A long list of success stories coming out of the MXGP of Argentina, as Jeffrey Herlings and Simon Langenfelder won, but so many good battles and solid performances as we head to Spain two weeks time. Here are a bunch of comments from the leading lights.

Jeffrey Herlings: Going one-one in my first outing for Honda HRC PETRONAS is great and a big thank you to everyone in the team who has worked so hard in these couple of months to help make this happen. It wasn’t easy, because in race one I got a bit of arm-pump after grabbing the holeshot but I studied Tom’s lines and then made the pass near the end of the race. Then race two, it was a bit chaotic with the restart but I felt I judged my energy levels well and was able to close the gap and then made the pass again near the end. Going one-one and taking the red-plate is about as good as it as it could have gone today, so I’m hoping to keep this going.

Romain Febvre: "We made some adjustments to the bike since yesterday and we got much better starts; I even got the holeshot in race two before they red-flagged it. At the re-run I was just behind Tom off the start and had a better flow; that's always easier when you're in front and can ride your own lines. I was in a good spot but I didn't see Jeffrey had also passed Tom so I thought I had a huge gap. I rode one good lap to keep the distance when I saw Jeffrey with ten minutes to go, but then I broke the roll-offs on my goggles and I knew it would be difficult when he was on my wheels. My goal coming here was to be on the podium and I did that; now I have someone to chase and it's only two points."

Tom Vialle: It feel really nice to be here, up on the podium. I didn’t really know what to expect coming in, because there is a lot of good riders in the GPs. Obviously yesterday was good and I felt comfortable taking the win in the qualification race. Then today, again I was feeling good and it was nice to lead some of the race before Jeffrey passed me. My intensity was pretty good in the first few laps, but I did make a couple of mistakes later, but overall I am very happy with my first weekend with Honda HRC PETRONAS.

Tim Gajser: “We have to focus on the positives, especially the second race. Things improved with every session this weekend and that’s something we can build on. Of course I want to be fighting at the front, but that will come. I was also battling with the track all weekend. It’s a very unusual circuit with very little grip. Now we have two weeks before the next Grand Prix, so we’ll keep working hard to be ready for Spain.”

Pauls Jonass: "I showed good speed all weekend - my best since I joined Kawasaki last year; we put in a lot of work during the winter - riding and training - and it seems to be paying off, but the restart in race two cost me. I was in fourth when the race was red-flagged, then at the restart I came together with another rider at turn two and had to come from dead last to thirteenth. I was happy with my riding all weekend but of course I am disappointed with the final result. But that's how it goes sometimes so we will just keep working for higher results."

Maxime Renaux: “It’s not the start to the season I was hoping for. I didn’t feel comfortable on this track all weekend and was riding quite tense. The positive is that despite that feeling I still scored some important championship points. In such a long season that’s what matters. You always have to keep the bigger picture in mind. Now the focus immediately shifts to the next Grand Prix in Spain.”

Lucas Coenen: “Saturday was quite OK and I was looking forward to the motos but that evening I started to have a lot of problems with my eye and couldn’t see that well on Sunday. We tried some treatment…but it got worst while riding. It was like racing blind! I was just cruising to not make an extra mistake. We’ll get it sorted in time for Spain; otherwise, everything is going in a good way.”

Simon Laengenfelder: “A great weekend but I wouldn’t say perfect. Yesterday hurt. I was perhaps being too aggressive…but I came back from the outside to take that 1-1. Super-happy. The bike was working great, and a lot of work went into this. I really want to thank the KTM team.”

Janis Reisulis: It was a really good day overall and a positive way to start the season. I was happy with how I managed the first start – there was no pressure and I felt comfortable straight away. The second moto didn’t start quite as well, but the speed was there all day. I still need to work on managing the race a little better and pushing more in the final laps, but that’s something I’ve already improved on compared to last season in the European Championship. Overall, I’m pleased, and I think this has been my best first race ever in a championship.

Karlis Reisulis: Overall, it was quite a positive day, especially in the second moto. In the first race, my feeling was good at the start, but I struggled a bit with arm pump and I still need to work on my race rhythm. The second moto went much better. I grabbed the holeshot and was running up front for a long time. I made a few mistakes later in the race and lost some positions, but I kept pushing and finished fifth, and I was close to fourth in the end. It was a good experience overall and something positive to build on.

Guillem Farrés: “I felt pretty good on the bike this weekend and I’m really happy to be back racing. Saturday was good with a strong start and I was up there, and today even though the starts weren’t perfect it was still a solid day. My goal this season is to stay consistent and fight at the front. We had a really good winter training with the team and that helped me grow a lot, both as a rider and as a person, so I’m excited for the rest of the season.”

Camden McLellan: “I felt confident and relaxed coming into the races and that comes from having a really good winter. I had some time at home with my family and when I came back I just felt a mental click – I’m more motivated and confident than before. Getting a double podium for the team with Guillem [Farres] is really special because the mechanics and everyone behind the scenes put in so much work. We push each other a lot, so sharing the podium with him is pretty cool.”

Sacha Coenen: “A good weekend in Argentina. A good win in the Qualifying moto but then my start was bad in the first moto and I was around 12-13. I made my way back to 2nd but had some arm-pump and it was difficult to ride. In the second race two riders collided in the air in front of me on the first jump. I couldn’t avoid them. We weren’t able to continue but I am OK physically and we’ll see if we can do better in Spain.”

Kay de Wolf: “Of course it’s disappointing to not be in Argentina for the opening round, especially as it was going to be my MXGP debut. I was really looking forward to getting the season started. Unfortunately the thumb injury from the crash in Sommières meant it just wasn’t possible this weekend, but the rehab is going really well and I’m working hard to come back as soon as possible. Everyone in the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team has been amazing with their support, and I can’t wait to get back behind the gate and start racing in MXGP.”

Liam Everts: “It feels really good to start the season and to be back racing in 2026. Sunday morning was actually quite tough because I woke up feeling a little sick, so I wasn’t completely sure how the day would go. The first race was difficult after the start - but I stayed calm and focused on making passes, so coming back to seventh was a positive. In the second moto I had a great start and managed to lead for quite a while, which felt really good. In the end third place and just missing the overall podium is still a solid start to the championship. I’m really happy to be with Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing and the bike feels great, so I’m looking forward to the season!”

Ruben Fernandez: I felt the second moto was a lot better than the first one, and it was a shame we had a red-flag because I was in second before we had to line-up again. Still, I felt my riding was good and it is nice to have a positive feeling. I think I showed my speed and I feel like I have to more to come and now we head to Spain and I’m excited for that because it is a home GP.

Andrea Adamo: “Many positives from the weekend. I was very happy with the Quali race and also the speed in the first part of the first moto but unfortunately in the second part I struggled a bit and dropped the pace. I re-grouped for the second moto and it was a better one. We have work to do but the speed is there. Happy with the bike, the team and everything is going well. Onto the next one.”

Calvin Vlaanderen: “The first GP is done, of course, not the results that I wanted. My goal was to be inside the top seven. I think realistically I can be between fourth and seventh, and I showed that today with my speed, I think I could have easily been in the top five. I just missed the start. And I struggled to pass in the first race, which cost me a bit of time. But anyway, I was happy with my riding. Then in the second race, I had a big crash in the first start. Thankfully, they red-flagged it because of a start malfunction, and I could go again, but I just really struggled with my right leg. I had a lot of pain, so I did what I could to finish the race. But yeah, we take the points and we keep going. I'm happy with my speed at the moment and with my feeling on the bike. I need to work on my starts, and then we can be inside the top five.”

Jeremy Seewer: “There's not much to say about this weekend. Honestly, we struggled both with the starts and in the race. We need to keep working and improving.”

Andrea Bonacorsi: “It was a good weekend that allowed us to test our level. I felt really good on the bike, and I made progress every time I went out on track. In race one, after a good start, I was in front and had a good pace; I was making some good lines, and I'm sure I could have finished in the top five. Unfortunately, I had a bad crash and hurt my ribs. In race two, I hoped I could make it, but after a few minutes, I felt like I couldn't get the strength in my legs and push, and I had to stop. I'm staying positive; I know that when we put all the pieces together, we can fight for a top five finish.”

Simone Mancini: “Competing in my first World Championship race in Argentina was a great experience. It could have ended a little better, but I made progress throughout the weekend from free practice to race two, improving each time. The track was challenging, and it was also very demanding physically because I'm not ready for the 30-minute motos plus two laps of the World Championship, but I gritted my teeth until the end, and I'm happy with my riding. Now we continue preparing for the European Championship, always trying to improve.”

Valerio Lata: Definitely a day to forget. Eighth place in race one wasn’t the a performance I was totally happy with, so I was really motivated for race two and got a good start. However another rider made a mistake around the first turn so I had to back off, and then I tried to recover the situation but I ended up landing on another rider who was also caught up in the chaos. A real shame but the aim is to be back ready for Spain in a couple of weeks’ time.

Bavo Swijgers image