MXoN preview and schedule in Ernée: France, Spain or the others?

Following on from 2005, 2015 and 2023, Ernée will host the most prestigious race of the year – the 79th Motocross of Nations – for the fourth time in its history.

Perfect weather forecast

Pleasant late-summer conditions are expected in Ernée, with daytime highs of between 21 and 23 degrees. The sun is set to shine frequently, particularly on Sunday. However, the low afternoon sun could cause problems for the riders.

France start as favourites

Host nation France are the favourites. MXGP World Championship runner-up Romain Febvre (Kawasaki) leads the French national team. He has already won the Motocross of Nations four times. MX2 rider Mathis Valin returns to competition following his injury lay-off, and Tom Vialle will be competing on a 450cc bike at the MXoN for the first time. Vialle finished on the podium in the last five Grands Prix of the season.

Strong Spanish line-up

Spain are likely to be among the French team’s strongest rivals, featuring the newly crowned SMX World Champion Jorge Prado (KTM), MX2 World Champion Guillem Farres (Triumph) and EMX250 Champion Francisco Garcia (Kawasaki).

Team USA can only hope

Team USA had to reshuffle their line-up at short notice following the injury-enforced withdrawal of Chance Hymas (Honda). Cooper Webb (Yamaha), Levi Kitchen (Kawasaki) and Julien Beaumer (KTM) make up the team, and there is a big question mark hanging over Julien Beaumer, who will be contesting his first race on a 450cc machine. Webb is already familiar with Ernée from 2015, and the Motocross of Nations can also take on a life of its own. In any case, the US team’s performance is set to be exciting.

Team Belgium with a question mark

Team Belgium is once again relying on Lucas and Sacha Coenen (KTM) as well as Liam Everts (Husqvarna). The key factor will be how fit Lucas Coenen actually is following his injury problems.

The Netherlands with Jeffrey Herlings

The Netherlands are also well-positioned with Jeffrey Herlings, Glenn Coldenhoff and Roan van de Moosdijk. Herlings will compete in the Open class, whilst Coldenhoff is back on an MX2 for the first time since 2014. ‘Team Oranje’s’ result will depend on him, but lightweight Coldenhoff will certainly not have forgotten how to ride a 250cc bike.

Defending champions Australia without their stars

Australia won the last two editions with Jett Lawrence, Hunter Lawrence and Kyle Webster. In Ernée, however, the entire winning trio is missing. Jed Beaton, Alex Larwood and Aaron Tanti are competing together for Australia at the MXoN for the first time.

Team Germany

After Supercross champion Ken Roczen (Suzuki) and Simon Längenfelder (KTM) have withdrawn, the German national team will compete in Ernée with the two Sarholz-KTM riders Tom Koch (MXGP) and Noah Ludwig (Open), as well as Kosak-KTM rider Valentin Kees in the MX2 class.

Team Switzerland

Jeremy Seewer (KTM) will also be switching back to the 250cc class in Ernée. Valentin Guillod (Yamaha) is travelling from the USA and will compete in the MXGP. Kevin Brumann (Husqvarna) is also a force to be reckoned with on his day, and this team could spring a surprise.

Team Austria

Austria will field Michael Kratzer (Honda, MXGP), EMX125 champion Ricardo Bauer (KTM, MX2) and Michael Sandner (Husqvarna, Open).

What’s happening on Friday

As early as Friday, before the race, the starting positions for the qualifying races will be drawn at 11.00. This process has often been criticised in the past, but in a way, this procedure is also part of the tradition of the Nationencross. From 4.30 pm, the team presentation begins – the ‘warm-up’ ahead of the most important event of the year.

Qualifying on Saturday

On Saturday, 32 nations will battle it out for a place in the main races. The top 19 teams qualify directly, whilst the final starting place will be decided on Sunday morning in the B final.

An exciting Sunday

The Motocross of Nations consists of three races: MXGP/MX2, MX2/Open and MXGP/Open. A rider’s position corresponds to their points total. Of a team’s six individual results, the best five count towards the team’s score. The team with the lowest total points total wins.

Here’s how to follow the races*):

Friday, 2 October 2026

Saturday, 3 October

Sunday, 4 October