Coenen Brothers Shine at the MXGP: A Report from the 2025 Motocross of Nations
In an impressive debut, Lucas Coenen, fresh from a successful 2024 MX2 season where he secured second place behind teammate Kay de Wolf, ascended to the premier 450cc class with the Red Bull KTM team. The 18-year-old faced formidable opponents, including multiple MXGP champions Tim Gajser, Romain Febvre, and Jeffrey Herlings. Coenen showcased his potential, finishing second to Febvre in the 2025 championship standings—a noteworthy achievement for a rookie.
The Motocross of Nations saw an electrifying return for the Belgian team, featuring young talents Lucas and Sacha Coenen alongside Liam Everts. Both Coenen twins had faced injuries in the previous season that barred them from competing, but were back in action in 2025.
The first moto of the event highlighted a thrilling duel between Lucas Coenen and Jett Lawrence. Coenen secured the holeshot but subsequently relinquished the lead to Lawrence, who maintained a steady pace to clinch victory. Post-race, the two riders exchanged a handshake, embodying the sportsman spirit.
However, the race proved challenging for the rest of Team Belgium. Sacha Coenen was performing well until a rear brake malfunction derailed his efforts on the final lap. In a dramatic turn, an unavoidable collision with Justin Cooper, who was unable to see Sacha’s fallen bike, resulted in a DNF for Sacha, marking him 20th in the results.
Australia’s Kyle Webster faced his own challenges, crashing in the first turn and finishing in 15th, ultimately tipping the advantage back toward Team Belgium.
As the dust settles on this year’s Motocross of Nations, the Coenen brothers’ performances signal a bright future for Belgian motocross, while underscoring the unpredictability that defines the sport.
