Rider Reflections: 2026 MXGP of Trentino
Read what a host of MXGP riders had to say about their weekend at the 2026 MXGP of Trentino.
MXGP
Jeffrey Herlings: "I need to work on my starts, but otherwise my speed was really good all weekend. I came from 15th to first in the first moto and 10th to second in the second moto, so it was good. I found a good flow and had some good lines in both races, and even though it is a small track, I had to be creative. It was really good to pay back all the hard work from all of Honda HRC PETRONAS, they’ve all worked really hard to put me in the position to win, and it was important to get these points for the championship standings, even though we have a lot of racing to go."
Tim Gajser: "I’m almost speechless, and I’m super happy with this result. Coming into the weekend, I knew it was going to be a difficult one because I was still in a lot of pain after the crash last week in Riola, but I gave everything I had. The fans really helped push me on, especially in the second moto, so a huge thank you to everyone who travelled here and supported me. I also want to thank the whole team and everyone around me, from the physios to the staff, because we worked so hard during the week to get me ready to race. It makes this result even more special. Now we have a break, which gives me time to recover properly, and then we’ll be ready to go again in four weeks."
Tom Vialle: "I had a bad crash right after the wave mid-moto and lost a lot of time and lost some positions, and that made things tough. I had to really work hard for this podium in that second moto, and I didn’t know that I had managed it when I crossed the line. Overall, I had a lot of fun overall this weekend, it was a slow track but technical, and that’s something I enjoy. Now we have a bit of a break from the GPs, and I hope to keep this season going well for when we return."
Kay de Wolf: “Overall, I think there are a lot of positives to take from Trentino. In the first race, the crash was frustrating because I felt good and I was right there in the fight, so to come back to seventh was important for the points. Then in the second one, getting the holeshot and leading those first laps in MXGP was a really nice feeling. It shows the speed is there and that we’re making progress every weekend. Of course, when you are that close to the front, you want more than fourth, but to be battling with those guys and stay in it until the end is something we can build on. I feel like I’m learning all the time in this class, and this weekend gave me a lot of confidence.”
Maxime Renaux: "Today was OK. I didn’t get the starts I needed, though. The first one was poor, and in the second race I got boxed in at the first corner, which made things difficult from the beginning. The track was tough, but I felt like my pace was good, just not quite enough for where we want to be. It’s a little disappointing to come so close to the podium again, but there are still positives to take from the weekend. Now we have a short break, so we’ll reset, then go back to work, and aim to come back stronger for the second half of the season."
Romain Febvre: "We had an issue yesterday which cost me everything today. I had some luck in the first moto that I could find a gate on the inside so I could make the holeshot and lead for most of the race, but I made a mistake with five laps to go, and that cost me the win. There was no gate free in the second moto, so I was completely outside at the gate. I took another good start, but I was too far outside to make it across before the first turn. I tried to push too hard on the first lap and made a mistake, and then it was too far to catch the leaders."
Lucas Coenen: “Overall I’m happy that I’m healthy and fit. I didn’t have high expectations for this track because it’s not really [suited to] my style. Two crashes in the first moto, and I had to pass a lot of people. In the second I tried to settle in and keep cool but paid for that little mistake. At least I had good pace, so I have to be happy and look forward.”
Ruben Fernandez: "Tough race day today, and I felt like I was always involved with another rider in some sort of battle. My life would have been a lot easier if I could have got the starts, but instead I was around the top 10, and it just wasn’t easy to find a good rhythm in either moto. Now we have a few weeks off, so I’ll keep working hard and just trying to work my way towards the front guys, which I really don’t think I am too far behind."
Image: HRC
