Belgian sensation, Lucas Coenen has gone 1-1 today in Latvia, but the big news was another DNF for Jeffrey Herlings and the championship, although just in the eighth round, seems over for the Dutchman. The Belgian now has a huge points advantage and is showing no signs of losing his momentum. A 62-point lead for Coenen in the MXGP championship chase.
JP/KTM and Bavo Swijgers/Honda Images
It is also the first time in the history of the sport in Europe, that two brothers not only lead both MXGP and MX2 championships, but also both won a GP on the same weekend to extend their championship points lead (Pourcel brothers had won GPs on the same day, but not leading the championship). Similar to the Lawrence brothers in USA, these brilliant brothers keep entertaining the motocross world.
Of course, both Belgian brothers will get on a plane tomorrow and fly to Colorado in America to battle the best 450 and 250 riders in the third round of the AMA Nationals. While it will be a tough task for Coenen to win the 450 class, little brother Sasha must be a chance to battle for an overall win in the 250 class at Thunder Valley.
Lucas Coenen: Amazing. I was thinking about it, because he (Sasha) did it. The team worked their ass off and they did everything. Finally 1-1 and my brother also did it. I was super pumped. Now heading stateside. I mean moto one was crazy what happened, but they worked hard to fix it. The second moto I just wanted to do consistent laps and so amazing to see us win and my brother is dominant here. Looking forward to USA now.
Kay De Wolf: It was good riding in the first moto and the second I got pushed wide and made it hard on myself. Not the moto I hoped for, but in general a good weekend and we are happy and we keep working.
Romain Febvre: First moto I had a good start, but they were pushing on me and I lost the pace. Second moto I felt better, but they passed me straight away and then Jeffrey had an issue with the bike, but I was right behind him. I was thinking about the podium and good things for the championship.
MXGP Moto Two
Febvre with the lead in the second MXGP moto, with Coenen second, third Herlings, then Oliver, Jonass, Gajser, Adamo, Fernandez, de Wolf, and Renaux 10th. Coenen into the lead and Herlings also passed Febvre, with the Frenchman third, then his team-mate, Jonass fourth.
Coenen flying and Herlings all over him for the lead. You can see Herlings is desperate to stay with the Belgian kid. Coenen though on another level as he gets away from the Dutchman. Lap two the lead by Coenen was less than a second, with Febvre in third place some 3.5 back, then Jonass 6.5 back.
Five laps and Herlings still following Coenen and only a second between them, with Febvre 3.8 back, then came Jonass, Gajser, de Wolf, Adamo, Geerts, Pancar and Talviku. The 31-year-old really having to push hard to keep with Coenen and its gotta be taking it out of him.
De Wolf and Jonass in a great battle, with the Dutchman moving into fifth place and both chasing Gajser in fourth. The Slovenian some 11 seconds off the lead of Coenen. Coenen getting away from Herlings a little and no doubt this intense racing is easier if you are 19 years old than 31.
Coenen opens to a two second lead and Febvre closing up on Herlings, with Gajser several seconds back from the Frenchman. Herlings a good lap and closes up on Coenen a little. 13 minutes remaining and will we see a Herlings charge as he brings it down to 1.2 seconds.
Herlings all over Coenen and Febvre a similar distance back and maybe the new era takes on these two older, more experienced riders. Coenen again opens the distance a little, but this race is entering the 10 minutes to go time and this is often when Herlings can make progress.
Gotta give respect to Coenen, who despite the pressure from Herlings and Febvre just stays so cool and calm and no mistakes. De Wolf into fourth with a pass on Gajser and Febvre moved past Herlings and again Herlings with a moto problem. Out of the race is the Dutchman.
Coenen now four seconds ahead of Febvre, with de Wolf third, then Gajser, Jonass, Pancar, Adamo, Horgmo and Talviku. Coenen wins the moto, the GP and breaks the heart of five time world champion, Jeffrey Herlings.