The MXGP of France saw the return of the 2026 FIM Motocross World Championships after a four-weekend break, and everything about the return to the Circuit Georges Filhol at LaCapelle-Marival, for the first time in five years in itself, was red hot – the weather, the atmosphere from the fans, the racing, and even the intense and compact layout of the circuit. The brilliant track crew, praised for the track preparation by the top men in MXGP yesterday, again had a tough task to combat the strong, unrelenting sunshine which threatened to bake the track at any opportunity. The result was a true technical test on a hardpack surface that only the very best could master.
Before we report on any of the racing itself, we hope you all join us in sending our very best wishes to Thibault Benistant, the Team Honda Motoblouz SR Motul rider who was enjoying his first home GP in the premier class, and scored his first Qualifying Race points of the season on Saturday. The tall Frenchman, who had a crowd of enthusiastic fans in attendance with special #9 shirts to show their support, collided and crashed with another rider on the opening lap of MXGP race one, and after being initially treated trackside, was taken to hospital by air ambulance. While waiting for an official updae, the whole Paddock wishes him a full and smooth recovery.
The MXGP class saw a pitched battle for the overall win between the top two in the Championship, and it was the chaser, Jeffrey Herlings, who added to his Qualifying Race win from yesterday with 2-1 finishes today to claim his third victory of the year for Honda HRC Petronas, with equal scoring to first race winner Lucas Coenen, who keeps the red plate by a narrow two points for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing. Third overall, after a tough weekend of never giving up, was French talisman and defending World Champion Romain Febvre, taking 7-3 results to the podium for Kawasaki Racing Team MXGP.
The MX2 class saw some incredible battles throughout the day, but ultimately the Grand Prix win went to Spanish star Guillem Farres, his first career victory being hard-fought and well-earned with a maximum 1-1 on the day, with his Triumph Racing Factory Team stablemate Camden McLellan completing the joy for the team with second overall, ahead of home hero Mathis Valin, who took his second straight podium for Kawasaki Racing Team MX2.
Despite the concern over Thibault, the French crowd had seen a thrilling day of racing and celebrated two of their own making it to the podium. Many will be back to get behind them again at the Monster Energy Motocross of Nations at Ernée in October!
