As the media sat waiting for Tim Gajser and Tom Vialle to arrive for the Sunday afternoon press conference, Lucas Coenen sat waiting. The look on his face was one of a man who was not just a little pissed off, but pretty angry and it was hard not to feel for him.

Juan Pablo Acevedo photos

When veteran journalist Adam Wheeler (trying to make light of the vibe) asked Lucas if Sasha was paying for dinner that night (Sasha won MX2), Lucas didn’t look amused and Wheeler retreated to his seat, looking a little embarrassed. This wasn’t the time for small talk, and while GP winner Jeffrey Herlings sat smiling and answering questions, Coenen sat waiting, just the chance to get out of that media room and get as far away from the journalists as he could.

It was interesting during the press conference how on a couple of occasions, Herlings would take a glance over at the Belgian youngster, maybe trying to see what type of mental damage he had caused the KTM man. The wise old fox looking at Coenen as his prey.

Coenen had embarrassed Herlings somewhat in some races this year and I am sure the Dutchman was loving the pain and anger he had caused his young rival. The mental game in 2026 is going to be more than a little special and I think it might even heat up.

Coming into Trentino, I think most of us expected it to be a tough GP. We wrote last week (see story here) that this will be the chance for guys like Herlings and Tim Gajser to maybe get a break on the teenager, who had dazzled them with his speed in rounds two, three and four, in Spain, Switzerland and Sardinia.

Sure enough, as early as Saturday morning, it was obvious this was going to be difficult and as he struggled to stay close to the times of Herlings, he looked frustrated as he returned to the mechanics area, waving his arms and wondering what they could do to help him. Sure enough, his comments on Sunday night didn’t surprise anyone.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect too much coming into this weekend because the track doesn’t really suit my style. I had a couple of crashes in the first race and another small mistake in the second, so it wasn’t the easiest weekend. Still, I’m happy to be here, healthy and taking some points, because that’s on your bad days that you win championship. Now we have a break, and I’ll go back to work and come back stronger. I didn’t want to have to make too many passes, but I had two crashes in moto one. In the second moto I was trying to settle in and being cool but somehow, I tipped over and then they passed me. I can’t complain. I’m healthy and now we have some weeks off. I’m going to go back to work and let’s see what’s coming.”

The opening moto, Coenen started well, running near the front, but then a crash dropped him to near last and while he put in an amazing race, he lost valuable points to Herlings in the championship battle. Second moto, again on the deck, and again, a poor result.

“I mean, I got a decent start, but first lap I made some good passes and was behind Romain, and I was settling in, but then I got on my ear, and you cannot do that here. Then another rider came up the inside, and I had another big one. I want to get the holeshot (in moto two) and ride how I can. The Second moto I was just trying to keep my line and to not make a mistake but as we know I went on the deck. So, it was not good, but the championship is won on the bad days. I have got to be happy about the second moto and just look forward.”

As for his battle with Herlings for the major prize, he knows that he isn’t racing just anyone and he knows that there will be times he wins and times Herlings wins, but that day in Trentino, he wasn’t close to fighting for a GP victory.

“As riders we want to beat each other. I mean it’s hard to give a compliment to your opponent, but in Riola I rode fast. Like we know Jeffrey is the best sand rider in the world. So, I can’t say no for what he said (Herlings said Lucas would have even beaten Jett Lawrence in Sardinia) but I mean, coming in here I knew these three guys would be on it. Jeffrey and Tim for sure won the most at this track. So, I was expecting them to be up front. I was just expecting to be around them a little bit but yeah, that’s how it is.”

Now a five-week break and returning for another hard pack circuit, but you can be sure this time, the teenager will be more than prepared to put his own slice of luck into this 2026 MXGP title race. A poor result last weekend isn’t going to cause him too much concern; it will only make him hungrier and better prepared for the French GP at Lacapelle Marival on May 24.