HERLINGS TAKES CONTROL IN THE MOUNTAINS
Photos by MXGP.
Round 5 of the 2026 MXGP Championship headed to the Pietramurata circuit in Italy, where hardpack conditions, brutal braking bumps, and technical lines pushed riders hard.
With the championship starting to take shape, this one mattered and the race delivered.
MXGP.
In MXGP, it was Jeffrey Herlings who came out on top, putting together a solid 1-2 performance across the two races to secure the overall win. He kicked things off with a Race 1 victory ahead of Romain Febvre and Tom Vialle, before backing it up with second in Race 2 behind Tim Gajser.
Gajser showed serious pace in the second moto to grab the win, while Lucas Coenen rounded out the podium in Race 2. Despite missing the overall podium, Coenen still holds onto the championship lead, but his lead has shrunk, with Herlings right on his heels after this result.
Overall Results.
1st #84 Jeffrey Herlings
2nd #243 Tim Gajser
3rd #16 Tom Vialle
MX2.
In MX2, it was a dominant performance from Sacha Coenen, who finally converted his speed into a perfect weekend. After showing strong pace all season, he backed it up with two race wins and the overall victory in Trentino.
He took Race 1 ahead of Mathis Valin and Guillem Farres, then followed it up with another win in Race 2, with Farres and Simon Längenfelder completing the top three.
For South Africa, Camden McLellan had a consistent outing, finishing 8th and 11th in the races for 10th overall. Solid points in a stacked MX2 field.
Overall Results.
1st #19 Sacha Coenen
2nd #99 Guillem Farres
3rd #317 Mathis Valin
Camden McLellan – 10th
With five rounds down, the championship is properly heating up. Coenen still leads MXGP, but Herlings and Gajser are closing in fast, while in MX2, Coenen’s perfect weekend puts him firmly in control heading into the next round.
Next up, the series heads to France for Round 6 at Lacapelle Marival on 24 May.
