In front of a huge crowd, Red Bull KTM factory rider Lucas Coenen has put down the first marker with victory in the opening international race of the 2026 season, held in Sardinia today.

The Belgian teenager scored 1-1 results and was in a class of his own. Second overall was five-time world champion Tim Gajser didn’t look comfortable on his Yamaha and picked up 5-2 results and Oliver Oriol with 3-4 scores was third overall.

Lucas Coenen: I mean, the pass was big and you need to show who is the boss and I showed him I put in some intensity. It was difficult with the lap riders, one hit me and the track was difficult. It was a good test.

Tim Gajser: I mean, first race I was a bit tight, and I had a bad start. Also got some arm pump, but I was happy, the second one I was okay, riding with the guys at the front. Still, some work to do, but we are going the right way.

The final race of the day was the second MX1 race and it was on a perfect track and under sunshine that Adamo with the holeshot and Geerts and Bonacorsi down in the first corner and both struggling to get going. Adamo led Gajser, Pancar, Forato, and Coenen.

Adamo not able to shake Gajser, with Pancar and Coenen fighting for third place after the Belgian had passed Forato. Coenen also passed Pancar to move into third place and is charging towards Gajser.

Coenen dived around Gajser and then in a while ride also passed Adamo for the lead. The young Belgian was pushing very hard. Gajser all over the Italian for second place. Coenen just riding off into the distance as Adamo and Gajser fight over the scraps.

Gajser looking in all sorts of trouble on his new machine and it seems clear he still has some work to do to get comfortable on the Yamaha. It is a tough circuit, so maybe Mantova next week will be a little easier.

Adamo was six seconds behind Coenen, with Gajser another five seconds back in third place, then came Oriol, Forato, Guadagnini, Pancar. With laps running out, Gajser passed Adamo for second place as the Italian dropped out of the results and was seen pushing his bike back to the mechanics area.

Coenen just clicked off the laps and won easily from Gajser and Forato with Oriol fourth, then Guadagnini and Pancar. A perfect start for the world number two, although he did have some wild moments throughout the day.

Full results here: MGM Timing