Lucas Coenen’s (KTM) pain: Pit Beirer refutes speculation

There are still five events left on the 2026 Motocross World Championship calendar, with action continuing this weekend at the Swedish Grand Prix in Uddevalla. Lucas Coenen will once again be absent from the paddock there: Red Bull KTM’s MXGP star was already sidelined at Lommel, having previously withdrawn from the rounds at Foxhills and Loket due to pain.

The official statement, which was also published by Motocross World Championship promoter Infront Moto Racing, refers to a problem with Coenen’s sciatic nerve. As the Belgian’s problems have been dragging on for some time, speculation and conjecture are springing up like mushrooms. There is even a rumour doing the rounds that the 19-year-old may need an operation because a bone splinter from his injured left pelvic bone is the cause of the pain.

KTM’s head of racing, Pit Beirer, denied such claims in an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com. “The swelling was generally putting pressure on the nerve. When he exerted himself, the muscles put even more pressure on it, and that was always the end of it,” explained the former Motocross World Championship runner-up. “Walking normally without putting any weight on it was never a problem. But as soon as the nerve was pinched, the pain was unbearable. We assume he won’t need an operation.”

The MXGP title has slipped out of Lucas Coenen’s reach due to the problems he has faced since the US round; Honda works rider and World Championship leader Jeffrey Herlings is already 109 points ahead ahead of the races in Sweden.

Another question on the minds of those in charge at KTM is which class MX2 World Champion Simon Längenfelder will compete in next year. The Regnitzlosau native, currently fourth in the overall standings and in the thick of the title race, could, at the age of 22, ride for another season in the smaller class. KTM is leaving it up to him to decide whether he wants to ride in MX2 or MXGP in 2027, and will soon let him test the new 450cc bike. His Red Bull KTM team-mate Andrea Adamo has already completed extensive testing on the 2027 bike and is set to race it at Uddevalla.

KTM-Motorsportdirektor Pit Beirer

Foto: KTM Factory Racing