Lucas Coenen: "I can learn from the best."
Lucas Coenen wanted to win the MXGP of Portugal. The KTM rider left no doubt about that after the race. But when Jeffrey Herlings increased the pressure in the second heat and finally overtook him, Coenen opted for the pragmatic approach: secure points, extend his championship lead, and limit the risk.
In the end, he finished second in the day's standings. No win, but a result that could be almost more valuable in the title race than a forced attack on the Dutchman.
"The key is to drive smartly."
Coenen dominated the weekend for much of the race. The Belgian won the first heat, demonstrating the perfect blend of speed and control that has made him so strong this season. He also led the second heat initially, before Herlings closed the gap.
“The key is to ride cleverly,” Coenen explained after the Grand Prix. That’s exactly what he tried to do. In the first race, his feeling on the bike was very good, and in the second, he wanted to control the situation.
Coenen knew what Herlings needed. "I knew that Jeffrey wanted to win – and that he had to win." For Herlings, what mattered most in Portugal was... the day's victoryFor Coenen, however, it was about the bigger picture.
No unnecessary risks
The decisive moment came when Herlings set up the attack. Coenen later explained that he himself had made a small mistake by not attempting the triple. This allowed Herlings to close the gap. "I thought he was going to come inside, so I slowed down a bit. Then he was very close and I had to react, otherwise I would have been down."
Coenen accepted the maneuver. No big drama, no excuses. Instead, he put the situation into perspective. "That's what we love: good racing." After losing the position, he tried to react again, but didn't push himself to the limit. The Belgian knew that second place would be enough that day.
One more point instead of all or nothing
The decisive factor is the World Cup billAlthough Coenen lost the Grand Prix victory, he still took a one-point lead back from Portugal. For a young rider competing against one of the most successful motocross riders of all time, that's a strong statement. "I didn't lose any points, I gained one," Coenen clarified.
This statement describes his current approach quite accurately. He's not just thinking about the individual race, but about the season as a whole. If you want to become world champion, you don't have to force every race. Sometimes it's enough to avoid the damage and let the opponent do the work.
Learn from the best
Coenen's perspective on Herlings was particularly noteworthy. The Belgian knows that the Honda rider improves his statistics with every victory. For him, something else matters. "Jeffrey keeps pushing his numbers higher. I don't care about my statistics. I want to be smart."
Coenen has a realistic view of his situation. He's young, leads the world championship, and is competing against riders who have known how to win titles for years. "I'm young, I have to learn. And I can learn from the best."
It is precisely this attitude that makes his second place in Portugal so valuable. Coenen showed not only speed but also maturity. He could have tried to counter Herlings with all his might. Instead, he secured a result that strengthened his lead in the World Championship standings.
To South Africa with the Red Plate
After Portugal, Coenen travels on with the Red Plate to the next Grand Prix. South Africa will be the third World Championship round within three weeks and will present the next challenge in terms of track, travel and conditions.
When asked what he expected to do there, Coenen replied succinctly and aptly: "Enjoy."
That sounds relaxed, but it also shows how focused the Belgian is right now. He knows the season is long. And he knows that days like the one in Portugal can ultimately decide the championship. A win would have been nicer. Second place might have been more important.