While we all await this weekends MXGP of Sweden, my eyes move a week further and the MXGP of Arnhem, or The Netherlands if you like. I really think this is going to be one of the best Grand Prix’s in recent time and below is why I think that.

Typically, the Arnhem circuit presents what all deep sand tracks present and that is great racing. The idea that Lucas Coenen might even go there with the red plate attached to his Red Bull KTM machine, and the rider who has ridden for Red Bull KTM his whole adult life, Jeffrey Herlings will in my opinion be a lot closer to his best form.

Herlings should be race fit, after racing in four races since his return in Lommel, a couple of weeks ago. Herlings races in a Belgian International, the Monster Mountain event in UK and now this weekend in Sweden. He will be growing in confidence and speed, and he will want to make sure, his last race for KTM in his home country, is a successful one. The orange army will be out in force, both from Austria and of course, The Netherlands.

Herlings is considered, probably the best sand rider to ever live, his near unbeatable form at the Valkenswaard circuit and his scintillating races at places like Lierop, Lommel and Latvia, grew his legend. One thing he doesn’t want, is some brash 18-year-old stealing his thunder or his places as the King of the sand. Herlings is the defending champion of Arnhem, having won a sensational GP there in 2024, with 1-1 scores, with Prado, Gajser, Coldenhoff and Febvre all in a close battle.

Lucas Coenen has dreamt of racing Herlings in the sand since he was a kid. He told MXlarge a few months ago how he has put that situation in his head many times, either leading Herlings in the sand, or mowing him down, hanging onto his back wheel and making a pass. There is no question, with three GP wins in a row, the teenager has huge momentum, and he could even go into Arnhem as the favourite to win, if he also takes Sweden this weekend.

Romain Febvre, always the bridesmaid, never the bride would be a perfect way to describe the 2015 World MXGP champion. It isn’t difficult to remember his battle with Coenen in the sand of Lommel. The determination to win the opening moto, where he raced a little dirty to try and unsettle his main rival and stop his momentum. Febvre is and has been a great sand rider now for a decade and it still surprises me that some media have forgotten that. He will also want to win Arnhem, and if Coenen has wrestled the red plate from him, he will need to respond, or it could be all over. Let’s also not forget, Febvre won Arnhem in 2023, beating red hot, Jorge Prado, Coldenhoff and Gajser in the process. His fifth-place last year was not as impressive, with 5-5 scores.

Glenn Coldenhoff, like Coenen is in the best form of his life, and his victory in the Belgian International a week ago, shows that he, like all his Dutch mates, are tough to beat in the sand. The Fantic man has been in the fight every year at Arnhem, a circuit he and many GP riders practice on throughout the season. While I wouldn’t say he wins in a little over a weeks’ time, he will without question be in amongst it. He won the qualification race in Arnhem last year and finished second in the qualification race to Febvre in 2023. His moto tally (including Saturday) so far at the Arnhem circuit has been 2-4-3-1-3-4, so he WILL be fighting for major points. A win, in what might be his last ever Dutch GP, would be very well deserved.

Tim Gajser, now he is a big question mark. Another five-time World champion, but he has struggled at the Arnhem circuit over the two years we have run there. In 2023 he went 5-5-5 and last year 5-4-3, so nothing to write home about. However, he is still a man who can win on any surface and while he has nothing to gain from pushing it too hard in Arnhem, his presence alone is enough to add to the excitement of this particular Grand Prix.

As has been the case in Europe this last week, The Netherlands has been, hot, hot, hot and the ground might be different to other years, but one thing is for sure, the cream always rises to the top and in this case, the best sand riders in the world will light up the MXGP of The Netherlands. Expect a huge crowd as the organizes have gone out of their way to make sure large numbers enter the facility and large numbers get a view (more grandstands added) of what in my opinion, will be a sensational GP, maybe even one for the ages.

For me, having just moved to Arnhem three weeks ago, I am excited to jump on my bicycle, take the 20 minute trip through the Dutch forrest area and then sit back and enjoy what has been my home GP.

In my opinion, it will be Jeffrey Herlings who will defend his Arnhem victory from 2024, but if he doesn't and it is in fact Coenen, then maybe we are seeing a true changing of the guard and in any sport, that is a special moment and one that needs to be remembered.

On the other hand, if Febvre can return to his 2023 Arnhem form and win, the fight for the 2025 MXGP championship will be in full swing for those final rounds in Turkey, China and Australia and wouldn't that be something.