the throttle paid the price.
At the front, Herlings was simply relentless. The Dutchman delivered his first perfect GP of the season aboard the Honda HRC Petronas machine, claiming his 119th career victory and matching Loket wins with legends Joel Smets, Stefan Everts and Antonio Cairoli. Not bad company.
Tom Vialle backed him up for a Honda 1-2 with his first podium since Trentino, while Romain Febvre fought through the pack for a fourth straight podium in third.
In MX2, Farres continued his march with a fourth consecutive GP win for Triumph Racing Factory Team. His streak of race wins was halted by Liam Everts in race two, but consistency paid off as Camden McLellan made it a Triumph 1-2 and Karlis Reisulis claimed a landmark first GP podium.
Herlings set the tone early, topping Warm-Up by over two seconds before backing it up in race one. Vialle grabbed the holeshot, but Herlings wasted no time hitting the front and stretching his legs. Behind him, Febvre charged through after a tough start, eventually muscling past Vialle for second, but the damage was already done up front.
Gajser’s race unravelled with a pair of crashes, while Fernandez climbed into the top five and Adamo impressed in fourth. At the flag, Herlings was untouchable – taking the win and the championship lead in one hit.
Race two followed a similar script. After early shuffling at the front, Herlings sliced past Gajser and Vialle with near-identical moves to seize control once again. From there, he managed the race like a master, while chaos unfolded behind.
Febvre was caught in first-lap carnage but launched a trademark recovery ride to salvage third overall. Vialle’s consistency secured second on the day, with Fernandez just missing the podium.
Two wins, three race victories including qualifying, and a statement weekend – Herlings left Loket with a 49-point advantage in the standings and serious momentum heading into the sand.
MX2 delivered just as much drama.
Race one saw Janis Reisulis light up the early laps with a stunning charge to the lead, but Farres had the measure of him by mid-distance. Behind them, McLellan was flying – carving through the field before closing rapidly on his team-mate in the closing stages.
A last-lap lunge ended in contact, sending the South African to the ground, but Farres stayed upright to extend his win streak and maintain control of the championship.
Race two flipped the script. Everts bounced back from a difficult opener to take a superb win in tricky conditions, holding off Farres who couldn’t quite close the gap. Behind them, the Reisulis brothers went bar-to-bar in one of the rides of the day before McLellan split them to deny a family double on the podium.
Grau impressed with a career-best ride, while Doensen continued his steady rise with another top-10 finish.
Overall, it was Farres who came out on top again – four GPs in a row now – with McLellan completing another Triumph 1-2 and Karlis Reisulis celebrating his breakthrough podium.
With a 33-point advantage in the standings, Farres looks increasingly in control, although the looming sand rounds will pose a very different challenge.
Next stop is Lommel. Deep sand, brutal conditions, and no hiding place. You won’t want to miss it.
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