It doesn’t take a genius to understand, 18-year-old Lucas Coenen is very special. Now, when we say Special, we mean, Ken Roczen and Jeffrey Herlings special, when they arrived on the scene in 2009 and 2010, and when Jett Lawrence arrived on the scene in USA in 2019. We can maybe add Jorge Prado, on his Assen arrival in 2016, when he dared battle Jeffrey Herlings in the sand. This isn't just any type of special.

Of course, names like Stefan Everts, Antonio Cairoli, Ricky Carmichael, James Stewart, Rick Johnson, Bob Hannah come to mind when we talk all-time greats, but I don’t know, there is just something different about the vibe young 18-year-olds have in the last 20 years. I bit like some fresh air when the sport needs it.

The way Coenen defended his lead in both motos last weekend wasn’t just a little impressive and as Jeffrey Herlings mentioned in the press conference, the nerve of this teenager is just unbelievable. The way he can remain cool and calm and mistake free, it was something to watch, and I think the whole motocross World sat in awe of this Belgian talent.

"I compare him to Prado," Herlings said. "Regarding talent. I need to watch what I say, because Jorge is kind of a friend of mine, but I feel like Lucas is even more complete. Like last year, actually, I shouldn’t say, I think they are both very talented (He turned to Febvre, who said, “I know what you mean”, and both laughed). Lucas is very young and there are the rumours about him going to US, but whatever he does, he will be very talented and somebody to look at for the next 10 to 15 years, if he stays injury free. Everyone races a bit different, with Tony (Cairoli) he was a bit sneaky, and we had lovely battles and with Jorge, he has mirrors on his bike, and he could smell where you could be coming. I have battles so many guys and everyone has their own little and you have to get used to it. I have had so many injures, and I want to race them clean and so far, they have raced me clean. I just want respect, and I give respect back."

Of course, Coenen didn’t get the GP win, which went to all-time great, Jeffrey Herlings, but damn, he came close and finally reached a dream of his, since he was a little kid.

Back a couple of months ago, I asked Lucas about one of his hero’s in Herlings and his response was just a dream, which turned into a reality last weekend.

He is a legend and for me, I always look to Jeffrey as his style and in the sand, for me, he is still the fastest man on the planet in the sand. For me it is nice, but I also take information from other riders, to learn and build my speed.

The Dream of Racing Herlings in the sand

Oh yes, that would be a dream. Honestly, battling him in the sand, which would be the nicest thing. That would be a dream. For me, when I was watching as a kid, him racing in the sand, I could see myself behind him chasing, or him coming from the back, that already gives me goosebumps, because, when he is in form, he is a man on a mission. I would learn a lot from that also and I would take all the information and download it for experience.

Saturday Qualifier Win in Germany

I struggled with arm pump, and I don't know why. Hopefully its just Saturday and I will be okay tomorrow. I tried to control the arm-pump, and I didn't know Jeffrey was so close at the end, and I got the pit board, and I thought I have to make that last corner good.

Moto One Victory and Battle with Herlings

I was waiting for this moment, to see Jeffrey behind me and nice to win in front of him. This moto was fun, and I got to beat the beast mode. I think in the second moto we make a good battle.

The Day in Germany

I did two good motos, two good starts. You know when you are in the lead, and you hit ‘traffic’ then you can make a mistake because those guys don’t know you are coming. I had some sketchy moments. Jeffrey had some good lines. I looked over at him across the jump and I thought ‘maybe I still have it…’ but he came through the inside. 2nd, and 2nd overall with the same points. I’m just enjoying myself and I’m really happy to share a podium with these guys. When I was small, I looked up to them and now I’m on the podium with them and fighting with them also.

Battling with Febvre and Herlings

I am so happy to share the podium with them, because when I was a kid, I was watching them and now I am on the box with them and fighting with them. I was leading and we came to lap traffic, and I didn’t do that so well and Jeffrey had some really good lines, and I didn’t see that coming. I thought I could keep the lead, but then he had me and I finished second overall. Same points as Jeffrey and I am enjoying it. In Kegums I will just go and do my best, because Jeffrey and also Romain are good in Kegums.

Juan Pablo Acevedo images