08.03.2026
MXGP 2026, Round 1 of 19, Bariloche, Argentina
MXGP began for 2026 and 19 rounds in 17 different countries with the first of four ‘flyaway’ events taking the series to Argentina. The new Bariloche MX Race Track entertained fans following the MXGP and MX2 classes and where Red Bull KTM Factory Racing were fielding works KTM 450 SX-F and KTM 250 SX-F motorcycles with a four-rider line-up.
Highlights and key moments from race day at the Bariloche MX Race Track:
- Lucas Coenen finishes 5th overall in Argentina -despite a problem with his vision - for a solid start to his second term in the premier class and improves on his 2025 debut at the same Grand Prix by one position
- MX2 World Champion Simon Laengenfelder starts his title defense with a perfect 1-1 on the KTM 250 SX-F. Red Bull KTM have now participated in 19 consecutive MX2 podiums
- Andrea Adamo makes his debut in the MXGP category and takes an encouraging top ten classification with P8 overall
Fast, rough and slick, with a loose topsoil, the Bariloche MX Race Track was a challenging opening venue for MXGP this season. The weather was sunny, breezy and warm and the fans lined the fences of the new build close to the popular tourist city in Patagonia.
Lucas Coenen rode to 5th overall with results of 4th and 6th in the two motos. The Belgian entered the Sunday races with a vision issue in his right eye. Nevertheless, he pushed close to the podium running in the first outing until a brief fall dropped him to P4. He rallied to the top six in the second moto with many of his rivals cutting similar lap-times.
Andrea Adamo bagged a 11-7 on the day. The former MX2 world champion ran as high as 3rd in the first moto before dropping to P11. In the second race he consolidated his speed and learning and followed Coenen to the flag.
Simon Laengenfelder won the MX2 class, even with the limitation of starting 22nd in the gate. The German had crashed and DNF-ed the Saturday Qualification Heat but rode strongly to lead the first moto from the early phases until the flag. He then chased Liam Everts to assume P1 in the latter stages of the second moto. His win represented the tenth of his career and his first since the 2025 Turkish GP.
Sacha Coenen won the MX2 Saturday Qualification Heat (to pocket 10 points) and recovered from a mediocre start to finish runner-up to Laengenfelder in the first moto. The Belgian collided with another rider on the first lap of the second race however and had to retire. He ranked 8th.
The world championship returns to Europe and heads to southern Spain for round two. The Grand Prix of Andalucia will see the Almonte circuit near Huelva makes its MXGP bow on March 21-22.
Lucas Coenen, 4th and 6th for 5th overall in MXGP: “Saturday was quite OK and I was looking forward to the motos but that evening I started to have a lot of problems with my eye and couldn’t see that well on Sunday. We tried some treatment…but it got worst while riding. It was like racing blind! I was just cruising to not make an extra mistake. We’ll get it sorted in time for Spain; otherwise, everything is going in a good way.”
Andrea Adamo, 11th and 7th for 8th overall in MXGP: “Many positives from the weekend. I was very happy with the Quali race and also the speed in the first part of the first moto but unfortunately in the second part I struggled a bit and dropped the pace. I re-grouped for the second moto and it was a better one. We have work to do but the speed is there. Happy with the bike, the team and everything is going well. Onto the next one.”
Simon Laengenfelder, 1st and 1st for 1st overall in MX2: “A great weekend but I wouldn’t say perfect. Yesterday hurt. I was perhaps being too aggressive…but I came back from the outside to take that 1-1. Super-happy. The bike was working great, and a lot of work went into this. I really want to thank the KTM team.”
Sacha Coenen, 2nd and DNF for 8th overall in MX2: “A good weekend in Argentina. A good win in the Qualifying moto but then my start was bad in the first moto and I was around 12-13. I made my way back to 2nd but had some arm-pump and it was difficult to ride. In the second race two riders collided in the air in front of me on the first jump. I couldn’t avoid them. We weren’t able to continue but I am OK physically and we’ll see if we can do better in Spain.”
Download photos from the Grand Prix of Argentina HERE
Results MXGP Argentina 2026
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Honda, 1-1
2. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 3-2
3. Tom Vialle (FRA), Honda, 2-4
5. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 4-6
8. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 11-7
Standings MXGP 2026 after 1 of 19 rounds
1. Jeffrey Herlings (NED), Honda, 50
2. Tom Vialle (FRA), Honda, 50
3. Romain Febvre (FRA), Kawasaki, 48
4. Lucas Coenen (BEL), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 42
7. Andrea Adamo (ITA), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 32
Results MX2 Argentina 2026
1. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 1-1
2. Guillem Farres (ESP), Triumph 3-4
3. Camden McLellan (RSA), Triumph 6-2
4. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna 7-3
8. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 2-DNF
Standings MX2 2026 after 1 of 19 rounds
1. Simon Laengenfelder (GER), Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 50 points
2. Guillem Farres (ESP), Triumph, 47
3. Camden McLellan (RSA), Triumph, 43
4. Liam Everts (BEL), Husqvarna 41
7. Sacha Coenen (BEL) Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, 32
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