MXGP Turkey schedule: Will Jeffrey Herlings (Honda) be crowned champion early?

The Afyonkarahisar circuit, situated some 250 kilometres south-west of the Turkish capital Ankara, is hosting a World Championship round for the ninth time this weekend. The first MXGP winner on this track was Jeffrey Herlings. ‘The Bullet’ is also the most successful rider on this track, with five victories to his name. The Dutchman travels to Turkey with a 143-point lead and could clinch his sixth World Championship title early at this venue.

Weather forecast for Afyonkarahisar

It is set to remain clear and sunny in Afyon throughout the weekend. The forecast maximum temperatures are 28 degrees on Saturday and 31 degrees Celsius on Sunday under cloudless skies.

Herlings on course for an early title win

The title could be decided after the first race. ‘The Bullet’ heads into the event with a 143-point lead. If he can extend this lead to at least 145 points before the second race, he will be crowned champion. Should he fail to do so, he will have another chance in the second race. He would then only need a 120-point lead to clinch the title. Herlings himself, however, wants nothing to do with such calculations. Let us recall the year 2014, when he dominated the MX2 class and was even able to secure the title four Grands Prix before the final round. Yet he crashed at Loket, where he had actually intended to celebrate his World Championship title, and in the end Jordi Tixier became World Champion.

World Championship standings after round 16 of 19

1. Jeffrey Herlings (NL), Honda, 795 points

2. Romain Febvre (F), Kawasaki, 652, (-143)

3. Tim Gajser (SLO), Yamaha, 611, (-184)

4. Lucas Coenen (B), KTM, 566, (-229)

5. Andrea Adamo (I), KTM, 522, (-273)

6. Ruben Fernandez (E), Honda, 502, (-293)

7. Tom Vialle (F), Honda, 496, (-299)

8. Maxime Renaux (F), Yamaha, 449, (-346)

9. Kay de Wolf (NL), Husqvarna, 428, (-367)

10. Pauls Jonass (LV), Kawasaki, 333, (-462)

Further riders withdraw

The already small field of riders in both classes has been further depleted by injuries. Kay de Wolf (Husqvarna), Maxime Renaux (Yamaha), Lucas Coenen (KTM) and Brent van Doninck (Fantic) are unable to travel to Turkey due to injury. However, Alberto Forato (Fantic) is returning to the competition. In the MX2 class, HRC works rider Valerio Lata is out due to injury.

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MX2: Can Sacha Coenen still pull it off?

Things remain exciting in the MX2 class. Spanish Triumph works rider Guillem Farres holds a 25-point lead over Red Bull KTM works rider Sacha Coenen. Sacha must – and will – go on the attack to keep his title hopes alive.

MX2 World Championship standings after Round 16 of 19

1. Guillem Farres (E), Triumph, 749 points

2. Sacha Coenen (B), KTM, 724, (-25)

3. Camden Mc Lellan (ZA), Triumph, 712, (-37)

4. Simon Längenfelder (D), KTM, 674, (-75)

5. Liam Everts (B), Husqvarna, 648, (-101)

6. Janis Martins Reisulis (LV), Yamaha, 587, (-162)

7. Karlis Alberts Reisulis (LV), Yamaha, 473, (-276)

8. Valerio Lata (I), Honda, 414, (-335)

9. Mathis Valin (F), Kawasaki, 352, (-397)

10. Julius Mikula (CZ), KTM, 352, (-397)

Support programme

As part of the supporting programme, the riders in the EMX125 and EMX250 classes will compete in their final rounds. Although the title races in both classes have already been decided in favour of Ricardo Bauer and Francisco Garcia, the battle for the podium places remains exciting.

Here’s how to follow the races*):

Saturday, 5 September 2026

Sunday, 6 September 2026

*) All times are in CEST and subject to change