We said it leading into the MXGP of The Netherlands, that this GP has the potential to be the GP of the season and it didn’t let anyone down. A huge crowd, good weather and sensational racing in both the MXGP and MX2 classes, not to mention in the lower classes in women’s and EMX. Yes, anyone watching this round of the MXGP championship of 2025, got lucky.

While this facility is pretty small, and it’s difficult to fill everyone in, and the parking is miles from the circuit, the fact they can hold motocross in the surroundings of the Hoge Veluwe national park is something most non-Dutch people wouldn’t understand.

The circuit build in a forest area, with the approval of the local government says enough, and I just love it. Being that I moved to Arnhem a month or so ago, and rode my scooter to the circuit, well, for me, it is like I went to motocross heaven.

As for the event, first class in every way. Be it the circuit, the crowd, the facilities for the paddock people, the impressive media area for us, the media to do our job. Every box was ticked, but of course, what made this Grand Prix very special, was the riders, the likes of Jeffrey Herlings, Kay De Wolf, Lucas Coenen, Glenn Coldenhoff, Sasha Coenen, Andrea Adamo, and so many more.

There is no denying, the guy who didn’t win the Grand Prix, Lucas Coenen, well, he showed so much, but with a legend like Herlings to beat, he needed to be better prepared out of the gate, and he just lacked something. Maybe it was nerves, or maybe just bad luck?

“For the fans,” Coenen said. “It was nice but from my seat, it wasn’t because I was already so far away out of the gate. In the first moto, I hit the gate and in the second moto we hit handlebars. The starts weren’t great. In first moto, I was last in the first corner, and I came back. I pushed as far as I could with everything, I had but when you come from so far back, the front runners are already gone by the time you get there. I struggled big times still, I made so many mistakes, it wasn’t easy to make passes. I pushed as far as I could, made some passes and saw Jeffrey in front of me at the end but the gap was still big. I knew I had to be up front in the second moto but again, I started last, and I again had to pass everybody. Then I again saw Jeffrey, and I wanted to pass him so bad. Three years ago, I was still in EMX250, and I was really looking up to him in the sand. I was behind him there, and I was really motivated. I gave it my all, but he’s still very fast and I couldn’t get around him. I still have some work to do, but I really enjoy it every step of the way this year. We were close to win this one, but it’ll be for another time.”

As for the man who did win the Grand Prix, Jeffrey Herlings, well, he did what he has done so many times in the past, and while Coenen was faster, it was Herlings who clinched his 110th Grand Prix at home, and his last home GP on the orange bike.

“Winning here was the objective. I got lucky in the first moto when Lucas had a crash. After my good start, I could manage my pace, ride like in training while leading, and save energy for the second moto, fortunately, I needed it. I knew Lucas would be very strong in the second moto and that Tim (Gajser) wouldn’t hold the pace for the whole race. I thought Lucas was far back and it would be fine, but then he came back like a rocket. Five laps from the end, he was only three or four seconds behind me. I kept pushing, put my head down, and gave everything. I had nothing left at the end, technically or physically. It was pure determination. Not to sound arrogant, but I knew Lucas was the only rider capable of matching my speed this weekend. In the first moto, I managed more. He came from last to second, and from there I knew I had to keep an eye on him. In the second moto, I was watching him on my right from the start. The gap stayed stable at first, then gradually he came back. I couldn’t even see him anymore, and I knew he was catching up. Lucas got to five seconds, I attacked until the end, head down. I hung on until the finish, and I didn’t crash.”

What shouldn't be lost to us, the fans, is the fact, both Coenen and MX2 winner, Kay De Wolf looked up to Herlings and still have huge respect for this amazing talent. Herlings might be at the back-end of his career, but I fo one and speaking to everyone in the paddock, are more excited for 2026, because of the whole Herlings/HRC rumour. For me, 2026 might just see the best Herlings we have ever seen, even in this late stage of his career.

We all pray for a healthy off-season, a 100% JH84 and then a healthy 2026 season. If we get that, I think we might just see world title number six being won.

Then we had the MX2 victory by Kay De Wolf, another brilliant performance as he cut the points lead to Simon Langenfelder. The Nestaan Husqvarna rider is without question a talent in the sand, maybe even better than both Herlings and Coenen when it comes to technique, so his arrival in the MXGP class in 2026 is going to be well worth watching.

De Wolf storming to a flawless 1-1 on home sand; to close the MX2 title chase to within 15 points. Liam Everts backed up his teammate with gritty 4-6 finishes, securing fifth overall and strengthening Husqvarna’s manufacturers’ tally.

Race one saw de Wolf recover quickly from a mid-pack start. Slicing his way from seventh to third by lap five, he then hunted down Andrea Adamo with a decisive inside-line move. By lap twelve he was into second, and within three laps he had reeled in Sacha Coenen to take the lead in front of a roaring Dutch crowd. Once ahead, de Wolf’s composure shone through as he controlled the tempo, stretching clear to take a commanding tenth moto win of the season.

Race two delivered another masterclass from de Wolf. Patient in the early laps, he shadowed Camden McLellan before striking on lap five to take over at the front. Despite constant pressure, the Dutchman never faltered, expertly managing the gap as the track grew rougher. With his rhythm never broken, he completed a perfect 1-1 sweep by 1.7 seconds, sealing his second consecutive Grand Prix victory and narrowing Simon Längenfelder’s series lead to just 15 points.

“It’s unreal to finally get my first GP win here at home. I’ve been working so hard for this over the past few years, and having just missed out before, to finally make it happen in front of the Dutch fans is incredible. The atmosphere was unbelievable - the crowd alongside the track gave me so much energy, and their support really means the world. Winning both races here makes it even more special. The track was tough, and you could never switch off, but I felt strong all weekend and managed both motos the way I needed to. In Race 1 it was all about staying patient before making my move, and in Race 2 I just focused on being smooth and riding my own pace even with McLellan pushing hard. Closing the gap in the championship like this is exactly what we were aiming for - now it’s game on for the last four rounds. A huge thank you to the whole team and everyone who’s been behind me - this one means a lot.”

Now onto Turkey, which will be very exciting as both Coenen and De Wolf try and cut back the championship points leads of Romain Febvre and Simon Langenfelder. Anything is possible, but to match the amazing event we witnessed last weekend in Arnhem, well, that seems unlikely, but maybe we get something that will make China and Australia all the more worth watching as both the MXGP and MX2 titles go down to the wire.

Images JP/KTM and Fullspectrum/Husky