06.09.2026
MXGP 2026, Round 17 of 19, Afyon, Turkey
The FIM Motocross World Championship rounded the flat, jumpy hard-pack of the Afyon Motor Sports Center for the Grand Prix of Turkey and Red Bull KTM emerged from round 17 of 19 with a decent 2nd place by Simon Laengenfelder in MX2.
Highlights and key moments from Afyon:
- Andrea Adamo grabs a top six overall finish in MXGP with 5-6 results in Turkey
- Simon Laengenfelder wins the first MX2 moto and then takes 3rd place for 2nd overall, achieving his first podium appearance since the Flanders Grand Prix
- Sacha Coenen struggles with sickness and a crash in the first moto that causes a DNF and subsequent retirement from the second race
- Lucas Coenen remains out of action with his left hip injury issue and will not compete at round 18
- MXGP travels to China this week and Australia for the last double header fixture of the season
MXGP sped into a fast three-race conclusion to the 2026 Grand Prix campaign and the Turkish Grand Prix, at the staple venue of Afyon, brought the first of three flyaways for the paddock. Red Bull KTM are still in contention for the top five of the MXGP standings thanks to Andrea Adamo’s solid season as a rookie in the premier class with the KTM 450 SX-F, as well as for final podium status in MX2 with Sacha Coenen and Simon Laengenfelder both steering the KTM 250 SX-F.
In hot weather on Saturday all three active Grand Prix riders posted top five finishes in the Qualification Heats: Adamo grabbed P5 in MXGP while Coenen ran close to the leader and finished P2 in MX2, with Laengenfelder in P4.
On Sunday, and in similar conditions, Adamo started 5th and registered the same result in a static first moto. In the second outing the Italian lapped in P6 in the opening stages as the breeze across the open site started to increase. #80 managed 6th in the end for 6th overall. Andrea is currently 5th in the championship and needs 7 points more than the absent Lucas Coenen to eye 4th.
In MX2 Laengenfelder signaled his intent in the first moto with a decent start and a relentless pursuit of series leader Guillem Farres. The German made his move on lap 6 of 17 and hit the front. Simon went on to build a six-second advantage and toasted his fifth checkered flag of the season. The second race saw Simon circulate in the top three for much of the distance. He could not catch Liam Everts for 2nd but his 1-3 was enough for his eighth trophy of the season (equaling Sacha Coenen) and ensured a rostrum celebration in Turkey for a second year in a row. Laengenfelder is 4th in MX2 and requires 20 points to demote his teammate and breach the medals positions. He is 80 points from P1 with only 120 left to win in 2026.
Sacha Coenen entered Sunday feeling the effects of stomach sickness. He nudged the start gate in the first moto but soon cut his way through the pack with impressive efficiency. The Belgian reached the top six before losing control over the long triple jump and crashed on landing. The youngster was fortunate to escape significant injury and attempted the second moto while battered and bruised. Sacha aced the holeshot (his 15th of the campaign) and ran P1 until the end of the second lap before retiring. Coenen is 3rd in the standings and 60 from the red plate.
The European EMX125 and EMX250 championships were finalized in Turkey. KTM 125 SX racers Ricardo Bauer and Moriz Ernecker wrapped up 1st and 2nd in the EMX15 series. Bauer went 1-1 in Afyon while fellow Austrian teenager Ernecker was 2nd in the second moto. Gyan Doensen was 4th in the EMX250 championship with the Gabriel SS24 KTM 250 SX-F.
The Grand Prix of China, the penultimate round, takes place at the Shanghai International off-road circuit, located within the country’s largest city in September 12-13.
Andrea Adamo, 5th and 6th for 6th overall in MXGP: “I’m not super-pumped about my weekend. Somehow this track has not really suited me, and I missed some speed to run with the guys up front. I should have been closer. 5th was OK in the first moto but I was struggling a bit with the circuit and need to feel out some things with the bike. I’ll go home now for two days before going to China and Australia. It will be tricky for the jetlag - and the heat last year was tough - but it will be a challenge.”
Simon Laengenfelder, 1st and 3rd for 2nd overall in MX2: “The last few GPs have been quite tough for me so getting that win felt good. I gave it my all in first race and it was my first win since Sardinia: it’s been a long time! I was 3
rd in that second moto but stalled the bike and then everyone had their position. The track was also a bit sketchy. 2nd overall day is fine and now I’m looking forward to the flyaways in China and Australia. It’s always a bit different [at those races] and nice to change things up.”
Sacha Coenen, DNF and DNF for 15th overall in MX2: “A difficult day. I was not feeling good this morning and it was hard to focus and even hard to really look ahead on track. I’m lucky to not get injured after that crash. One to forget and we will try again.”
Download photos from the Grand Prix of Turkey HERE
Results MXGP Turkey 2026
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Honda, 1-1
2. Tom Vialle (FRA), Honda, 4-2
3. Romain Febvre (FRA) Husqvarna, 3-3
6. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 5-6
Standings MXGP 2026 after 17 of 19 rounds
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Honda, 855 points
2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 699
3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, 659
4. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 566
5. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 559
9. Kay de Wolf (NED) Husqvarna, 428
Results MX2 Turkey 2026
1. Guillem Farres (ESP), Triumph, 2-1
2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 1-3
3. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna 4-2
15. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, DNF-DNF
Standings MX2 2026 after 17 of 19 rounds
1. Guillem Farres (ESP), Triumph, 806 points
2. Camden Mc Lellan (RSA), Triumph, 756
3. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 746
4. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 726
5. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna, 696
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