WMX

LUGO (Spain) 10 May 2025 – It’s time for round eight of the 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship, as the crews and teams make a relatively short trip from Portugal to the north-western corner of the Iberian Peninsula for the MXGP of Spain, held for the first time at the popular new venue of Lugo, and the Circuito Municipal Jorge Prado which hosted the MXGP of Galicia in 2024.

In the injury-enforced absence of Tim Gajser, who we all wish well in his recovery from shoulder surgery, it is Romain Febvre who has taken possession of the Championship leader’s red plate, and the determined Frenchman is keen to take his first ever GP win on Spanish soil to cement his position at the top.

It would also be useful for Romain to prevent Lucas Coenen from building more momentum, as the young Belgian is on a two-GP winning streak, and could become the first MXGP rookie since Jeffrey Herlings in 2017 to win three in a row!  Effectively Febvre’s biggest title challenger now, he has a 43-point gap to catch up to the Kawasaki man.

The MX2 class is as wild as ever, and with eight different race winners so far this season it’s tough to pick a favourite for the win in Spain, and even the red plate is up for grabs with just ten points separating the top three riders – Dutch reigning Champion Kay de Wolf, German challenger Simon Laengenfelder, and Italian former Champ Andrea Adamo!

The Women’s World Championship joins the party this weekend, with local favourite Daniela Guillen looking to catch up to series leader Lotte van Drunen in front of her passionate local supporters!

This weekend will be the first MXGP event broadcast LIVE on Sky Italia, a massively exciting new partnership for fans in Italy, with Race 1 airing live on Sky Sport 251, and Race 2 on Sky Sport MotoGP, marking a new chapter in Motocross coverage.

The WMX races will be broadcast on TV3 Catalunia to help Motocross fans follow and support Barcelona favourite Daniela Guillen in her quest for the title, and CBS Sports Network will also show these races in the USA.

Below you can find the full list of TV channels that will air LIVE and delayed action of the MXGP of Spain, as well as the 26-minute Behind The Gate magazine show featuring the best moments from the races, exclusive interviews and more.  All of this footage will be available on MXGP-TV.com and via our TV magazine partners following the Grand Prix. 

As always, MXGP fans can follow the races LIVE throughout the weekend. All you need to do is log onto www.MXGP-TV.com on Saturday and Monday, from wherever you are in the world.  Every round this season will also feature live screening of Saturday’s Time Practice sessions, for those who want to see all of the action from the forests of Galicia!  Come and join us for the racing!

USA CANADA

CBS Sports Network

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 10:00 ET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 11:00 ET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – WMX Race 2 – 15:00 ET – Delayed

CENTRAL AMERICA

Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama and Mexico

FOX TUBI

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

BRAZIL

Bandsports

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

EUROPE

Eurosport 2

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

MAX

Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech republic, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden.

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

BELGIUM 

PLAY SPORTS 3

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

ESTONIA

Go3 Sport Open

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

FINLAND

MTV Max

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 18:00 Finnish timing – LIVE

FRANCE

LA CHAINE L’EQUIPE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE Stream

Eurosport 2

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

AUTO MOTO TV

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

GREAT BRITAIN

TNT Sports

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 12:00 GMT – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 13:00 GMT – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 15:00 GMT – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 16:00 GMT  – LIVE

ITALY

RAI SPORT

Monday 12 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 12:00 CET – Delayed

Monday 12 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 13:00 CET  – Delayed

RAI Play

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE Stream

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE Stream

SKY ITALIA

SKY Sport 251

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

SKY Sport MotoGP

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

EUROPE

Eurosport 2

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

LATVIA

Go3 Sport Open

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

LITHUANIA

Go3 Sport Open

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

NETHERLAND

NOS

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

SLOVENIA

Sport TV1

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

SPAIN

TV Galicia

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

TV3 Cataluna

Saturday 10 May 2025 – WMX Race 1 – 14:50 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – WMX Race 2 – tbc

ASIA

Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand
 

EUROSPORT ASIA

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)
 

VIACOM  - Jio Cinema

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

INDONESIA

CHAMPIONS TV

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 13:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 14:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 16:00 CET – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 17:00 CET  – LIVE

PACIFIC / AUSTRALIA
 

STAN SPORTS

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MX2 Race 1 – 22:00 AEDT – LIVE

Sunday 11 May 2025 – MXGP Race 1 – 23:00 AEDT – LIVE

Monday 12 May 2025 – MX2 Race 2 – 01:00 AEDT – LIVE

Monday 12 May 2025 – MXGP Race 2 – 02:00 AEDT  – LIVE

All races on VOD

26min Behind-the-Gate Magazine Partners:

AMERICA

Latin America             Direct TV                                 Thursday after each MXGP 8:30pm

Mexico                        FOX Sports                              Thursday after each MXGP 8:30pm

USA                             RACER                                     tba

EUROPE

Albania                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Austria                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Baltics                          TV3 Sport Open                      Thursday after each MXGP

Belgium                       Play sports                              tba

Bosnia                         GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Croatia                        GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Finland                        MTV MAX                                Wednesday after each event 18:00                                                               Finnish timing

Hungary                      GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Kosovo                        GP1                                        Thursday after each event at 20:15

Montenegro                GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Northern Macedonia  GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Portugal                      SPORT TV                                Tuesday after the event        

Romania                      Look Sport                               Wednesday after each event

Serbia                          GP1                                         Thursday after each event at 20:15

Slovenia                      Sport TV                                  Thursday after each event at 20:15  

Turkey             TRT                                          tba

INDIA and Subcontinent (Bhutan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives)
 

VIACOM 18                                                                        Wednesday after the event

INDONESIA                  Champions TV

AUSTRALIA

Australia                      Stan Sport                               Wednesday after each event

WORLDWIDE

Worldwide                  YouTube – MXGP TV               16 days after the event.

Worldwide                  Fuel TV                                   

 Saturday, May 10 – LIVE Schedule (CEST)

Sunday, May 11 – LIVE Schedule (CEST)

Catch all the racing LIVE on MXGP-TV! 

Saturday’s Time Practice (MXGP/MX2), the Qualifying Races (MXGP/MX2), and Races from all classes will be broadcasted LIVE on MXGP’s streaming service www.MXGP-TV.com, while results throughout the weekend will be available  HERE.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

LUGO (Spain) 7 May 2025 – The 2025 FIM Motocross World Championship stays on the Iberian Peninsula this weekend as the teams and crews make the relatively short journey of under 400km to the north-western corner of Spain, and the Circuito Municipal Jorge Prado near the city of Lugo in the province of Galicia!

Obviously named after the reigning World Champion Jorge Prado, who grew up almost within sight of the circuit, this will be the second GP held at the venue after last season’s MXGP of Galicia. The new circuit was well received by riders and fans alike, with a woodland feel to the track creating a more enclosed, intense atmosphere with a softer, grippier surface than most Spanish venues traditionally offer. It’s one of 19 circuits to host a Motocross Grand Prix in Spain, but the only one in the region of Galicia. Home hero Prado won all three races here last year to keep his local fans happy, while the MX2 class saw race wins for both Lucas Coenen and Andrea Adamo, with the Belgian getting the overall verdict on the second race tie-breaker.

Coenen is coming off the back of two consecutive MXGP overall victories and, with the absence of injured Honda HRC's Tim Gajser in Portugal, the teenage sensation is suddenly a title contender for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, even though he has a sizeable 43-point gap to make up on new series leader Romain Febvre.  The Frenchman will wear the red plate on his Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP machine for the first time since the final round of the 2021 season, when he finished just five points off the world title!

Gajser’s HRC Honda teammate Ruben Fernandez claimed his first podium finish for 19 months in Portugal last weekend, which moved him up to fifth in the standings, and raises the hope that he can carry the home crowd’s expectations for success in his first GP at the Lugo circuit!

In contrast to MXGP, the MX2 class now sees its top three contenders all within ten points of each other, as reigning World Champion Kay de Wolf has just a four-point advantage for Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing over the first of two Red Bull KTM Factory Racing riders, Simon Laengenfelder in second, just six points ahead of Adamo, who enjoyed the first perfect three-victory weekend of his career at Águeda!

Spanish hopefuls David Braceras of JM Honda Racing, Oriol Oliver of Gabriel SS24 KTM Factory Juniors, and Guillem Farres of Monster Energy Triumph Racing, currently sit all together in the series from 14th to 16th position, with just 11 points separating the three of them! The battle to be top Spaniard could be as hot as the battle at the front!

Lugo also hosts the second round of the FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship, and all Spanish hopes will be on local heroine and last year’s Vice-Champion Daniela Guillen, who crashed from the lead of race one in Sardegna and lies seventh in the Championship, but with clearly enough speed to challenge reigning Champion and series leader Lotte van Drunen. The De Baets Yamaha rider has an eight-point lead over fellow Dutch pilots Shana van der Vlist and Van Venrooy KTM star Lynn Valk but watch for the #255 of Guillen on her RFME Spain National Team GASGAS to haul back the 23-point gap to the top!

The EMX250 European Championship is approaching its halfway stage with round six on the horizon at Lugo, and VHR VRT Yamaha Official EMX250 rider Janis Reisulis put in a stunning maximum in the Portuguese mud to build up his series lead to 12 points.  JM Racing Honda’s Hungarian star Noel Zanocz is second to the Latvian, but the biggest cheers will be readied for Venum BUD RACING Kawasaki rider Francesco Garcia, who is only two points behind Zanocz and scored a second place in his last race on Spanish soil, back at Cózar in March!

It was all change at the top of the MXGP World Championship after Portugal, as Romain Febvre took ownership of the red plate with second overall, aided of course by the absence of Tim Gajser through a shoulder injury. It is still yet to be confirmed whether or not the Slovenian will be able to line up at Lugo. There is a full GP race’s worth of points between Febvre and Gajser at the top, although for sure the Frenchman will have eyes on the gap back to third place Lucas Coenen, who is only 18 points away from Gajser and 43 behind the Kawasaki man.

Febvre, who has yet to win a GP in Spain during his long career, took 2-4 finishes to climb the podium in third overall here last year, matching the points of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing star Jeffrey Herlings, who was second on the tie-break, while Gajser was fourth overall with 6-3 finishes after a small crash early in race one.  Calvin Vlaanderen took a top three finish in the opener last year for Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP, and is starting to show some good form this season after working his way back to fitness from last year’s knee injury.

Coenen won two of three MX2 GPs held in Spain last season, including the victory in Galicia, although his two-GP winning streak has come at circuits where he really struggled in 2024, so who knows how he will go at a track where he has won before!  He could become the first MXGP rookie since Herlings in 2017 to win three GPs in a row, and who would bet against him?

Still fourth in the Championship is Fantic Factory Racing’s Glenn Coldenhoff, who took seventh overall at Lugo last year and might be hoping for more rain to play to his strengths. Local favourite Fernandez is within striking distance of the Dutchman in the standings after moving up to fifth with his podium in Portugal, and for sure he will find strength from the local fans who will make their presence felt as they get behind him for another good result!

Like Fernandez, Maxime Renaux was out injured for last year’s MXGP of Galicia, and the Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP man is once more fighting for fitness after his big crash in Switzerland.  With decent speed in Portugal, he won’t have given up on a title charge and will surely feel at home on the Lugo circuit.

The MXGP machines are tough to handle around the twisty corners and big jumps of the Spanish track, so the action is bound to be spectacular in the premiere class!

MXGP - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Romain Febvre (FRA, KAW), 330 Points; 2. Tim Gajser (SLO, HON), 305 Points; 3. Lucas Coenen (BEL, KTM), 287 Points; 4. Glenn Coldenhoff (NED, FAN), 250 Pts; 5. Ruben Fernandez (ESP, HON), 223 Pts; 6. Maxime Renaux (FRA, YAM), 217 Points; 7. Andrea Bonacorsi (ITA, FAN), 194 Points; 8. Kevin Horgmo (NOR, HON), 177 Pts; 9. Calvin Vlaanderen (NED, YAM), 162 Pts; 10. Jeremy Seewer (SUI, DUC), 156 Pts.

Main Photo: MXGP Start Lugo 2024

Bottom Photos: 1. Ruben Fernandez; 2. Romain Febvre

The MX2 class continues to be gloriously unpredictable in 2025, as Andrea Adamo took his first ever wins in wet conditions, and he took all three over the course of last weekend’s MXGP of Portugal to put himself within ten points of series leader Kay de Wolf!

The battles in Lugo last year saw Adamo claim second overall and the first race win, the second and ultimately the final one he enjoyed as defending Champion, but he has shown much better form in 2025, already more than doubling his career total with three GP victories, while adding three race wins, and two Qualifying Race triumphs to boot!

De Wolf just missed the podium with fourth overall in Lugo last year, on a tie-break with his 2025 Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing teammate Liam Everts! Simon Laengenfelder had a worse time of it in 2024 with 7-9 scores for just ninth overall, and for sure he will be looking to improve on that to shoot for the red plate from just four points back of the defending Champ!

Everts had a nightmare weekend in Portugal with just 18 points, and is now an amazing 59 behind his teammate, although still fourth in the standings. A repeat of his 2024 podium must be the bare minimum of his ambitions coming to Lugo this year. 

Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MX2 rider Thibault Benistant has had an inconsistent pair of GPs since winning the second race in Trentino, and his fifth in the series is under threat from Sacha Coenen, who put in a solid second in race two at Águeda for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, and is now only three points behind the Frenchman. Sacha moved past the Monster Energy Triumph Racing rider Camden McLellan, one of eight race winners in the series this year, but now back to seventh in the Championship.

Picking a winner in MX2 before the start of the weekend is a complete lottery! Have a sweepstake at home, no matter how big your family is, any of the top ten could win at Lugo in what is sure to be another wild affair!

MX2 - World Championship Top 10 Classification: 1. Kay de Wolf (NED, HUS), 328 Points; 2. Simon Laengenfelder (GER, KTM), 324 Points; 3. Andrea Adamo (ITA, KTM), 318 Pts; 4. Liam Everts (BEL, HUS), 269 Pts; 5. Thibault Benistant (FRA, YAM), 225 Pts; 6. Sacha Coenen (BEL, KTM), 222 Pts; 7. Camden McLellan (RSA, TRI), 210 Pts; 8. Cas Valk (NED, KTM), 189 Pts; 9. Ferruccio Zanchi (ITA, HON), 168 Pts; 10. Valerio Lata (ITA, HON), 160 Pts.

Top Photo: MX2 Start Lugo 2024

Bottom Photos: 1. Guillem Farres ; 2. David Braceras

All the photos from the MXGP of Spain will be available HERE.

You can find the complete results HERE.

TIMETABLE

SATURDAY:
09:30 WMX Free Practice, 10:00 EMX250 Free Practice, 10:30 MX2 Free Practice, 11:00 MXGP Free Practice, 12:20 WMX Qualifying Practice, 13:00 EMX250 Qualifying Practice, 13:40 MX2 Time Practice, 14:15 MXGP Time Practice, 15:00 WMX Race 1, 15:45 EMX250 Race 1, 16:35 MX2 Qualifying Race, 17:25 MXGP Qualifying Race.

SUNDAY:
09:40 EMX250 Race 2, 10:25 MX2 Warm-up, 10:45 MXGP Warm-up, 11:30 WMX Race 2, 13:15 MX2 Race 1, 14:15 MXGP Race 1, 16:10 MX2 Race 2, 17:10 MXGP Race 2.

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM

FIM Europe

In a performance that highlighted her immense talent and mental strength, defending FIM Women's Motocross World Champion Lotte van Drunen swept the opening round of the 2025 WMX World Championship with a perfect 1-1 showing at the deep sand of Riola Sardo last weekend. The 17-year-old Dutch wonder’s performance came despite battling some health challenges leading into the event.

"I lost three kilos during the week," van Drunen revealed in a post-race interview, her eyes still reflecting the mix of exhaustion and elation that defined her weekend. "There were moments I wasn't sure I could even race."

Those doubts never materialized on the track, where the De Baets Yamaha Supported MX rider attacked the notorious Sardinian sand with trademark aggression, gapping the field in both motos to manage a comfortable lead at the checkered flag.

The victory in Sardinia, while impressive, has quickly become background noise as van Drunen has confirmed she'll line up against the men in this weekend's MX2 Monster Energy Grand Prix of Trentino in Pietramurata, Italy.

"I need to do some hard pack training," she admitted. "And racing a rough GP track with some uphills and downhills is the best training possible, so that’s why I’ve decided to race MX2 in Trentino. I enjoy racing the boys and in MX2 and I also love Arco, I’ve had some good memories there."

This won't be van Drunen's first MX2 appearance—she raced and scored points at the MXGP of Belgium in Lommel last season—but Trentino represents her first Grand Prix on a hard-pack surface against the men.

When pressed about expectations, van Drunen shrugged off pressure. "I don't expect anything. The qualifying race is the same length as WMX, so I hope to put in 20 minutes plus two laps of good riding. Sunday is really about physical training and improving my technique and skills when the track gets really rough, rutty and bumpy."

As for whether Trentino signals the start of a broader MX2 campaign? "I think I will race Lommel again for sure," she confirmed. "I need to see, like I said I really enjoy it and it’s good for me. We will see – probably!"

RIOLA SARDO (Sardegna, Italy) 6 April 2025 – The 2025 FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship roared to life in Sardegna with two gripping races at the iconic sandy circuit of Riola Sardo. A true test of physical and technical skill, the weekend delivered everything from dramatic crashes to stunning comebacks — and at the centre of it all was De Baets Yamaha MX-Team’s Lotte van Drunen.

Returning from an off-season injury, no pre-races and fighting illness just days before the race, the reigning World Champion showed exactly why she’s known as the Queen of Sand, sweeping both races with clinical composure and tremendous pace. With emotional highs, painful setbacks, and fierce battles from the likes of RFME Spain National Team’s Daniela Guillen, Van Venrooy KTM Racing’s Lynn, and Shana van der Vlist on Yamaha bike, round one laid down an early marker: this WMX season is going to be intense.

The Race 1 began with Shana van der Vlist grabbing the holeshot, while Van Drunen and Guillen slotted in closely behind, already showing strong pace through the opening lap. The deep sand of Riola Sardo — a favourite among winter training tracks for many WMX riders — proved to be the perfect stage for a high-speed showdown between the series’ top contenders.

As the front group of Van der Vlist, Van Drunen, Guillen, and Lynn Valk began to break away, Home hero MXFontaRacing’s Kiara Fontanesi also started making her presence known, working her way into the top five with a charge that saw her pass Amandine Verstappen.

By lap four, Guillen made an assertive move past Van Drunen to move into second, clearly signalling her intent to dominate the weekend. One lap later, she dived down the inside of Van der Vlist to snatch the lead and began building a gap, setting the fastest pace of the race and looking untouchable at the front.

Behind her, Van Drunen refused to give up. After reclaiming second on lap eight with a clean pass on Van der Vlist, the Dutch star set her sights on Guillen, whose lead hovered around 2.5 seconds. Meanwhile, Valk continued her strong ride, moving past Van der Vlist into third and applying pressure as the race entered its final stages.

But with just over a minute and two laps to go, disaster struck. Guillen, pushing hard, caught a rut before a jump and crashed that left her unable to restart the bike immediately. What had looked like a sure win suddenly turned into a costly error, as Van Drunen surged past into the lead.

Guillen eventually rejoined the race but dropped down to 10th but got disqualified for for accepting outside assistance which isa heartbreaking starting race for the Spanish star who had controlled much of the race and looked set to take a decisive win.

Out front, Van Drunen maintained her composure, holding off a late charge from Valk, who was just 2.5 seconds behind on the final lap. A backmarker ultimately blocked any chance of a last-second challenge, handing Van Drunen the win with a margin of 3.6 seconds at the line. Seeing the Defending World Champion very emotional to get the win after her injury at the end of last year.  Further back, SYE Racing Team 423’s Larissa Papenmeier who, incredibly is riding her 20th WMX season finished in the top 10 in 8th.

Race 2 bursts into life with a lightning start from Lynn Valk, who took the holeshot and looked poised to control the pack. Lotte Van Drunen tucked into second, but was quickly passed by Shana van der Vlist, who began to build early momentum. Meanwhile, Daniela Guillen, determined to rebound from her Race 1 heartbreak, made quick moves through the pack after an average start and was already into sixth on the opening lap.

Kiara Fontanesi also enjoyed a strong launch, riding inside the top five alongside Sara Andersen, who slotted into fourth. At the end of lap one, the running order was Valk, Van der Vlist, Van Drunen, Andersen, Fontanesi, and Guillen — a stacked front group full of the season’s favourites with everything to play for.

But the race turned on lap two. Valk crashed out of the lead, handing first position to Van der Vlist, while Guillen surged past Fontanesi making a superb pass around the outside of Fontanesi to take fourth, showing incredible traction and speed; and soon found herself pressuring Andersen for third.

By mid-race, Guillen had set her fastest lap and was under a second from Andersen, but a small mistake dropped her back to four seconds behind the Danish rider. Moments later, Valk — on a mission after her early fall — regrouped and stormed past Guillen on lap seven, reclaiming third in a brilliant display of resilience.

At the front, Van Drunen had been shadowing Van der Vlist lap after lap. With just under two minutes plus two laps to go, she launched a perfectly timed attack over the finish jump, taking the lead in style. Once in front, Van Drunen pulled clear instantly, showing once again why she holds the #1 plate.

With two laps to go, Valk repeated Van Drunen’s move — this time on Andersen — to grab third. Andersen, solid all race long, narrowly missed out on the podium, while Fontanesi’s hopes faded after a late crash.

Van Drunen claimed her second victory of the weekend to open the 2025 FIM Women’s Motocross World Championship with a perfect score. The defending World Champion showed patience and precision for a well-earned first round after not being sure she could even line-up after being sick during the week. The Queen of Sand has started the season with a bang!

Lotte Van Drunen: “This was perfect for the Championship! It’s been a very tough winter I can tell you that and not just the last one but over the past 3 years too but to win again is unbelievable and I’m really looking forward to the next round. We’re gonna train on hard pack now because we haven’t done it in the winter. Thanks to everyone around me and on to the next one!”

Main Photo: Lotte Van Drunen

Top Photo: WMX Start Sardegna

Bottom Photos: 1.Shana Van Der Vlist; 2. Lynn Valk

WMX -  Race 1 - Top 10 Classification: 1. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, Yamaha), 24:11.902; 2. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), +0:03.650; 3. Shana van der Vlist (NED, Yamaha), +0:11.655; 4. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), +0:37.012; 5. Sara Andersen (DEN, Yamaha), +0:50.245; 6. Martine Hughes (NOR, Kawasaki), +1:01.948; 7. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Yamaha), +1:15.161; 8. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Honda), +1:29.042; 9. Danee Gelissen (NED, Yamaha), +1:29.945; 10. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GASGAS), +1:47.765

WMX – Race 2 - Top 10 Classification: 1. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, Yamaha), 24:21.344; 2. Shana van der Vlist (NED, Yamaha), +0:10.339; 3. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), +0:21.186; 4. Sara Andersen (DEN, Yamaha), +0:27.477; 5. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GASGAS), +0:53.414; 6. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GASGAS), +1:19.309; 7. Martine Hughes (NOR, Kawasaki), +1:27.965; 8. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, Yamaha), +1:28.630; 9. Danee Gelissen (NED, Yamaha), +1:29.197; 10. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, Honda), +1:46.161;

WMX Overall - Top 10 Classification: 1. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, YAM), 50 points; 2. Shana van der Vlist (NED, YAM), 42 p.; 3. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), 42 p.; 4. Sara Andersen (DEN, YAM), 34 p.; 5. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 33 p.; 6. Martine Hughes (NOR, KAW), 29 p.; 7. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GAS), 27 p.; 8. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, YAM), 27 p.; 9. Danee Gelissen (NED, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, HON), 24 p

WMX World Championship - Top 10 Classification: 1. Lotte Van Drunen (NED, YAM), 50 points; 2. Shana van der Vlist (NED, YAM), 42 p.; 3. Lynn Valk (NED, KTM), 42 p.; 4. Sara Andersen (DEN, YAM), 34 p.; 5. Kiara Fontanesi (ITA, GAS), 33 p.; 6. Martine Hughes (NOR, KAW), 29 p.; 7. Daniela Guillen (ESP, GAS), 27 p.; 8. Amandine Verstappen (BEL, YAM), 27 p.; 9. Danee Gelissen (NED, YAM), 24 p.; 10. Larissa Papenmeier (GER, HON), 24 p

WMX Manufacturers - Top 10 Classification: 1. Yamaha, 50 points; 2. KTM, 42 p.; 3. GASGAS, 34 p.; 4. Kawasaki, 29 p.; 5. Honda, 24 p.; 6. Triumph, 16 p.;

Photo: WMX Podium Sardegna 

MXGP OF SARDEGNA QUICK FACTS:

Circuit length: 1750m

Type of ground: Sand

Temperature: 20˚/17˚

Weather conditions:  Sunny / Cloudy

LINKS

Infront Moto Racing

FIM