Rider Reflections: 2026 MXoN
Read what a host of riders had to say about their weekend at the 2026 MXoN.
Jeffrey Herlings: "I definitely didn’t make things easy for myself in that last moto. I think I was like 15 seconds down after the crash, but I knew I had the speed and the time to do it, so I went to work. In the end I was able to make the move just past the halfway mark of the match and pulled out a good gap to win. The first race was a lot easier, and overall it was a good weekend, and we continued the winning streak in Sunday motos all the way from the MXGP of Great Britain through today. The podium was always the goal for the Netherlands, and we made that happen too, so happy with everything and a good way to round off this GP season."
Liam Everts: “It’s unreal. I had no idea where we were on points, so I was just trying to keep pushing because I knew it was going to be really close. We had a mega day, and I couldn’t have done it without Lucas and Sacha. To win this with Belgium after 13 years is something else, and with the history my dad and grandad have with this event, it makes it even more special. It’s been a long road, but we pulled it off together. I’m honestly lost for words - this feels amazing.”
Jorge Prado: “With the whole team we put Spain on the box. We have never achieved a podium, and to take 2nd place is amazing. There are a lot of people behind this and a lot who have been waiting, waiting and waiting for us to be up here. We had some amazing performances today, and I’m really happy I can live this with them.”
Lucas Coenen: “I cannot thank these guys enough. It’s unbelievable. Last week I could barely do [ride] 10 minutes, but we kept working, and on Tuesday I managed to do one moto. I don’t know how I did it today, especially with [Cooper] Webb on my wheel, and I was nervous for the second start. A big thanks to Joel [Roelants, Team Manager] and everyone behind the scenes. This is amazing. Belgium is back on top, and I love it.”
Sacha Coenen: “It feels unreal to be up here with my brother, and the whole team rode amazing today. I didn’t have the best first moto, but the second was really good. I was quite happy enough. I really want to thank the whole team. It’s an incredible day.”
Andrea Adamo: “A good day until it wasn’t. I had a really good first moto with P2, and it was a good race. Second moto: at the Nations you always have to decide which rider goes to the gate first, and I let my teammate, Albie, go, so that meant pick 22-23 for me. I got an OK start and was P9 or 10 and going for more. I had a good feeling and good speed, but unfortunately I made a mistake and crashed at the top of the hill. I had a big hole in the radiator. The team wanted me to stop, but I decided to ride a bit more and got back up to P8, but then the team decided I should pull out because it was getting a bit sketchy. It is what it is. In general, I’m happy about the weekend and how I finished the season. We now have some work ahead. We have a new bike, and we need to discover some new things and get some order. We’ll go home and get busy and come back for more next year.”
Romain Febvre: "It's incredible to win again at the Nations. I savoured that winning moment in the first moto so much, particularly to do it here again in Ernée in front of this fantastic crowd. I think I was riding at my very best level today; I was also strong in the final race to come back to third after my crash. I did my job for the team, and I delivered well in my last race for Kawasaki too. I didn't know until after the finish of the first race that Mathis was out; it's a shame for Mathis, but that's the Nations. The atmosphere with the public was fantastic all weekend; it was a moment we will never forget."
Pauls Jonass: "I was really happy with my first moto, and I was catching Webb in the last moto until I had a small crash. And P4 for Latvia makes me so happy! Both brothers did a good job too; we worked well together and had a good team atmosphere. We are a small country, and ten years ago we had a feeling of success when we just made it to the A final, but today we beat some of the mecca countries of the sport; we were consistent, and it paid off. The track was rough and really tricky today. Some parts were really deep with good traction, and other parts were slick; you had to know where the limits were and when you could push."
Tom Vialle: "Definitely not how I wanted today to go. The whole team felt really good after yesterday, and it was awesome to race in front of so many French fans, and the atmosphere was just amazing. However, sometimes things just don’t go your way, and today, it seemed like all of the bad luck happened. I got the holeshot in my race and was leading early on, before coming over the jump, I had to bail off the bike. Thankfully I was pretty much okay, but while I tried to race in the last race, I wasn’t feeling right and had to withdraw. Not how I wanted it to go, but this is motocross. Thank you to all the fans for their support!"
Image: KTM
